We’ve all seen the videos of children preaching or recounting stories from the Bible. Some are hilarious because the children use incorrect phrases. They are telling the stories based on their knowledge and experience.
Paul wrote today’s verses about the women in Ephesus, who were not allowed to study. They had neither the knowledge or experience to preach.
1 Timothy 2:11, “Let a woman learn in silence with all obedience. I do not permit a woman to teach or to usurp authority over a man, but to be silent.” Modern English Version
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“To understand these verses, we must understand the situation in which Paul and Timothy worked. In first-century Jewish culture, women were not allowed to study. When Paul said that women should ‘learn quietly and submissively,’ he was offering them an amazing new opportunity.
Paul did not want the Ephesian women to teach because they didn’t yet have enough knowledge or experience. The Ephesian church had a particular problem with false teachers.
…Paul did not forbid women from ever teaching. Paul’s commended co-worker, Priscilla, taught Apollos, the great preacher (Acts 18:24-26). In addition, Paul frequently mentioned other women who held positions of responsibility in the church. Phoebe worked in the church (Romans 16:1). Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persis were the Lord’s workers (Romans 16:6, 16), as were Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2).
…Paul himself acknowledged that women publicly prayed and prophesied (1 Corinthians 11:5).” New Life Application Bible Notes
Paul was telling Timothy to allow only those with knowledge and experience to preach. The Ephesian women were in essence kindergarteners in spiritual things. The things Paul said to the women could also be applied to men who are new to the faith.
“Such women tended to exercise authority over, i.e., to be domineering…” New International Study Bible Notes
There is nothing more harmful to our faith than a minister that is domineering, male or female. Jesus was never domineering. He was a servant, submissive to God. Both women and men need to learn “quietly and submissively.”
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