1 Timothy 2:12
King James Version
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach,
nor to usurp authority over the man,
but to be in silence.
This is a supporting article to the previous article, "On WOMEN pastors".
What did apostle Paul mean, when he said, "I suffer not a woman to teach"?
First, we take things in context.
What does it mean to be silent?
It's not to speak.
What does it mean to teach?
JESUS tells us:
Matthew 28:19-20
King James Version
19 Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Apostle Paul tells us:
2 Timothy 4:2-5
King James Version
2 Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things,
endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist,
make full proof of thy ministry.
To "teach", in this context, means to TALK.
To teach all nations, baptize, teach what JESUS has commanded His apostles, preach the word, reprove, rebuke, exhort, do the work of an evangelist.
That would entail a lot of talking, ministering, and evangelizing.
Now, you see what apostle Paul meant when he commanded women to be "silent", not "usurp" man's authority, and not to "teach".
Are women, therefore, to take offense?
When the LORD JESUS made it clear what it means to teach, as He taught His apostles to?
Other Bible versions will give greater clarity, towards this context:
1 Timothy 2:12
Amplified Bible
12 I do not allow a woman to [a]teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [in the congregation].
1 Timothy 2:12
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
12 I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to remain in quietness and keep silence [in religious assemblies].
1 Timothy 2:12
Living Bible
12 I never let women teach men or lord it over them. Let them be silent in your church meetings.
In SUMMARY "I suffer not a woman to teach", and "to be in silence", mean:
to remain quiet [in the congregation]
she is to remain in quietness and keep silence [in religious assemblies]
Let them be silent in your church meetings.
Apostle Paul was clear:
1 Corinthians 14:34-36
King James Version
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches:
for it is not permitted unto them to speak;
but they are commanded to be under obedience
as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing,
let them ask their husbands at home:
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What?
came the word of God out from you?
or came it unto you only?
Why, then, does the church allow women pastors?
It defies what the Bible taught us.
If they do, they are not legit churches.
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