Perhaps some Baptists have forgotten one of the basic rules of English grammar: A sentence ends with a punctuation mark, such as a period. First Timothy 2:12 does not have a period after the word “teach.” To end the sentence at that point is to miss the true meaning of Paul’s admonition.
Paul tells us that a woman should not usurp authority over a man. The Amplified Bible does not place even a comma between “teach or to have authority over men.” The Amplified Bible also clarifies that it is in religious assemblies where women are to remain quiet. The issue is not whether a woman should teach; it is her attitude toward men in authority. If a woman can’t teach a mixed-gender class without criticizing her husband or reprimanding a deacon, she should remain silent.
In my experience, women who teach Sunday school do not use that opportunity to disrespect men in authority. That is more likely to occur in a committee meeting or in a business meeting. I would much rather hear a woman teach than to hear a woman argue with a deacon or make a demand like: “You need to show me respect because I am the chairperson.”
Women can teach and they can lead committees, but a woman serves under authority. That is God’s way. No matter how many reasonable arguments a woman can muster, scripture does not change.
I heard Elizabeth Elliott point out that if we twist Ephesians 5:23a, then we must reverse the entire scripture to read: The wife is the head of the husband as the church is the head of Christ.
Who is the head of your church?
What do you think? Click here to send a letter to the editor addressing this or another subject.