1 Timothy 2

It's an interesting mindset that Paul had.

Christianity was under persecution all over, and instead of probably praying for the death or destruction of these authorities, he asked for them to be prayed for, for peace.

Which is what every leader wants in their realm.

But not just for the peace of the leaders, but for the peace of believers.

This was more like pray that we may have peace, rather than tag these rulers as evil 😈 and when they go rogue on us we pray for our deliverance.

Smart approach 👍

Is Paul saying women should not wear broided hair and jewelry? YES he is.

But he said that within a context, and the context is that of "women professing godliness".

So for women professing godliness and sobriety, loud adornment communicated otherwise.

In essence this was purely a cultural thing, and to put up the right posture not just at heart but in appearance.

Culture has changed and these are not needed, as wearing adornment is now the norm.

We cannot say that not wearing gold and other jewelry 💍 is Christian doctrine.

Studying the rest of scripture, we see no such doctrine, and this cannot form the basic tenets of the Christian faith.

Also there were many nobles and royals 👑 who came to the faith.

Were they to suddenly take off their gold and beautiful adornment? No, and that did not hinder their profession of faith, because for their social status anyone they witnessed to would not accuse or judge them as not being sober or godly.

Christianity indeed must be approached logically and not with a set of hard rules, lest we gradually sink into error.

Another context to this verse.

It does not say let the women be silent 🤫.

It says let them learn, meaning there is something to teach which they do not know.

Ever had to teach someone who does not know, and yet postures as if they do and would not learn in silence 🤫?

This is what is being referred to here.

And we know Paul is not introducing a doctrine of masking 😷 women not to talk,

because we see he's worked with several women in ministry, and we see other confirmatory scriptures of women prophets who are the mouth 👄 piece of God.

What is the meaning of the word to be in silence 🤫?

Obviously it does not mean to not talk. But to be measured in speech and not to over talk or talk over the man,

as is demonstrated by the next instruction of not usurping authority over the man 👨.

It was expected that godly women be not found to be loud and domineering over their man.

Indeed in society in general such behaviour of women is frowned 🙁 upon, and much more on the believers, who were held to a much higher standard.

Just imagine seeing a woman calling her husband and saying, come let me teach you a few things about so and so.

The utter shock 🤯 and disgust 🤢 of those watching in that society and culture.

From the way Paul talks, you can see he is looking at it from a societal, cultural and public view of such an occurrence.

Indeed even now in our 21st century, imagine a worker 👷 calling out to his manager or supervisor in full 🌕 view of others, trying to talk over or teach his leader.

See, we know leaders everywhere don't know it all, and their team always helps them.

But even then you know there is an appropriate way to teach and correct your leader.

Now the man/husband is the head of the home — the team leader —

how and what do you think is the appropriate manner for a wife to talk to, correct, and particularly when it comes to having to teach him, to do so?

How do you think 🤔 it ought to be done in the home 🏡 privately? How about before the kids?

How, what about when neighbours are around?

You see, the point I believe Paul was making is still apt and appropriate in our times and age, and even much more in their cultural setting, where proper behaviour was stricter and expected.

For those of us in Africa, and I believe non-western nations, we understand this better.

A lot of the confusion in marriages, the arguments and fights, is as a result of these things.

I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over the man; nature even teaches us so, as we see in the case of man being created first before woman.

Generally men are more assertive than women, and this natural tendency has been accepted and ingrained in culture.

I can imagine in the times of Paul, under such a culture, for women in the church to be seen towering tall over men and teaching them whiles the men sit in silence 🤫.

That whole scenery is a shock 🤯 to the cultural sense of the time ⌚.

For the church not to be seen in that light, and also for ensuring what is proper, since the church is part of society and culture, and this culture of men leading lines up with scripture, it was only wise to set things in order in that manner.

The church is cultural.

However, after many centuries, gradually that mindset is being wiped out of culture to a large extent, though the nature of things still stands.

The church therefore needs to be wise in and change with the times, but also we need to be cautious and not go against or deny natural order, by putting in support systems to help women teachers and leaders.

It is a slippery ground, but we can navigate that path if we tread cautiously.

An order is being set here of headship and leadership.

Was this not illustrating the general susceptibility of women to being deceived and lured or distracted generally, because of their emotional nature?

I believe Paul, in foreseeing all these limits, gave this instruction.

Of course it does not make the woman inferior, no, because women have strengths that men do not have.

Women, because of their emotions, are more intuitive.

This verse indicates men and women are just different, and the greater should each stay in their strength 💪 area.

So brother Paul, what has Adam not being deceived and being formed first got to do with anything?

He seems to be saying the man is head and should lead in church ⛪; he also seems to be suggesting the vulnerability of women and it seeping out into their leadership if they are left to do as they feel.

Having said this, does this therefore not imply that

1. If there are women teachers, well learned and behaved, they cannot be kept silent 🤫 but must be allowed to teach, as in other examples we see in scripture.

2. If a woman is a natural leader or can learn to lead, she should be allowed, or if structures can be put in place that counter the natural inhibitions against women, so their gifts and talents are brought to bear, it is wisest to do so.

3. Eve was cursed to endure much pain in pregnancy, but today due to modern medicine 😷 women can literally have pain-free birth. Should we then say that since pain in childbirth is a natural process, women should be left to suffer though there is a way out...

Of course we know the advantages of natural birth, but there is no need imposing that on a woman 👩 when there are alternatives, especially where there is risk.

So also in the positive, we should help women shine as much as men in the church without hindering the work of ministry.

When Paul gives a command, even if it is not doctrine, here he ensures there is scriptural backing, i.e. that it lines up with the scriptures.

These entire verses require study, much study and clarification.

This points to a supernatural benefit to women for living in godliness and meekness.

That in childbirth she shall be preserved... Her life and that of her young one shall be saved from harm and the dangers of childbirth.