“I DO NOT PERMIT A WOMAN TO TEACH…”

Mike Johnson

The above statement is in I Timothy 2:11-12. The verses say, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” Many may be surprised to learn that these verses are in the Bible, and those who realize they are there are often unwilling to apply them. They argue that we must understand these verses within their “historical context.” These instructions, they say, are temporary regulations that were needful due to the culture of their time. They point out that this teaching does not apply today since we live in a different culture. Therefore, a woman today can do the opposite of what these verses say.

The kind of reasoning employed against the teaching in I Timothy 2:11-12 could also be used to eliminate many other Bible teachings. A person, for example, might say that the Bible teaching about baptism had its roots in the Jewish ceremonial washings and, therefore, baptism has no application for us today. People might also say that they could substitute different elements for the Lord’s Supper due to the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine having had their origin with the Jewish Passover.

The teaching of this passage is not intended to be temporary. Paul, giving a reason for the earlier instructions, said in verse 13, “For Adam was formed first then Eve.” This reason for the instructions goes back to creation before any particular culture existed. The idea is that it was God’s design from the beginning. (Paul also made the “creation” argument in I Corinthians 11:9 when he said, “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.”) Additionally, nothing in this context shows Paul’s instructions were temporary.

Verse 14 may be a second reason for the instructions of verses 11-12. However, it may be more of an illustration than a reason. The verse says, “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” This verse is not saying that women are more “gullible” than men and are thus not qualified for spiritual leadership. Instead, he shows the result when the roles given by God become reversed. Both sinned, but Eve sinned first, leading her husband into error. She became the “leader,” and he became the “follower.” Therefore, when she violated God’s order, disaster was the result!

These verses do not prohibit a woman from teaching under all circumstances. Situations, or settings, exist where she can teach. (Please note Acts 18:26; Titus 2:3-5; Col. 3:16; II Tim. 1:5, 3:14-15). However, these verses prohibit her from teaching in an authoritative way or an authoritative position over the man. Although the instructions in these verses include the assembly, they are not confined to it.

It is a sad situation when people are so bold as to try to alter a divine directive. We cannot accept passages we agree with and then dismiss the teaching we do not agree with or that does not happen to fit the current culture. We must obey God’s Word!