The following is a sequel to the 'Dedicated Servant' message given by Pastor Michael on July 18th:
Silent Women
by Pastor Michael Spearl
by Pastor Michael Spearl
Last week we looked at a difficult passage, 1 Timothy 3:1 – 13. It is a passage that has caused much consternation because it has been used by some believers to prevent women from filling the office of deacon. We broke out our Greek concordances and dictionaries and suddenly the passage was no longer so difficult. We were surprised with a bit of relief with disappointment mixed in. We discovered that the word deacon, found in 1 Timothy 3: 8 – 13 (4x) and Philippians 1:1 (1x) is a transliterated word created to give the impression that a deacon is a position of authority separate from that of a bishop (or the pastor). We learned that the office of deacon as a position of authority within the church simply has no biblical authority. We saw that when we correctly translate diakonos as ‘servant’ and diakoneo as ‘serve’ and read the passage, then it is easy to understand the passage’s intent. Those who desire to serve their brothers and sisters in God’s family must have correct attitudes, behaviors, and priorities and be well versed and practiced in God’s truths.
These servants are men and women. Women are not excluded from being servants in the church. And they certainly were not excluded from a position called deacon in the early church. Because that position did not exist in the early church. 1 Timothy 3:11 correctly reads, “Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.”
Today we look at another difficult passage—1 Timothy chapter 2. This particular passage has been a thorn in my side for years. I wasn’t sure if I could ever resolve these verses that seem to exclude women from teaching within the church. Other verses say there is no difference between male and female in the eyes of God (Galatians 3:28) and still other verses say both men and women are divinely gifted and empowered to minister to the whole Body of Christ (Romans 16:1 – 7; Philippians 4:2 -3). The Bible teaches us that, in the New Testament economy, both men and women exercise prophetic, priestly, and royal functions (Acts 2:17 – 18; 21:9; 1 Cor. 11:5; 1 Peter 2:9 – 10; Rev. 1:6; 5:10). So, how do we deal with 1 Timothy chapter 2, especially knowing that in many evangelistic denominations, women are excluded from teaching men or holding leadership positions because of the words in 1 Timothy 2:8 – 15? We already shot holes in 1 Timothy 3. No, what we showed was that 1 Timothy 3 was obviously translated into English by the KJV translators to back fit their preexisting church structure. Other modern translators followed their example. The translators took the beautiful words of 1 Timothy 3 and 1 Timothy2, as we will soon see, and translated them into something very objectionable and they subjugated women in the process into roles disallowing the very gifts of the Spirit that God had blessed them with.
(Read 1 Timothy 2: 8 – 15)
Paul begins this passage by being concerned about women appearing modest in their clothing. Verses 9 and 10 are not difficult; most Christian women find these verses appealing and Christian women desire to follow the intent of these two verses. One word in particular reveals the intent of verses 9 & 10. In verse 9 the Greek word sophrosune is translated as “sobriety” in the KJV which means voluntary limitation of one’s freedom of thought and behavior, or self-control. This is a wonderful description of a Christian woman’s appearance. Not just her dress but her demeanor, the way she behaves toward other people.
The truth is that in Christianity women become free and equal to their husbands. But there is always the possibility that a wife might take this freedom beyond the limitations that God established between a husband and wife in the marital relationship. This is the issue Paul was addressing here in 1 Timothy 2:8 – 15. A husband and wife cannot be exactly the same. No two people can. The inherent differences in people and things must be recognized by a sophron, or a “sober minded” person. A sober minder person is one who recognizes his or her abilities and limitations, and is mindful of his or her behavior in a given situation.
There are numerous references in Scripture where women are recognized as friends and coworkers in the gospel. The Apostle Peter refers to women as “heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7).
In Romans 16:1 -4 we read about a couple of women. Phebe, in verses 1 & 2, is commended as a servant minister who should be received with the courtesy and respect due to a child of God. And we read about Priscilla and her husband Aquila, in verses 3 &4, both referred to by Paul by the same Greek word, sunergous, meaning fellow workers. Paul did not distinguish between the work each could do because one is male and the other female.
Now, in a family, to function properly there needs to be a person in a position of leadership. Likewise, in a marriage, two distinct personalities are directed to have a particular relationship,” according to God’s creation and ordinances. So let’s get right to it…
In 1 Timothy 2:11- 12 there are several key words that show how a wife should convey a Godly relationship to her husband. The first of these terms is one we looked at last week. The Greek word gune, depending upon the context, may indicate a woman in general or a wife.
The next word to consider is the word “silence” translated from the Greek word hesuchia. In the N.T. it occurs numerous times referring to tranquility or the state of being undisturbed. This should be the understanding of “silence” in verses 11 and 12. If this word meant complete silence, then a woman would never have the opportunity to ask questions in order to increase her knowledge of the Scriptures. Simply translated, verse 11 says, the wife ought to be displaying a tranquil spirit in her attempt to learn.
The next word of key importance in understanding the “silence” mentioned in verses 11 & 12 is hupotage, which means “to place in proper order.” It is translated in the KJV as “subjection,” and in the NASB as “entire submissiveness.” It is difficult for me to understand why the English translators used words like “subjection” and “entire submissiveness,” words that do not connote Paul’s intent. Listen to how strongly verse 11 reads in the NASB: A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. Paul wanted to express the idea that in a wife’s desire to learn, she should respect her husband’s position as the head of the marriage unit in Christ (1 Cor. 11:3). But Paul was not saying that women are subservient to men. Men, even as the marriage leader are still partners with their wives.
Let me provide for you the New Michael translation of verse 11:
Let a wife learn calmly, composed, in proper order. (respecting her husband.)
Verse 12 in the KJV says, “But I suffer not a woman to teach…” This verse draws a contrast between the Greek words for wife and for husband. The close relationship of the Greek words gune (wife or woman)and aner which means “man” or “husband” requires that the word “man” in verse-12 be rendered husband and gune be translated as wife. The usage of gune in verse-12, to be in context, must be translated as “wife” corresponding to the reference in verse-11. And the word aner, translated as “man” would be better rendered as “husband” since the usage of this word, aner, occurs in relation to a discussion of wives. Yes, we have a multiple meaning situation with the Greek word aner. Aner can be translated as “man” or “husband” depending upon the context. Furthermore, the word for “teach” in this verse is the Greek infinitive didaskein. In this usage it means to “teach continuously.” The situation in verse -12 refers to the home, or an assembly, or anywhere a husband and wife may be interacting together. Paul is simply saying that the position of husband as head in the marriage unit should not be undermined. The husband’s position was ordained in creation. A wife should place limitations on her speech, but she is not expected to be mute or lacking wit and intelligence. A wife should be careful not to go beyond the bounds of accepted propriety. That is the intent of verses 11 and 12. The intent is not subservience to men.
Women were full and active members in the early church. From an examination of 1 Corinthians 11:2 -16 it is clear that both husbands and wives could pray and prophesy in the worship service. And in all this discussion, Paul’s chief concern was that no woman would dishonor God, or her husband’s character, or herself. Peter also said the same thing concerning the witness of women and their conduct at home (1 Peter 3:1 – 7). In marital relationships, a wife is not presented as having fewer rights over her husband than her husband has over her. Paul asserts that wives should not dominate their husbands in the home or in the church. God has appointed specific tasks for both women and men. Childbearing is reserved for women, just as the role of a husband is set aside for men. These are differences created by God himself.
The Greek word translated “to usurp authority over” in verse 12 is authentein. Its definition in Strong’s concordance is “dominate.” Essentially Paul was saying, a wife’s public or private life should be beyond reproach and never dominate the position that her husband has been given by God. A wife should not encroach upon the role of her husband. Why? Paul explains in verse 13: For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. It isn’t because the husband is better, or more intelligent, or more worthy than his wife; rather, it is simply the order originally ordained by God, for her to respect.
So let us try the New Michael translation of verse 11 and 12 combined:
Let a wife learn calmly, composed, in proper order (respecting her husband.)
I would not have a wife continuously teaching and
dominating her husband, rather she should be low-key and reserved.
The Bible teaches that both men and women are created in God’s image; they have a direct relationship with God, and share jointly the responsibilities of raising children and having dominion over the created order.
The Bible teaches us that both men and women are called to develop their spiritual gifts, and to use them as stewards of the grace of God. Both men and women are divinely gifted and empowered to minister to the whole Body of Christ., under his authority (Acts 2:17 – 18; Romans 16: 1 – 7; Philippians 4:2 – 3; Colossians 4:15). The Bible defines the function of leadership as the empowerment of others for service, not the exercise of power over them. In the church, spiritual gifts given by God to men and women are to be recognized and used in serving and teaching ministries and in so doing, the church will model the unity and harmony that should characterize the community of believers. In so doing the church honors God as the source of spiritual gifts and fulfills God’s mandate of stewardship without the appalling loss to God’s kingdom that results when half of the church’s members (women) are excluded from positions of responsibility.
In the Christian home, husbands and wives defer to each other in seeking to fulfill each other’s preferences, each other’s desires, and aspirations. Neither spouse should dominate; each is to act as a servant to the other. They share responsibilities with respect to competencies. They are complementary; their marriage is a partnership basis even within the framework of the husband being the leader.
Christian couples share a lifestyle characterized by the freedom they find in Christ. They do so without feelings of guilt or resulting to hypocrisy. They are free to emerge out of the bonds of unbiblical traditionalism that chains women to irrelevance. Christian couples can rejoice in their mutual accountability in Christ and in so doing they can model their example to others who also seek freedom in Christ. Christian couples stand by example against the patterns of domination and inequality sometimes imposed by unbiblical traditional interpretations of Scripture that are imposed upon the church and family. Christian couples exalt the name of Messiah Jesus. Amen, Hallelujah.
|
Post a Message:
|
|
Posting to this topic, Silent Women. Would you rather start a new topic? |
| Contact: - Search - Log On | Copyright © 2010, Bradenton Seventh Day Baptist (S.D.B.) Church |  |