Should women take authority over men in the church or the house? God says no.
First I would like us to look at what the book of First Timothy says about this subject.
1 Timothy 2:11-14
11 "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." KJV
In verses 11-12, God has shown that he gives specific roles to both man and woman. He tells the woman not to teach, nor take authority over the man.
Note: Usurp- to use without authority or right
In verse 13-14, God tells why he has gave this role. Adam was made first, then Eve. God tells us that Adam was not the one that was deceived, rather it was the woman that was deceived by the devil. I believe God is telling us that this is the reason why man should be the head because Eve was the one to be deceived.
Note: Notice that no where in the book of First Timothy does it give a specific education status to teach. Also I would like you to consider that there were fishermen called to be Jesus' disciples. So education has nothing to do with this subject.
Now Lets look at some verses in 1 Timothy 3:2-4, Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 6:14.
1 Timothy 3:2-4
2 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;" KJV
In verse 2, God tells us the qualifications for a bishop. Notice that one is that he is the husband of one wife. It does not say the wife of one husband.
Then in verse 4, it goes on to says that he must also be ruler of his house. I believe the word of God makes it clear that man must be the ruler of the house. This is not because man is better, but because God has given us specific roles.
I would like to show that is says pretty much the same thing in Titus.
Titus 1:6-9
6 "If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." KJV
Until when do these rules stand? Let's look in 1 Timothy 6.
1 Timothy 6:14
"That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:" KJV
Paul tells us that these to keep these commandments until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. I don't believe Jesus has came back yet, so I don't believe these rules should be done away with.
Now let's go to the book of First Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 11:3
"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." KJV
Here it is obvious that it is stating that Christ is the head of man and man is the head of woman. If woman is to take head of the man, that is like man trying to take the head of Christ. I believe this is very wrong and must be avoided.
On down in verses 8-9...
1 Corinthians 11:8-9
8 "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man." KJV
This basically tells us that the woman was created for the man, not the man created for the woman.
Now lets go back up to verse 5.
1 Corinthians 11:5
"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven." KJV
This tells us that women can pray and prophesy and goes on to talk about how they must do that, but we won't get into that because that is a different subject.
Note: Please take a look where women were prophesying in song in 1 Chronicles 25.
Alright, now lets look at 1 Corinthians 1:2 and 1 Corinthians 14:37.
1 Corinthians 1:2
"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:" KJV
Notice that Paul said these rules are not just for the church of Corinth, but for every church. I believe he makes this clear in the above verse.
And then in 1 Corinthians 14:37...
1 Corinthians 14:37
"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." KJV
We must read God's word and know that this is His commandments. This verse says if we consider ourself spiritual, we must obey these commandments. I don't know how more direct God can be about this subject.
In the book of Isaiah...
Isaiah 3:12
"As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." KJV
The prophet Isaiah condemned these people because there were women that ruled over them.
Alright remember that God did not say anything about women not being able to teach children or other women. So I believe this is alright for women to do. I believe women can have their own studies, where only women are present. Also, I would like to bring back up, that women can also sing and pray in church. When women are to be told to keep silent in church, it only means they cannot take authority over the males in the church by teaching or preaching. Here is an example of women teaching other women in the Bible.
Titus 2:3-5
3 "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." KJV
Finally I want to end this article with some verses in Ephesians 5:21-25.
Ephesians 5:21-25
21 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" KJV
In verse 22, wives are told to submit to their husbands and also the Lord.
Then in verse 23-24, we see here again that the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is ahead of the church. So as the church is subject to Christ, the wife must also be subject to the husband.
And here in verse 25, men are told to love their wives like Christ loved the church. Christ loved the church so much that he gave his life for us. Praise God!
I'm sorry if this article has angered or saddened anyone. I did not type this to do so, rather I wanted to point out what God has clearly said about this subject, that I see is a problem today. We must never be afraid to quote God's word because only God's word is the absolute truth. We can always correct people by God's word and that will never change. God's word will stand forever!
2 Timothy 3:16
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" KJV
God Bless you all. Your Brother in Christ, Cody
