Despite what we’ve covered the last few days, some might still want to challenge the idea that women were allowed to teach in church and quote 1 Timothy 2:11-14 as a rebuttal. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather,…
Paul’s Women in Ministry (Pt 3)
The New Testament shows Paul’s affirmation of women. He mentions that Eudia and Syntche labored side by side with him in the gospel together (Philip 4:2-3). He mentions that Mary worked hard for those at the Roman church (Ro 16:6). He calls Tryphaena and Tryphosa “workers in the Lord” (Ro 16:12) and writes two verses…
Church Interruptions (Pt 2)
I feel that the main reason Paul told “the women” to be silent in church was not because they were women, but because they were interrupting the service with their questions. Ancient culture did not spend much time educating women, and therefore they had plenty of questions to ask. As Craig S. Keener points out,…
Women Can Prophesy (Pt 1)
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 falls on everyone’s ears differently, depending on denominational background. Some hear it submissively while others hear it and can’t help but raise an eyebrow. Still others hear it and a noticeable anger can be seen burning within them. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the…
Progressive Paul (Opening)
Many of Paul’s words often get used to demean women and other minorities, but Paul’s instructions were actually quite progressive for his time—not regressive. It’s important we take the whole Bible into account as well as the culture Paul was in to understand just how extraordinary his message was. The conversation on women and the…
