“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:12).
TEXT — 1 Timothy 2:12-15
Message
Teaching is an indispensable tool for shaping the future of society. The Bible also places a high premium on the teaching ministry, alongside those of apostles, pastors, prophets, and evangelists. The primary aim of biblical teaching is to unveil the mystery of the word of God for the edification of the Church. Teaching makes the results of preaching more enduring. Hence, during His earthly ministry, Christ backed His preaching with teaching and told His disciples to do the same.
Today’s key verse states that women should not teach in the church. Many interpretations have been given to this Scripture. Some people argue that the restriction was meant to apply only to the Ephesian church. Others explain that it is in the context of the patriarchal nature of the Jewish society of the period. In practice, some churches allow women to teach while others do not. What then is the biblical pattern? When can a woman teach in the Church and how far can she go?
The appeal to the story of Adam and Eve shows that the restriction is universal. Apostle Paul anchors the restriction on the headship and leadership of man in the home and the family. From this, we can deduce that the teaching of God’s word in the church is an expression of authority within the church. Consequently, a woman who teaches in a congregation that includes men usurps the authority of the man and violates the biblical principle. This neither demeans women nor makes them inferior to men. It is a matter of divinely assigned roles. There are other occasions where women are encouraged to teach. For instance, mothers are expected to teach their children and young women (Proverbs 31:1-3; Titus 2:4). Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside and explained to him the word of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). This was a private setting. Miriam led the women in singing after God overthrew the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20,21).
The role of women in the church cannot be overemphasised. However, such roles are not to be played in violation of the divinely ordained principle of male headship of the church. This also teaches believers godly attitude to prescribed authority which we must honour and obey.
Thought for the day
In God’s economy, man and woman are equal in value and dignity but differ in biology and function.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
I bless God for the Daily Manner studies, they have been a blessing to me and my family.
For today’s study, I’ll suggest that it is used as a Search The Scripture study rather than just a Daily Manner study as it requires more scriptural references for proper understanding. And also, it creates a room for answering questions that may come up from the study.
Good morning Pastor. Thank you for the continuous posting of daily manna devotional and how it has been a blessing to me. Please, I have a question on this topic, The Prescribed Authority. Paragraph three says: “a woman who teaches in a congregation that includes men usurps the authority of the man and violates the biblical principle.”
Now, my question is this, are you insulating that female Sunday school Teacher in a mixed congregation (of men and women) is biblically wrong? Shall we exclude female from bible teaching in a congregation of men and women? I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you and God bless sir.
Samson Praise sampraise4u2c@gmail.com
The teaching this morning is so inspiring
Good morning Sir/Ma,
I bless God for the Daily Manner studies, they have been a blessing to me and my family.
For today’s study, I’ll suggest that it is used as a Search The Scripture study rather than just a Daily Manner study as it requires more scriptural references for proper understanding. And also, it creates a room for answering questions that may come up from the study.
Thanks, and kind regards,
Nkonye.
I am curious to know where we place women leaders like Deborah and Esther in this school of thought
Good morning Pastor. Thank you for the continuous posting of daily manna devotional and how it has been a blessing to me. Please, I have a question on this topic, The Prescribed Authority. Paragraph three says: “a woman who teaches in a congregation that includes men usurps the authority of the man and violates the biblical principle.”
Now, my question is this, are you insulating that female Sunday school Teacher in a mixed congregation (of men and women) is biblically wrong? Shall we exclude female from bible teaching in a congregation of men and women? I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you and God bless sir.
Samson Praise sampraise4u2c@gmail.com
Interested to know the response to Sampson Praise’s question, “a woman who teaches in a congregation that includes men usurps…..”