This is intended to be thought provoking and personally challenging, even confrontational. Judgment is being visited upon the Lord's house. I'm not exempt from coming under conviction in these matters. I too owe some confessions and apologies to some individuals I've wronged in ignorance, engaged as an unwitting agent of Jezebel. Lord, help us receive this personal instruction as a token of Your love and a necessary fiery trial that will prove and refine us before such a time comes that all might be consumed.
I'm going to proceed now under the assumption that everything written in this series thus far is fresh in your mind. If it's not, you may want to make it so. As you continue in this series of posts let me ask you once again to please be patient with the unfolding occurring here and in your life.
What has been brought forth about obedience regarding such as adornment, marital subjection and head covering is not yet what will shake some of us from deep slumber. There are related matters of consequence that have been held in abeyance until such a time as this.
The popular church and most among us habitually dismiss distinctions made in the Bible between the genders, including the prohibitions against women instructing men and speaking in the church. This matter is being addressed only now in the series because it is for those who have embraced what has come thus far, not because it is of lesser importance. Given what I perceive amongst many of us who profess a desire to qualify as Y'shua's Bride, this is going to be the more challenging. This is not for any who still seek loopholes and escape routes but for those who are being constrained to walk in a narrow way. I know about wanting to flee from the light back into darkness. Odds are, you're going to want to because bright light is going to be directed where little light has shone.
Let's consider the testimony of 1 Timothy 2.
9) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1 Timothy 2:9-1110) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
Paul instructed Timothy regarding women that learning was to be done in "silence" with all subjection. The Greek word translated "silence" means quietness, not silence as in without making a sound. The word translated "silence" in verse 11 is a form of the same word translated "quiet" in 1 Peter 3:4.
3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 3:3-44) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
To learn in "silence" relates to manner. To learn in silence with all subjection clearly means that response of any kind that challenges an instructor's lesson or authority should neither be done nor permitted. Now, this is really simple and straightforward, but I know this is not going to be falling gently on many eyes or ears. The Lord is encouraging the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit in women, seeking daughters of Sarah. This instruction is for those who trust the Lord, not the ability of man. It's the Sarah model.
Continuing in 1 Timothy 2, Paul declares the following.
12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:12The Greek word used for "silence" in verse 12 is the same one used in verse 11. Paul wrote to Timothy that he did not permit such behavior. It goes without saying that Timothy and all men are encouraged to follow his example. In the interest of remaining focused in this post I'm going to limit my address of a woman teaching to the context of the woman in relationship to a man. Giving further clarity to what had been declared in verse 11, we note that when a woman teaches (didasko) she is not in quietness. With regard to a woman being in quietness, teaching a man must be seen as equivalent to usurping authority over him.
Paul goes on to reveal the basis for this.
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.
1 Timothy 2:13-1514) 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.
Most folks today read this passage and take offense, rejecting it as absurd. Mystery Babylon and Jezebel can't abide with such truth. This is commonly further justified because most saints have been sold a simplistic and perverted doctrine of salvation that denies any such kind that might involve childbearing or that might involve all Israel (Romans 11:26). Most also have never even considered the eventual restitution of all things, which is a related promise. My friend, there are many kinds of salvation. One kind involves childbearing. In that kind, continuance in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety is also required.
The first reason given for why a woman is not permitted to teach nor usurp authority over the man goes back to the order of creation. Adam was first formed, then Eve. This compares to the explanation in Paul's instruction about head covering about why "the woman is the glory of the man."
7) For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8) For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9) Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 11:7-98) For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9) Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
The second point made there references purpose, a very noteworthy point. The woman was created for the man. This directs us back to the second chapter of Genesis.
And Jehovah God saith, `Not good for the man to be alone, I do make to him an helper -- as his counterpart.'
Genesis 2:18 (YLT)Clearly, the woman was not made to be "a boss -- as his counterpart," and neither was she made to be "a match -- as his competitor." This is an important perspective to keep in mind.
In 1 Timothy 2, the second reason given for why a woman is not permitted to teach nor usurp authority over the man makes reference to the third chapter of Genesis.
13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1 Timothy 2:13-1414) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:6When the woman ate, she did so being deceived. When the man ate, he did so even though he was not deceived. The woman being deceived was in the transgression. Paul isn't suggesting the man was without blame but gives insight into the transgression as a reason why a woman is not permitted to teach nor usurp authority over the man. This brings the matter of deception to our attention.
Some who eagerly dismiss the revelation justify their behavior with the observation that some women are more discerning and less deceived than some men. While that's obvious to anyone with a brain, such rationalization isn't going to count for much when judgment comes on the basis of obedience. What some choose to regard as Paul's misguided advice will be a testimony against them.
In the next chapter, consider what's written about these matters.
15) But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15
1 Timothy 3:15
Following that is a testimony that should speak loudly about today, when Jezebel and control spirits are recognized by many of us as active nearly everywhere, even and especially in the church!
1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 Timothy 4:1-2
2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 Timothy 4:1-2
When we read that a woman is not permitted to teach nor usurp authority over the man, this is "enough said" for those who are willing to obey. The reasons provided in the context are given, not so we can wrestle them to justify rebellion, but rather to afford those who are eager to be found obedient further insight. Indeed, you may be able to appreciate some of the more profound insight that can be gleaned from Paul's inspired explanation!
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.
1 Timothy 2:14-1515) Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
When you follow the prompt back into the referenced passage in Genesis what you'll find is this same pattern of transgression followed by a promise involving childbearing.
Unto the woman He said, `Multiplying I multiply thy sorrow and thy conception, in sorrow dost thou bear children, and toward thy husband [is] thy desire, and he doth rule over thee.'
Genesis 3:16 (YLT)If you understand what happened in the garden when the woman was deceived you may recognize 1 Timothy 2:14-15 as yet another clue to the nature of the sin in the garden. It relates to childbearing! The woman eating is a figurative reference to procreation with the serpent tree. She later gave birth to Cain. This is the subject of a three part study titled Who is Cain's Father? If you really understand how the woman's transgression resulted in bearing the child who became a race of people contrary to the Creator you should perceive a woman's childbearing with her continuing in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety as a gracious provision for redemption. This childbearing is far more than just the bearing of accountability as a curse upon all women. This is honorable and how the Adamic line is persisted, the heritage of the Lord, the line of the Creator through Adam and Noah!
That is profound, yet there's more we can and should glean from the link between 1 Timothy 2 and Genesis that is the heart of the subject of women teaching men!
Lord willing, I'll pick this up in the next post!
If a man says to a woman that 2+2=5, should she not respond that 2+2=4?
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