Do you think women are permitted to be either pastors or elders in local assemblies?Pardon; sarcasm is my second language.
I'm still trying to put together 1 Timothy 2.
Paul's instruction to be 'lifting up holy hands' is a rather 'plain apostolic command' as well. What separates it from the others?
If the instructions are understood as metaphorical, why wouldn't a less than literal understanding apply for the rest of his instructions in the passage?
Were Paul's instructions not to have "broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array" also to be considered metaphorical?
How did braided hair, gold earring and even pearls become acceptable accessories in churches today?
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I'm beginning to understand the passage as a bit less than an 'apostolic command' and more about godly wisdom and order;
for we are not under the law; "the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels" (1 Timothy 1:9).
Apparently, some men and women ("certain persons") in the church were teaching false doctrine. Paul mentions that they taught out of "ignorance" and "lack of understanding" (1 Tim 1:3-7). Paul even mentions that before his conversion, even he acted ignorantly.
The instructions for men dealt with controlling "anger and quarreling" that was provoked by "vain discussion" and 'confident teachings without a proper understanding.'
Women were instructed to dress properly and keep silent because:
(1) they were dressing inappropriately
(2) they were largely ignorant or un-taught, and
(3) they were unruly (perhaps provoked by their husbands anger).
So Paul provided wisdom for proper order and decorum among the assembly of believers.
To keep order, there needed to be some sort of hierarchy and a respect for order.
Paul follows up 1 Timothy 2 with instructions of how the church is to be ordered; bishops/overseer's and deacons.
Rob