1 Tim 2:12 Woman's Silence

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1 Tim 2:12 (KJV)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

woman sitting on brown rock during daytime

T.A.:

My wife and some other sisters were having a Bible study in Hualien. A non-Christian man who knew one of the women came in and sat down. My wife stopped teaching and tried to tell him that she could not teach with a man present.  She said it embarrassed the man and he left and never saw him again.  She feels she handled the situation wrongly.  She thinks now that she should have kept teaching and after the class explained what the Bible teaches and encouraged him to attend the men's classes. That  might be the best way to handle that situation.


The word "silence " in I Timothy 2:12 follows "teach,  nor to usurp authority over the man "  This describes a situation where a woman robs authority that God has not given her. It seems like it depends on her attitude and the manner in which she speaks. If she is overbearing and a "Miss , I know everything and you should listen type attitude " then certainly she is usurping authority.  From Acts 18:26 we read that Priscilla with her husband privately taught Apollos. Wives can remind their husbands of Bible teachings, but it seems clear to me that she must watch her attitude and not put herself "over" the man.  


Concerning the word "silence " Mr. Thayer says, " quietness: descriptive of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others. "  Mr. Vine in his dictionary says , " it indicates tranquility arising from within,  causing no disturbance to others. "   In 1st Corinthians 14:34  the word for "keep silence" means "to hold one's peace," according to Mr Thayer and Mr Vine.  


We know that sisters are also supposed to sing in church services and if  a woman decides to become a Christian she must confess her faith in Christ before men.  And so it is not always total silence; it depends on the situation.  However,  certainly a sister can not publicly teach a mixed audience of males and females. She can not lead them in song or prayers.  I don't think it is  proper for her to serve the Lord's supper if she stands before the church.  She should not take the lead over men.


It is true that both men and women received spiritual gifts by the laying on of the hands of the Apostles(Acts 8:18; 1st Corinthians 11:5). However,  I know of no instance they did such "side by side "  They might have done so in Corinth (1st Corinthians 14:26) but Paul stopped it (1st Corinthians 14:34).  It is possible that Deborah (Judges 4:4) and Anna (Luke 2:36-38) prophesied before men in Old Testament times. But the Spirit through Paul's hand made it clear that it is not the woman's place to teach or usurp authority over the man. 


Because of this,  it is clear to me that after Paul wrote 1st Corinthians and 1st Timothy then such would have stopped if it was taking place.





a Christian, writer and homemaker

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