I’m beginning to see that my focus is incomplete and I need to see the complete picture. I don’t want liberalism and I don’t want any strands of legalism. I want the genuine truth of the eternal Word of the living God.
I heard Pastor Brett McBride (Peoples Church) speak on 1 Timothy 2 with references to other Scriptures also. I seemed to see those verses in a different way as full-rounded thoughts were coming into my mind. I discussed the matter at length with the Holy Spirit.
Let’s ask the Lord to open our minds to truth and shut them firmly against error – then we can dig deeper into very familiar verses.
Acts 2:3-4 – On the Day of Pentecost tongues resembling fire settled on each one of them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. None left out because of gender.
Adam – Paul – the 11 disciples had apostolic authority and all including women are commanded to submit to that authority. Eve did not submit and was deceived (1 Timothy 2:14). This is a serious warning to women concerning the authority of God’s Word.
1 Timothy 2:8 Men to lift up holy hands and pray without anger and disputing. Why did Paul say that? Because they were fighting and disputing.
(1 Timothy 9) Women dress modestly and don’t wear inappropriate jewellery.
(1 Timothy 11) Let a woman learn in quietness and submission.
(1 Timothy 12) No woman to teach or have authority and to be quiet during the service. Why did Paul say these things? We must consider the background and culture of these women.
The religion of Ephesus was controlled by women. The magnificent temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the world. Thousands of scantily dressed prostitutes were available at the temple and all adorned with expensive, showy jewellery. Because of false teachers this culture was creeping into the church. Women who had been saved and had come out of that culture, were slipping back and copying that dress code. This filled men with lust and other women with envy – a total distraction from the message of God’s Word.
These women were used to making their voices heard and although they had very little knowledge of Christian teaching, they would shout out to question or disagree and interrupt the Pastor during the service. So Paul said – be quiet, listen and learn. They were in no condition to teach or have a leadership position.
Throughout the N.T. many women have been effective for the Lord not because they were women but because of the spiritual gifts God had given them.
Romans 16:1 – Phoebe, a deaconess at the church in Cenchrea. The word deaconess (Greek) is the same word used in 1 Timothy 1:3 for Timothy. She instructed and had a position in leadership.
Aquila and Priscilla, Acts 18:26. This husband and wife instructed Apollus and are mentioned in other Scriptures.
Andronicus and Junia (feminine name) Romans 16:7 probably husband and wife – were fellow-prisoners with Paul.
Acts 21:8-9 – Philip the evangelist, one of the seven first deacons, had four daughters who prophesied - - not because they were women but because God had given them the gift of prophecy.
Cultural feminism has invaded the Church and dishonours women who only want to serve the Lord with their God-given gifts. It is carnal women who demand positions for women with no concern for God’s will or the appropriate gifting by the Holy Spirit.
1 Timothy 2:12 – not usurp authority. (Dictionary – to force possession without right, to interfere with the unction, power, right of another). If women usurp the authority of church leadership rather than submit, they are violating authority of God’s Word and choosing to be slaves to the culture of the satanic world system. Hebrews 13:7 –Remember the authority of your leaders.
If women want women elders etc., just because there are none, that is a carnal desire, a badly distorted focus and plays right into the hand of Satan who schemes to distract focus and (1 Corinthians 3:3) and brings division. It is a sin against God to focus on position rather than the appropriate gifting for the position. It is setting human wisdom above God and that is idolatry.
It is obvious that there are more men than women in leadership positions and there is an excellent reason. From 1 Timothy 2:15 the Lord gave me a beautiful insight. We all know that years ago many women died in childbirth but this tells us that the lives of obedient Christian women will be spared. Why? Because the God-given role of Mother is every bit as important and equal in value as the God-given role of Elder. Children (Psalms 127:3) are a gift from the Lord and who can foretell how great a benefit that GIFT will be to the world? When Susannah was caring for her 18 children did she even dream that 2 of the Wesley boys would be such a blessing? When Mrs. Graham was pregnant with Billy did she suspect that her baby boy would be an evangelist to the world?
So – let’s keep our eyes (Hebrews 12:2-3) on Jesus and strive (Ephesians 4:3) to keep the unity produced by the Holy Spirit in the power of peace.
BECAUSE
When there is (Psalms 133:1-3) the fragrance of unity – that is where the Lord commands His blessing. No unity - - - no blessing.
