Deep Dive With Q&A On Sermon From 1 Timothy 2:8-15

SUMMARY REVIEW

1 Timothy 2:8–15 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting [disputing]. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness [appropriateness] and sobriety [self-control]; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the [a] woman learn in silence [quietness/peacefulness] with all subjection [honoring authority]. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp [exercise] authority over the [a] man, but to be in silence [quietness/peacefulness]. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was [came to be] in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she [the woman]shall be saved [from being deceived] in [through (Gk:dia)] childbearing, if they [the man and the woman] continue in faith and charity [love] and holiness with sobriety [self-control].

This points back to 1 Timothy 1:5; 2:8, 9-10, and  bases its argument on Genesis 2:7,15-24; 1:27-28; 3:1-21.

Genesis 2:15–24 15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress [work] it and to keep[guard/watch over] it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying… 18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help [who is] meet [fit] for him. 

It is God’s good design for men to lead and protect with the authority of God’s Word as men and women together represent God and His rule in all the world.

Genesis 1:27–28  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Men and women are to compliment one another, not confound or counter one another. Christ’s church is called to reflect God’s good design of men and women to all the world as we live out the gospel. Plainly put, women are not to lead the church as pastors and elders, and women are not to teach over the man by teaching or preaching to the gathered church.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Churches of men and women who continue in faith, love, and holiness with self-control save women from falling into the same deceit as had overcome Eve : stepping into the place of Adam’s God-given role of leading and doing the work of protective oversight by the Word of God.

OBJECTIONS THAT TRY HARD BUT FALL SHORT

1) In Christ, there is neither male nor female. (Galatians 3:38)

Galatians 3:26–29  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither [                                             ] Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one [                                      ] in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and [                                       ] heirs according to the promise.

Context: Galatians 1:6-7; 2:11-14; 20-3:1; 5:1-3; 6:13-15; Cross reference: Colossians 3:8-4:1.

2) Women teaching was only forbidden in this local or similar situation because the women were teaching heresies according to an “over-realized eschatology” and a wealthy “New Roman Woman” trend that lent itself toward promiscuity, abandoning marriage and childrearing (4:3), and trying to domineer over men. 

THE FOUR TEXTUAL REALITIES SHARED ON SUNDAY:

1.     The instruction is for men and women in churches “every where” or “in every place.” 

2.    The proceeding seven verses call the church universally to pray for all men, kings, and authorities so that we can live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. 

3.    The unit of verses 8-15 begin and end with a call for men and women to be holy and self-controlled (sobriety). This should govern our interpretation. It is a unit of text.

4.    Lastly, verses 13-15 give a grounding argument that is based on what took place with the first humans before they fell into sin (Genesis 1-3). So, it is instruction for churches “every where” and in every age.

3) Much of the concern was the church being identified by the outside community as sympathizing with “The New Roman Woman,” so if women teaching and having authority over the men does not hinder the church’s testimony before society, we can have women teaching and leading over the men and church.

4) The root Greek word for “authority” (αὐθεντέω) in 2:12 has a wide range of uses, from “ruling” to “originating” to “murdering,” so it could be that only abusive or domineering authority is being forbidden.

QUESTIONS?

GOOD IMPLICATIONS

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