"Women Keep Silent"—A Misunderstanding

Breaking down 1 Timothy 2

I think it’s high-time for me to start this series on women in the Bible. It is truly a shame that so much of the body of Christ still has the argument that women only hold a certain space in the church—in silence. I have been in this space since I was nine years old. Yes, nine.

My father included me in church leadership from the moment he could influence me. I played in his worship band beginning at the age of nine. I transitioned into leading teen worship for our church and another local church. I transitioned into helping youth or working in children’s ministry. During my adult life I have been involved in various leadership positions throughout the church. I have seen it all—the too lax, and the overbearing.

There is, indeed, a balance. But it is not the dictatorship that so many have been brought up believing. In fact, the body of Christ gets a lot wrong but that’s the beauty of Christ, He is perfect, and we are not. It is the process of sanctification. Sometimes it’s messy. But there is beauty from ashes. We are here to edify one another, and edify the church. It’s a process, but a lovely one. It’s the whole reason Paul wrote letters to the church, not because he was condemning the church, but because they needed the reminder of right from wrong.

And so, I’ve heard every version of “women in the church” that there is. Even some I, myself, raise an eyebrow too. But probably the most common false doctrine is that women can’t lead in churches or a church setting. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Women can absolutely be pastors, deacons (servants), family ministers, worship leaders, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, and more.

But today, specifically, we’re going to break down 1 Timothy 2:12-15. This is the one that everyone likes to use against women specifically in the church setting. The amount of hypocrisy that surrounds it should tell us all we need to know when we hear someone speak against women in the church. But I digress. I’ll just share with you information that is very very clear.

An Important Reminder

Chapters did not exist in the Bible until the 1300s. Verses did not exist in the Bible until the 1500s. And they did not appear in the Bible-chapters and verses together—until the late 1500s. Before this, the Bible text was created to be read as a book, not by chapters and verses.

The reason so many manipulate and don’t understand scripture isn’t because they aren’t smart enough. It’s because they haven’t read the book. It’s one thing to read verses. It’s another thing to read the story. The whole story.

If you sat down and read the whole book from cover to cover, without years or months spanning in between, you would very clearly understand this topic. No questions.

The Bible has always been a book of books. Women have always been prominent in just about every book. Women had major roles in the Bible. You just wait until we get on the subject of submission in marriage—watch all the heads turn and emotional breakdowns when our ivory towers crumble.

Another important reminder—pastors were never created to be the only leader of a church. The New Testament church is structured as this: elders, apostles, prophets, and THEN teachers/pastors. Another main reason women can absolutely be teachers and pastors, prophets, and more. They fall under headship.

A Breakdown of 1 Timothy 2:12

Are you ready? Here we go! Don’t take yourself so seriously, I hope you’ll find this really fun and interesting.

Let’s first start with King James. A reminder that King James manipulated a lot of scriptures during his time to fit his ideologies. However, his translators did an excellent job at translating and keeping it safe in the Bible itself. Let’s be sure we’re looking at the scripture, not other people’s ideologies, aka, the doctrine of demons.

1 Timothy 2:12 (KJV)

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Let’s break down the word “authority”. But before that I need to remind you that we have ALL AUTHORITY IN CHRIST. We have been given authority from the King of Kings to do His kingdom work. We have not been given authority to rule over our spouse (husband or wife).

Authority

Greek - αὐθεντέω        
authenteō

Definition of Biblical usage:

1. one who with his own hands kills another or himself

2. one who acts on his own authority, autocratic

3. an absolute master

4. to govern, exercise dominion over one

I think we need to stop here for a moment. The very clear Biblical definition of authority is when someone acts on their own accord, or someone who exercises dominion over someone.

This isn’t a broad definition, this is a very clear definition of what authority is. This is a person who doesn’t involve anyone in their learning, teaching, or leadership moves. This is literally someone who has no accountability, which should be NO ONE in the church. There is no scripture that says men should have total authority over women in the church, let’s make that very clear right now. And don't even try to come at me with the whole “the head of every woman is man” thing. Not even remotely the same thing.

Continuing…

Strongs Concordance Definition:

αὐθεντέω authentéō, ow-then-teh'-o; (a worker); to act of oneself, i.e. (figuratively) dominate:—usurp authority over.

The term “usurp” is pretty dramatic. This is what used to happen throughout history during wars or when one kingdom member would literally overthrow a governor or prominent leader. A rebel. An anarchist. In a general church setting, this isn’t happening.

In later Greek writings one who does a thing himself, the author (τῆς πράξεως, Polybius 23, 14, 2, etc.); one who acts on his own authority, autocratic, equivalent to αὐτοκράτωρ an absolute master; cf. Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 120 [also as above; cf. Winers Grammar, § 2, 1 c.]); to govern one, exercise dominion over one: τινός, 1 Timothy 2:12.

Let’s Talk About Dominion

Man and woman are never given dominion over each other in Genesis. Ever. They are called into mutual submission. Two can’t become one without mutual submission. It’s not “two become husband”. Or “two become wife”.

They are given dominion over the earth, and to subdue it together. This is why it is not permitted for a woman to have dominion over a man, or the term used “authority”. Likewise, it is not permitted for a man to have absolute authority over a woman. The Bible never says that, but the human carnal mind assumes this. Never assume anything.

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” [Genesis 3:16]

Genesis tells us this will happen when God tells Eve that her desire will be for her husband but he will choose to rule over her. There is no scripture in the Bible that says a man should dominate (or, have dominion over) a woman. It simply says women shouldn’t have dominion over a man, in regard to Adam and Eve as reference. This is where assumptions get us in trouble about what the Bible doesn’t say.

It is because false teachers are influential, and women should be guarded. Just as Satan tempted Eve in his teaching, a woman should learn in silence so she’s not deceived by the teacher. That does not, however, mean she can’t teach, preach, question, and more. But there is order, and we’ll get to that.

The idea that men have the authority to dominate over a woman is human-made legalism, and every evil thing stems from it (including, especially, sexual immorality).

Genesis 45:26 says Joseph had dominion over Egypt. Yet the English translation is “governor”. This is why 1 Peter 3:6 says Sarah called Abraham Lord (another term for governor), not because he was the end all, but because he was the “governor” of the household and estate.

Consider a governor of the state. He’s not there to dictate anything. A good governor should be there to be a peacekeeper/maker, to direct a state (aka, the family unit) into the proper ways of things, and to make sure things are well taken care of. A governor of an estate has people making decisions without him all the time if they know how to do their job well. He’s just there to help with maintenance and growth.

Joshua 12:2 uses the same word (rule) for Sihon king of the Amorites. He “ruled” over the land, but he was an evil ruler. Let us realize in this very moment that while Genesis 3 says “rule over you”, does not mean that that’s what God wants. And that depending on who you serve, your “rule” could be a blessing or a curse.

In fact, God is stating very clearly that this was not His plan for creation. His plan was for two to become one, and that they would seek God together, not separately. This is why marriage is so important.

This is where Paul sets the standard for husbands (governors) in the household (Ephesians 5). And for men of the church.

A husband or man’s place of “authority” is not “the last say” unless that last say is also what God said. It is not dominance. This is toxic and Americanized masculinity. A man’s last say should be what him and his wife receive from the Lord after they search His heart together. Otherwise, it is the idolization of the man’s idea or thought. We have to be careful not to eliminate God in our marriages because we are following legalism that seems right.

A man’s authority of governance is to serve and protect, and to guide his wife into a beautiful relationship with the Lord, together, so that GOD is the head of their household. This is mirrored in 1 Timothy 2 where Paul is protecting women, and telling men to protect women, against false teachers and corruption. That their voices should be heard, but they shouldn’t ask the question frivolously during a church service, that it may give the false teacher more ability to rule over or deceive them. But should instead ask their husbands to search God’s heart with them.

Had Eve never had a conversation with the serpent, she may never have fallen into sin. Had Adam spoken up and not been silent, she certainly would not have fallen into sin. See how that works?

1 Corinthians and Acts 2 gives permission to women to teach, pastor, prophesy, give words of knowledge, and more.

If a woman is not married, she has no husband to seek advice from. Therefore she is removed from the household structure and either remains under her father’s teaching, or if she has no father, falls under God’s covering as a daughter in Christ. This may include falling under an elder or other Spiritual father, as well.

Let’s break down Silence/Quiet a bit more…

Quiet or Silence–

Greek - ἡσυχία
hēsychia

Definition of Biblical usage:

1. quietness

   1. description of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others

2. silence

Strongs Concordance Definition & Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

ἡσυχία, -ας, ἡ, (from the adjective ἡσύχιος, which see; the feminine expresses the general notion [Winers Grammar, 95 (90)], cf. αἰτία, ἀρετή, ἐχθρά, etc.), [from Homer down];

ἡσυχία hēsychía, hay-soo-khee'-ah; feminine; (as noun) stillness, i.e. desistance from bustle or language:—quietness, silence.

1. 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, 2 Thessalonians 3:12.

2. silence

Other scriptures that use these interchangeable words are Acts 22:2, 2 These. 3:12, 1 Timothy 2:11-12

What About Verses 13 through 15?

That’s the problem, we like to pick the verses we want to weaponize. I think you’ll see these verses clearly confirm what I said about the Genesis 3 passage.

1 Timothy 2:13-15 KJV says:

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

This is why these next scriptures say this. Eve made a decision on her own, and Adam didn’t speak up. This is why the scripture says he wasn’t deceived, because he knew the truth. Yet he still sinned.

In the New Testament, after Jesus comes, the woman is redeemed through childbearing. But the man is to lay down his life as Christ did for the church. The tables finally shift back.

Worse though, Adam allowed Eve to make her decision even though HE knew it was wrong and was there the entire time. Because she had no guidance, nor did she ask for it, she was the one who fell into deception and transgression. There is always a balance.

It is because false teachers are influential, and women should be guarded. Just as Satan tempted Eve in his teaching, a woman should “learn in silence” so she’s not deceived by the teacher. Not because she can’t teach, lead, or have value in Christ.

This is why it is important for a woman (wife specifically), when she is learning, that if she is confused or unsure, or if she wants to learn deeper, or if she thinks she’s correct on a topic, she should ask her husband and learn with him. Not that he would have the right answer, necessarily, but so they can seek God together. Husband and wife are one, as seen in Gen 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:31, 1 Corinthians 6:16, and so on.

And let’s not forget verses 8 through 10….

⁸ I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; ⁹ in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, ¹⁰ but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. [1 Timothy 2:8-10]

So many people like to preach “women must be silent and not teach”, but they are generally the same ones obsessed with their outward appearances, their family name, or something other than Jesus.

Men are called to pray everywhere, with holy hands, patience, and belief. Women are called to profess godliness with their good works, not their costly and vibrant clothing. This is what this verse says, and the next verses reiterate that with women. Good works doesn’t just mean homemaking, mind you. Remember, faith without WORKS is dead.

You see we can take everything in the Bible to the extreme when we take out verses instead of reading the book.

On one side we have “women can’t do anything except have babies and clean the house in an apron and long sleeved dress”. On the other side we have people who don’t think women need any accountability, but that couldn’t be further from the truth either. Paul clearly lays out that ALL members of the body need accountability. And I hope you can see that now more than ever.

Let us never be so self-righteous in our own eyes that we can’t even see we’re following false doctrines. Let us be more concerned with then Spirit and truth than the doctrines of man. If you don’t read the living Word, you’ll be dead in every doctrine of your life.

Can women teach, preach, prophesy, give words of knowledge, and more? Yes. Can women work in the gifts of the Spirit? Yes.

Case closed…