Can you be a radical woman in the church - Part 3

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. - 1 Timothy 2:11-12 (NIV)

So the next two verses in this passage address the matter of women teaching and exercising authority over a man. It is probably one of the most controversial passages in regards to the roles that women should play in the church today. As a result, this section demands close attention. For starters, it is important that both of these verses be taken together. Verse 11 makes a positive statement, while verse 12 is intended to be a corresponding negative statement.

In understanding this section, it is vital to recognize that in no way is Paul expressing a matter of custom or of personal preference as he did in the previous two verses. Rather, these two verses are given as a command. Furthermore, the argument that this passage is intended to support women not learning is not a valid one. On the contrary, his command specifically presumes that women will learn. Additionally, Paul's intention here is not to require women to learn with "buttoned-lips" but for them to learn in a manner that is quietly receptive and that has submission to God's truth and to the authority.

In looking at this passage further, one must also consider the context for which is was written. Paul was discussing the conduct of Christians in regards to their gathering together in corporate worship. Therefore, these remarks are not intended to be directed to life in general. Furthermore, it is not to imply that women were not allowed to speak in the church setting, and they were certainly free to speak in Pauline churches (1 Corinthians 11). As a result, the context implies that Paul is specifically referring to teaching situations here in 1 Timothy 2. As a result, we can conclude that Paul intended that women should not be authoritative teachers in the church.

Why you might ask? Paul goes on to explain this in the following verses, which will be addressed in Part 4.