Women
in the Church of the Living God
Part
6
Preface
Who have bewitched the so-called professing Christian ‘mainstream’ community? That they have turned to other gospels, departing "from the simplicity that is in Christ". Falling prey to that which are not gospels at all, but gospels of feminism, prosperity, and this so-called equality in ‘authority’ of men and women in the churches of this world, and teaching other such gospels (Rev. 2:20 NIV where the Lord Jesus says, “You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants…”; Galatians 1:6-12; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
·
10 Do you think I am trying to make
people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to
please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of
Christ.
Now, the next
verses in the Holy Scriptures which forbid women and wives (since
some so-called Bible scholars think Paul speaks against wives teaching and not all
women) from teaching in the churches are in 1 Timothy 2:11-15. And
these verses “give a universal rule" not just for some situations
as some would like us to believe.
As a matter of
fact, I submit that since 1 Timothy was written to the elder Timothy
in Ephesus not to a specific church means it applies to all elders and
those wishing to be teachers in the churches. The Holy Spirit says to men (not
women) wishing to be teachers (James 3:1 NKJV “My brethren, let not many
of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment”).
The Greek words (Strong’s 80, 1320, 4183) used here for “brethren or
brothers, many, teachers” are in the “masculine plural” meaning “men only”
as teachers.
Therefore, those
who try to put 1 Corinthians 14 into this box of pertaining just to
the Gentile Corinthians’ church women only and not to other women in the churches
cannot argue this faulty private interpretation here. The meaning here
is this: since 1 Timothy 2 is written concerning the conduct of men,
women and “elders” (teachers) in the churches then it applies to all
claiming to follow Christ Jesus "as in all the congregations of the Lord’s
people" in this present age. As it says below, “God
is not a God of disorder” which this faulty private
interpretation that these teachings concerning women in “the
congregations of the Lord’s people” refer to the Gentile
Corinthians’ church women only would cause.
You would think 1
Corinthians 14:33 would be enough proof these teachings concerning women in
the churches as it clearly and plainly says “as in all the congregations
of the Lord’s people”; however, there are many in this world who
willingly deny Scripture to suit their own desires (see also Ephesians 2:1-2).
I submit to you to understand what the Holy Spirit is saying requires the
Spirit of God; see Church
of the Living God – the First-fruits (Harvest) series;
see Scriptures just as it is written:
1 Corinthians 2:12-14 NIV
·
12 What
we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from
God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
·
13 This
is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by
the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[a]
·
14 The
person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit
of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they
are discerned only through the Spirit.
a.
1
Corinthians 2:13 Or Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who
are spiritual
(See 1
Corinthians 14:33-35 and 1 Timothy 2 listed below).
·
33 For God is not
a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s
people.
·
34 Women[a] should remain
silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in
submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to
inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it
is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[b]
a. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord’s people, 34 women
b. 1 Corinthians 14:35 In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.
·
6 Therefore since
it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had
the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God
again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time
later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
·
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not
harden your hearts.”[a]
·
8 For if Joshua
had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
a.
Hebrews 4:7 Psalm
95:7,8
Here’s the
chapter of 1 Timothy 2 for proper context:
1 Timothy 2 New
King James Version (NKJV)
Pray
for All Men
·
1Therefore I [a]exhort first of all that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all
men, 2 for kings and all who are in [b]authority, that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and [c]reverence.
·
3 For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
·
5 For there is one God
and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who
gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
·
7 for which I was
appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth [d]in Christ and not
lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Men
and Women in the Church
·
8 I desire therefore
that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and
doubting;
·
9 in like manner also,
that the women
adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and [e]moderation, not with braided
hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is
proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
·
11 Let a woman learn in
silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to
teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
·
13 For Adam was formed
first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman
being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she
will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness,
with self-control.
Footnotes
a.
1
Timothy 2:1 encourage
b. 1
Timothy 2:2 a
prominent place
c.
1
Timothy 2:2 dignity
d. 1
Timothy 2:7 NU omits in
Christ
e.
1
Timothy 2:9 discretion
The apostle Paul
says in verse 7, “I am speaking the truth in
Christ and not lying” declaring to all who has ears to hear and eyes to
see that what he says is truth from the Father in heaven and His Christ. After
exhorting us as Christians to pray for "all men"
everywhere, and those in authority that we may lead a peaceable life in this
present evil age while serving God and the Man Christ Jesus, our High
Priest and Savior (1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 4:14-16).
Beginning in verse
8, speaking by the Holy Spirit apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:8 uses
the Strong’s Greek 435 word ‘aner or andras’
which is the gender specific, “masculine plural” word meaning a male, a man or
husband (not women or wives). Now, if the Holy Spirit speaking through
the apostle Paul meant for women to pray everywhere (in public and in the
churches) then why would He use the Greek word that is exclusive and gender
specific to "men only" here in verse 8. Why did Paul not use the Greek word ‘Hekastos’ translated as ‘anyone’ or ‘everyone’
here?
Those arguing for
women to teach and pray in the churches do not answer this question of the
gender specific word used for men only “aner or andras”
in verse 8, and they willingly harden their hearts in disobedience of these
Holy Scriptures. Yet, these professing to be
Christians will make a point to point out when Paul used words not gender
specific to support their own distortion of the Holy Scriptures in arguing for
women to have authority over men in the churches of this world.
The use of this
word specifying "men only" in verse 8 of 1 Timothy 2
helps to clarify what is said in verse 12 of the same chapter. Apostle Paul
gives us the exception for women praying in the churches, meaning women can
pray and prophesy but not in the churches of the Saints of God. Women must
remain silent in the churches learning in “silence with all
submission” not praying, prophesying, speaking in tongues, preaching or
teaching in public as the law says (1 Tim. 2:11-12 NKJV and 1 Cor. 14:34 NIV
“as the law says” above referring to other Scriptures interpreting this
Scripture such as Genesis 3:16 NIV where after the deception and transgression of
the Woman, God says to the Woman “Your desire will be for your husband, and
he will rule over you” – see also Genesis 4:7 for clarity here).
In verses 9-10 of 1
Timothy 2 listed above, the Holy Scriptures give instructions
for women in public that they should be modest in clothing and
performing "good works" or “deeds” (doing
for others and living “good lives” – 1 Peter 2:12; James 1:26-27)
as opposed to praying and teaching in the public and the churches (word
translated as “women” here is Strong’s Lexicon 1135 gender specific
“feminine plural”). It does not say for women to pray and teach everywhere
as the Holy Spirit exhorts men.
This Holy Scripture in 1 Timothy 2:11-12 agrees
with what the Holy Spirit says in 1 Corinthians 14:33-34 that in “all
churches of the saints”, women are to learn in silence and are forbidden
to speak in the churches of the Living God. As the Holy Spirit says, in Romans
12:2 New Living Translation (NLT) “2 Don’t
copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a
new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s
will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect”. This world teaches you women are allowed to have authority over men
in the churches; however, the law of God and His Christ teaches the opposite
of this false teaching
of the world.
To live as the
perfect will of God calls for you must “let God
transform you into a new person by changing the way you think”, the
Lord Jesus Christ and His Father in heaven will keep your minds in perfect
peace as you remain steadfast in the faith and trust in the Holy and Righteous
Father in heaven and His Crist Jesus (Romans 12:1-2; Isaiah 26:2-4).
The Holy Scriptures
give us warnings of women ruling over the people of God and God’s Church saying:
in Isaiah 3:12 (NIV), “Youths oppress My people, women rule over them. My
people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path”. And
again, in the Book of Revelation, the words of Prophecy from the
Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 2:20 (NIV) our Savior and Lamb of
God says, “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You
tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she
misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed
to idols”. See
the Kush Edifying Ministries podcast teaching about this woman Jezebel: “The Woman Jezebel in Revelation 2”.
The evil one, the
great dragon called
“Satan” has led this present evil and adulterous world
astray (he has deceived the whole world). As the Holy Spirit says, in Revelation
12:9 Revised
Standard Version (RSV), “ And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is
called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down
to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him”. The
teachings of this world have agreed with the evil one called Satan saying, women
who are able to teach then let them teach and have authority over men in the
churches of this world (Genesis 3:1-5 Satan asked the Woman, “Did God
really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”;
John 8:43-45).
Also, the world says
that apostle Paul’s teachings concerning women were only for that time, and
other such false teachings and distorting of the Word of God by those who are
perishing in this present evil and adulterous world (1 Corinthians 1:18-19
NIV where it says, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those
who are perishing”; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NIV listed
below; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 NIV where it says, “They
perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”). All of
these teachings by this
world are commandments of mere men not the Word of the Living
God (Matt. 15:9 see below).
Again, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus
speaking to us in Matthew 15:8-9 listed below “They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules”; therefore, I ask you who do
you think the Son of God is speaking about in this present evil age in Matthew
7 and Matthew 15? Are not these verses speaking to those who refuse to accept
God’s Word concerning women in the churches of the Saints of God? Choosing to teach the
commandments of men instead of the Word of God.
·
8 “‘These people
honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They
worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’[a]”
Footnotes
a. Matthew
15:9 Isaiah 29:13
Now, I again, as a servant of the Living God
and His Son my Lord and Savior exhort you concerning the teachings of the
churches of this present evil and adulterous world; that you love the truth of
God and be saved out of this perishing world and its’ human rules:
·
33 For God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34 Let
your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to
speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
·
2 Rather, we have renounced secret and
shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.
On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to
everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And
even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of
unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of
the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
In 1 Corinthians
14:33-34, hear what the voice of those speaking by the Holy Spirit that women
are to learn in silence in the churches and remain in full submission as the
law says – women are not permitted to speak in “the congregations of the
Lord’s people”. Unless, you are disqualified being
blinded
by the “god of this age” called
Satan, the evil one. As the Word of God is plainly presented here concerning
women in the churches of Saints of the Living God (1 Cor. 9:27; Col. 2:18; 2
Cor. 13:5). Amen. Praise God.
a. 2:16 Isa 40:13 (Greek
version).
Again, we have
certain phrases that help us understand these verses in 1 Timothy 2.
First, the phrase "let a woman learn in silence with all
submission", in verse 11:
In 1 Timothy 2,
the phrase 'all submission' is translated from the Greek original
word 'upotagh' transliterated word 'Hupotage, hoop-ot-ag' a noun feminine - meaning: the
act of subjecting, obedience, or subjection (Strong’s definition). Also,
translated as control, submissiveness, subjection, and obedience (Strong’s
definition 5292). In
1 Corinthians 14:34,
its translated as ‘obedience’ in the King James Version (KJV),
and in 2 Corinthians 9:13 and Galatians 2:5 as ‘subjection’.
This world teaches “submission”
is not a good word and no one still living in this world observing this world
traditions can accept this, as it is written: John 17:14, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they
are not of the world any more than I am of the world” (John 15:18-20
v. 19 “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as
its own…”; John 17:6-18; 1 Corinthians 2; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John
4:4-6, v. 5 “They are from the world and therefore speak
from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them”; Hebrews
11:13-14; Ephesians 2:19).
The word 'silent'
in the original Greek is 'hsucia',
transliterated word is 'hesuchia' meaning
quietness or silence; describing one who stays at home doing his or her own
work, and does not meddle in the affairs of others. Translated in the New American
Standard Bible (NASB) as “quiet”, quiet fashion,
and quietly. The word 'learn' in the original Greek is 'mangano', transliterated word is 'manthano' meaning to learn, to increase one's
knowledge, to hear, be informed, learn by use and practice, to be in the habit
of, accustomed to; translated in the NASB as “learn”,
learned, learning, educated, receive instruction, and find (all definitions are
Strong’s Lexicon).
·
11 A woman must
quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But
I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain
quiet.
·
13 For it was Adam
who was first created, and then Eve.
Also, translated in
Acts 22:2 as “more silence” and in 2 Thessalonians 3:12 as ‘quietness’
(Strong’s Greek 2271). Therefore, we must conclude that believing women
are to receive instructions in silence, and remain in subjection to men
in the Church service of the Saints of God. Believing women
are not to usurp the authority of men who are their head and teach them,
such as asking questions in the congregations of the Lord’s people;
or assuming they are allowed to teach in the churches of the Living God.
The phrase "I do not permit a woman
to teach" in 1 Timothy 2:12 refers to: God's ordained
order of authority for men to be the head of believing women of the faith in
the churches of the Living God (1 Corinthians 11:3, 6-7 10), and believing
wives should submit to the authority of their own husbands (whether believing
or unbelieving) in their homes. However, those unbelieving women are not
included here as they still belong to this world and unable to accept these
things nor can they hear for these things are “spiritual realities”
(1 Corinthians 2:12-14); also, this do not include women of the
spiritual “Laodicea” church, who “are neither cold not hot” which include many today claiming to
be Christians while refusing to accept all of God’s Word (Revelation 2:14-22
NIV).
In Genesis 3:16 KJV, God is clear and
the law plainly says concerning all men are the head of all women “thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee” (see Genesis 4:7 KJV where it’s said, “sin lieth at the door. And
unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him”).
As it is written, “22 Wives,
be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. 23 For the
husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the
body of which He is the Savior” (Ephesians
5:22-23 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). All of these clearly written Scriptures support the teachings that
women are not allowed to rule over men and not allowed to teach men spiritual
things in “the congregations of the Lord’s
people”.
Therefore, this law
of not allowing believing women to be public teachers in the churches of the
Saints is completely in line with other Holy Scriptures
(remember Scripture interprets itself, Isaiah 28:9-13). As, giving women
the right of teaching places women as head of men in the churches of “the
congregations of the Lord’s people” causing disorder in the churches of
the Living God (1 Corinthians 14:33 listed above). Men would
have to submit to women in the churches, and husbands would be in subjection to
their wives in the home and the churches causing disorder.
We as women and men
of the faith know the Scriptures says, “God is not
a God of disorder” (Hebrews
13:17 and 1 Cor. 14:33 NIV). This doctrine of allowing
women to teach is against God's law and order of authority and would cause
disorder in “the congregations of the Lord’s
people”, as we see in the churches of this world, the synagogues of
the evil one (Revelation 2:9, 13, 24; 3:9). “Whoever has ears, let them
hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22 NIV).
·
9 Whom shall he
teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to
understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the
breasts.
·
10 For precept
must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little: 11 for with
stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To
whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and
this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
·
13 But the word of
the Lord was unto them
precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and
be broken, and snared, and taken.
The word ‘permit’
or “allow” in the original Greek is ‘ejpitrevpw’;
transliterated Word ‘Epitrepo’ phonetic
spelling ‘ep-ee-trep'-o’,
a verb (Strong’s Greek 2010). It means to turn to, transfer to, commit to, entrust
to, to instruct, to permit, allow, or give leave. In the KJV it is translated
as suffer, permit, give leave, give liberty, give license, and let (Strong’s
Lexicon). In 1 Corinthians 16:7, the word is translated as 'permits'.
The phrase "to
teach" is translated from the Greek word 'dida/skw' a primary verb 'dao'
(to learn); transliterated word 'Didasko, did-as'
meaning to teach, to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them,
deliver didactic discourses, to be a teacher, to discharge the office of a
teacher, conduct one's self as a teacher, to teach one, to impart instruction, instill
doctrine into one, the thing taught or enjoined, to explain or expound a
thing, or to teach one something. Also translated as taught, teaching, and
preaches (Strong's definition).
In light of this
truth of God, true believing men of the faith should not
allow or transfer to women their rightful place as teachers in the churches of
the Living God; otherwise, just as the evil one deceived
the Woman in Genesis 3 (see 2 Corinthians
11:3; 1 Timothy 2:14). Revelation 2:20 tells us the women
of this world’s churches will not repent of this false doctrine
represented spiritual by the woman Jezebel in the Book of Revelation
of the Lord Jesus Christ where it says, these women’ “teaching”
misleads and lead the servants (both men and women) of God astray.
In Titus 2:3 (NKJV),
the Holy Spirit says women are be "teachers
of good things" (Strong’s Greek 2567 noble and honorable things);
it is understood here that women are being examples and teaching other women in
the faith (see Titus 2 listed below) and not men. They can teach
children in their homes bringing them up in the Lord. As was Timothy by his
mother Eunice and grandmother Lois who taught him from childhood, the way of
the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15). Women may teach in
private other women, in their homes to children or other informal private
gatherings of other women; however, the Holy Scriptures are clear to receive
proper teachings of the Word of God when men come of age these believing men
are to be the teachers not women. Again, believing women are not allowed to
teach in the “congregations of the Lord’s people” or in
public places (1 Corinthians 14:33).
·
3 Likewise, teach
the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or
addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
Believing women along
with their husbands present also may help men to understand the Holy Scriptures
more fully in private. As in Acts 18:26 (NKJV) when
Apollos taught in Ephesus, Aquila the husband and Priscilla the wife "took
him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately". I
like to point out here that this woman Priscilla was with her husband and not
acting on her own as women who call themselves preachers so often do today
in the current times.
Those who say women
can teach in the churches often quote this Scripture as proof those women
taught men in the New Testament Church. After examining
this verse in context, we see both Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside
privately (not just the wife or woman by herself). Meaning Aquila and
Priscilla did as any mature Christians would or should do to any minister
teaching in error (however in today’s churches of this world most
ministers lord it over the flock following the
doctrine of the Nicolaitans would not receive such correction from their
members whether man or woman – Revelation 2:6, 15; Jude 1:12).
Here, I must point
out that those who wish to have women teach and have authority over them in the
churches like to point out that in Acts 18:18 Priscilla (the
wife) is listed first (some Bible versions list Priscilla before her husband
in verse 26 also) meaning she was the leading one of the two (or more
outspoken in the faith than her husband).
Also, a point I have
used in explaining Scriptures, how the Holy Scriptures list the leading person
first at times. Here this may be true also, seeing that we have women believers
and men unbelievers (the very fact that these women are believers means they
are more mature in understanding spiritual things than unbelieving men or
husbands). However, in Acts 18:26 where Apollos received the
instructions, Aquila (the husband) is listed first as in verse 18:2
and 18:26 (see the KJV and NKJV where Aquila, the husband is
listed first). See also 1 Corinthians 16:19 where Aquila, the
husband is listed first in all English translations.
In light of other Holy
Bible versions (see Acts 18 NIV below)
listing Priscilla first after Acts 18:2, 26, we must concede that
Priscilla was listed first for some reason in these verses in the beginning;
however, in all English translations in 1 Corinthians 16:19 Aquila, the
husband is listed first (church meetings held in their house). There is one
explanation that seems to be in line with other Scriptures. Priscilla, the wife
was a believer in the faith before her husband; Aquila, the husband was not
fully converted to the Way at the time they met Apollos in Ephesus. Yet, he did
convert fully later. See Strong’s definitions below where Priscilla is said to
be a “Christian woman”, and Aquila is said to be a “convert to
Christ”; in Acts 18:2, Aquila is referred to as a Jew but Priscilla
as his wife, and apostle Paul on several occasions listed Priscilla first in
his greetings (Luke 22:24-26 the Lord Jesus Christ says, “the leader should
be like a servant” and not “lord it over” the people; 1 Peter 5:2; Romans
16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19). All of which changes nothing concerning women role
in the churches of the Living God as Aquila, the husband and head of his wife is
listed first when speaking about the church in their home.
Either way,
we as Christians cannot in view of all other Scripture draw a conclusion that
Priscilla was a teacher in the churches of God from this one fact alone as no other
Scripture show Priscilla teaching in the churches of the Saints of the Living
God. And the Scripture is very clear and it plainly set forth women are not to
teach and have authority over believing men of the churches of the Living God. Remember
any conclusions’ we as Christians come to must be in line and supported by
other Holy Scriptures; otherwise, we have drawn false conclusions.
In Acts 18:25,
it is said that Apollos only knew the baptism of John’s teachings, and not the
teachings of the baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving the
Holy Spirit. These are the facts that both Priscilla and her husband Aquila
together took Apollos aside privately in their home and explained the Holy Scriptures
more fully to him (see NIV version below and Acts 19:1-7 NIV
concerning “John’s baptism” the “baptism of repentance”
and the baptism in the “name of the Lord Jesus”).
Acts 18 (NIV)
·
18 1 After this, Paul
left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There
he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy
with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome.
Paul went to see them, 3 and because he
was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every
Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
·
5 When Silas and
Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to
the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But
when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest
and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From
now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
·
7 Then Paul left
the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius
Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus,
the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many
of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
·
9 One night the
Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking,
do not be silent.
10 For I am with you, and no one is going to
attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half,
teaching them the word of God.
·
12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the
Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of
judgment.
13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading
the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
·
14 Just as Paul was about to speak,
Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some
misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But
since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the
matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So
he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd
there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the
proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
·
18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some
time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria,
accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut
off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They
arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself
went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them,
he declined. 21 But as he left, he
promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from
Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea,
he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
·
23 After spending some time in Antioch,
Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region
of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
·
24 Meanwhile a Jew
named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man,
with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He
had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a] and taught
about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He
began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him,
they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more
adequately.
·
27 When Apollos
wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to
the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to
those who by grace had believed. 28 For
he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the
Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
a.
Acts
18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit
Notice the word “they”
in verse 26 invited Apollos to “their” home, and notice
also the phrase “a Jew named Aquila” in Acts 18:2 is said
of Aquila and not Priscilla.
The Greek word ‘Åakuvlaß’ probably for Latin Aquila (an
eagle); transliterated word ‘Akulas’
phonetic spelling ‘ak-oo'-las’,
a noun Masculine; Aquila = "an eagle", a Jew of Pontus, a
tent maker converted to Christ, companion and ally of Paul in propagating
Christianity (Strong’s definition).
The Greek word ‘Privskilla’, transliterated word ‘Priscilla’
phonetic spelling ‘pris'-cil-lah’,
a noun Feminine; Priscilla = "ancient" a Christian woman, the
wife of Aquila.
The phrase "to
have authority over a man" in verse 12 of 1
Timothy 2 (NKJV), the word 'authority' in the original Greek is 'augento', transliterated word 'authenteo'
meaning one who acts on his own authority, autocratic, and absolute
master, to govern, exercise dominion over; translated once in NAS Bible
version as 'exercise authority over' (Strong’s Greek 831). In the
KJV it’s translated as “to usurp authority over" men.
Women by teaching in the public usurp the authority of men in the
churches and homes as the Scriptures show us that those who feed the sheep of
God are rulers over those God have given them (not as this world teaches but as
Matthew 20:24-26 – listed below).
There are many
Scriptures showing that the God’s people being fed by those who hold authority
in the churches must "obey those who rule over" them "and
be submissive" (2 Timothy 5:17 and Hebrews 13:7,17). I ask this
question, if women teach or preach in the churches, are men and husbands
commanded to submit to women and their wives? Would not the Scripture
itself be contradicting itself in Colossians 3:18 where it says, "wives,
submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord"? Would
women who call themselves preachers now become the head of men in the churches (1
Corinthians 11: 3)? Are not the husbands of women who call themselves
preachers still the head of their household? Husbands would have to submit to
their preacher wives in the churches.
Do you still not
see how confusing and how much disorder this would cause in the churches of the
Living God? Yet, the so-called Bible scholars of the
churches of this world are gladly accepting this thing called “equal in
authority for all women in the churches” teaching for doctrine of commandments
of men (Mark 7:6-8; Titus 1:13-15). With the slogan, “if God
gave them the ability to teach, why can’t they use it in the congregations
of the saints”?
These women who
call themselves "ministers" are acting on their own authority
and not God's. As Christ Jesus, the Lord and Savior of us all says, these women
refuse to repent: “20 But
I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls
herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice
sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I
gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality” (Revelation
2:20-21 English Standard Version (ESV).
The first reason
given why the woman is not to “exercise authority" over man
is “Adam was formed first, then Eve" in 1 Timothy 2:13,
the original order of creation. Adam was created first by God out of the
dust of the ground (Adam even named all the creatures without the Woman and
before she was even created) then God created the Woman out of Adam’s rib for
the man, for man's comfort, and as man's helper in this present age (Genesis
2:20-22).
These verses show
women were subject to men before the fall, and not
just as a result of the fall as some would have you to believe. These verses
show us why a woman should not "have authority over the man." It proves God’s ordinance and law, which
places the woman in subjection to man before the fall. This Scripture gives
us two major reasons for woman subjection to the man; yes, Adam was created
before the Woman, but here's two more: 1) The Woman was made out of
Adam, and 2) The Woman was made for Adam (Genesis 2:15, 18-24 and 1 Corinthians
11:8-9).
Please note in Genesis
2:23 Adam says of the Woman "She shall be called Woman, because
she was taken out of Man." Then again in Genesis 3:20 its
said, “Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother
of all living”; the Woman was renamed “Eve” by the
Man Adam after the fall, again showing Adam’s authority over the Woman (Eve) – here
we see Adam, the Man renamed the Woman, Eve just as he named every living
creature of the field and every bird in the air (Genesis 2:19-20, 3:20).
So, we see that
Adam was given authority over the Woman prior to the fall of man in the Garden
of Eden. Adam represented all mankind (his sin represented the sin of all
mankind including women) and by this very fact alone shows women subjection
to men; as well as, wives are to be subjected to their husbands (1 Corinthians
15:20-22 and 1 Corinthians 15:45-49). I mean if the wife is subjected to
her husband, then sound spiritual judgment and logic says a woman is subjected
to man; for how can women not the subjected to men before marriage (not in
subjection) then afterwards they are?
Another
point is this: Adam instructed the Woman concerning not eating of the
tree of knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the Garden of Eden. It
appears from Genesis 3:3 that Adam even instructed his wife with
the added words “do not touch the tree”). See Genesis 2:16-17,
where it’s recorded that the Lord God commanded Adam about not eating from the tree
of knowledge of good and evil prior to the Woman being created (see also
Genesis 3:9-11, 17). Again, this shows Adam’s authority over the Woman by
God instructing the Man Adam and the Man Adam giving these spiritual
instructions to the Woman in the beginning of the creation of mankind, and
the Lord God held Adam accountable for all creation (Romans 5:12).
1 Timothy 2 (NKJV)
·
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the
woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
The second reason given
why the woman is not to “exercise authority" over man is in 1
Timothy 2:14 listed above; please take note of this Scripture and hear
what the Holy Spirit is saying here; the Man Adam was not deceived by the
serpent (Satan), the Man Adam disobeyed God for his wife - he was willing
more to die with his wife than to live with God (see Job 31:33
and Hosea 6:7). And men throughout the Holy Bible have chosen at times to
follow their woman rather than God. The Woman Eve was “deceived”
by Satan and “fell into transgression” not the Man Adam which is
the second reason given by the Holy Spirit as to why a woman should not “exercise
authority” over men (Revelation 2:20).
There is one thing
we as followers of Christ Jesus must understand about this Garden of Eden event,
the Woman Eve’s story; that is, how Satan led her astray, deceiving the woman
and not the man (there’s a reason the Scripture points this out as seen
throughout the Holy Scriptures). Yes, it’s how Satan
deceived the Woman and not the Man Adam and the Woman “fell into
transgression” leading the Man, Adam into disobedience
of the command of God (Genesis 3:17 listed below). Adam, the Man disobeyed
God putting all humankind under the penalty of death until the second Adam, the
Man Jesus Christ, the Son of God became our Passover Lamb for our sins (Romans
5:12-21 listed below; 1 Cor. 15:20-23; 1 Cor. 15:35-49; 1 Cor. 5:7, and
Revelation 5).
·
20 But in fact
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 21 For
since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also
come through a human being; 22 for as all die in Adam, so all
will be made alive in Christ.
a.
1
Corinthians 15:47 Other ancient authorities add the Lord
b. 1
Corinthians 15:49 Other ancient authorities read let us
Please notice the
story of the "fall" of man, and Eve being deceived by
the serpent to have a full understanding as to what's been said by the Holy
Spirit here in 1 Timothy 2 and also in 1 Corinthians 14 (explained
in Part 4 of this study):
Genesis 3 (NIV)
·
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had
made. He said to the woman, "Did God
really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" 2 The woman
said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but
God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the
garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
·
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent
said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will
be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
·
6 When the woman saw that
the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also
desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to
her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
·
7 Then the eyes of both of them were
opened, and they realized they were naked; so
they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the
man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the
garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees
of the garden.
·
9 But the LORD God called
to the man, "Where are you?" 10 He
answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I
was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
·
11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have
you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
·
12 The man said, "The woman you
put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
·
13 Then the LORD God said to the
woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The
serpent deceived me, and I ate."
·
14 So the Lord God said to the
serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all
wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days
of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and
the woman, and between your offspring[a] and hers; he will crush[b] your head, and you will strike his
heel.”
·
16 To the woman He said, "I
will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth
to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over
you."
·
17 Then to Adam He said, "Because
you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I
commanded you, saying, "You shall not eat of it”:
"Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the
days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of
your face you shall eat bread. Till you return to the ground, for out of it you
were taken; for dust you are, And to dust you shall
return." 20 And Adam called his wife's name
Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Notice in verse
1, it describes the serpent as being “more crafty
than” other wild animals created by God. The word “crafty”
in the English means skillful in cleverness, an expert
in the use of deceitfulness and cunning (Webster’s definition). Notice how
smooth and cunningly the serpent seduced the Woman into eating the fruit. The
serpent (the deceiver – Revelation 12:9) first asked the Woman "Did
God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'“ I
am sure since the serpent asked this question he knew what God had said, and
it’s a given that he knew the Woman could eat of some of the trees in the
Garden of Eden.
According to Scriptures,
the Man was created a period time before God formed the Woman from the Man’s
rib. The Woman arriving on the scene of creation a while later as a “helper”
to the Man (Genesis 2:18 proving the Woman was made for Man and created to help
Man). Now, the serpent chose to tempt and deceive the Woman to sin against
God. The Woman later named Eve answers the serpent question (Genesis 3:1),
saying that God had told them not to even touch the tree of knowledge of
good and evil (Genesis 3:3).
This instruction
came from the Woman's husband Adam as Scriptures tell us that God instructed
the Man- again assuming the Man Adam instructed her and not God (the
Scripture is silent here but making a spiritual judgment based on the
reading of this Scripture where the Holy Spirit says the “Man”
was “commanded” by God “not to eat from” the “tree
of the knowledge of good and evil”). One reason to believe Adam
instructed the Woman and not God is the Woman response to the Serpent saying, “must
not touch it” (see Genesis 2:16-17 where God did not include
the part about “must not touch it”; therefore, the Man Adam added this in his
instruction to the Woman).
Also, notice God’s
language to Adam in verse 11 of Genesis 3 above “I
commanded you not to eat from”, and verse 17 of Genesis 3
you “have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, "You
shall not eat of it”. And other Scriptures where Adam is said to be
responsible for all humankind bring die to all (1 Corinthians 15;
Romans 5).
Nowhere, in Genesis
2 and 3 is the Woman said to have received instructions from God about not
touching the tree, nor do God Himself say He instructed Eve in the punishment
verses; the Lord God only commanded this to the Man, Adam who was
responsible for teaching the Woman as the Holy Spirit tells us that the sin of Adam
brought death to all mankind including Eve (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians
15:20-22).
See also, Genesis
2:8-9, 15-17 below for God’s command to Adam about “the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil”:
Therefore, we must
conclude that Adam instructed his wife Eve not to even touch “the
tree of the knowledge of
good and evil”. Now, in verse 6
of Genesis 3 it says the Woman “saw that the fruit of the tree was
good for food” (“lust of the flesh”), “pleasing to the eye”
(“lust of the eyes”), and “desirable for gaining wisdom” (“pride
of life”) the Woman and the Man loved this world and the things in it
more than God (1 John 2:15-17). The Woman, Eve and the Man, Adam chose
“to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” rather than obeying
God (Hebrews 11:25 (NIV)).
This same method of
deception and temptation used by Satan then on the Woman, Eve is used today on
those who are perishing and desiring these things in this life; the Woman
wanted to “gained wisdom” from the fruit of “the
tree of the knowledge of
good and evil”.
Again, I say the
second reason given in verse 14 of 1 Timothy 2 is “Adam
was not deceived, but the woman being deceived fell into
transgression”. A woman should not teach or have authority over a man
or her husband, because she was deceived and "Adam was not deceived".
In the Garden of
Eden, the Woman Eve reversed the role by instructing Adam concerning
the tree of knowledge of good and evil which God had already instructed the
Man, Adam not to eat of it (Gen. 2:8-9, 15-17 and Gen. 3:6, 12). Adam
was persuaded by his wife to eat from the tree’s fruit of good and evil as he
was there with her when the evil one deceived the Woman (Gen. 3:6
“She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he
ate it”). The Woman reasoning as the serpent
said to her in Genesis 3:4-5 that she would not die from touching it
nor from eating it but would become “like God”. So,
she took it and she ate some and offered Adam some to eat also who was with her
– they wanted to be “like God”; the same sin of the Serpent,
Satan, the evil one – Revelation 12:7-9; Luke 10:18; Ezekiel 28.
The key to the
woman being denied to teach and rule over man - she
seduced and persuaded Adam to eat willingly of the fruit. In Genesis
3:17 God says of Adam, "you have heeded the voice of your
wife”. Adam willingly ate of the fruit subjecting himself to death with
his wife because he desired more to be with her than with God. We have some
women "who call themselves" ministers out there who seems to
take pride in the fact that Adam willingly sinned, and the Woman was only
deceived into sinning by the serpent, the evil one. The Man, Adam was not
willing to allow his wife to die alone - choosing to disobey God to please his
wife and die with her.
Again, hear what
the Holy Spirit is saying here, why the woman is not permitted
"to teach" in the churches of God? And Adam, the Man “heeded
the voice” of the Woman rather than obeying God
(2 Cor. 11:3; Gen. 3:17). If women were leading men in the churches, and
Satan deceived her then she would lead the entire congregation into sin as Eve
did Adam. She would lead the whole congregation into the deception (Revelation
2:20-21).
In the churches of
this world, the pastor is responsible for all decisions
with little or no input of the elders (if there are elders), or any other men
in the congregation who are able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2
and 2 Timothy 2:24). This is true even when other men with
equal or more spiritual ability than the pastor are present in their
congregations.
Many churches of
this present evil and adulterous age (synagogues of Satan – Revelation 2:9;
3:9) are mostly set-up outside of the biblical mandate (see Acts 14:23,
Acts 15, Acts 20:17, Acts 21:18, 1 Tim. 4:14, 1 Tim. 5:17,
Titus1: 5, Jas. 5:14, and 1 Pet. 5:1-11), where elders ruled in the
churches of the saints not "a" one man show and these women
who call themselves ministers.
Apostle Paul appointed
elders in the “the congregations of the Lord’s people” and exhorted
others such as Titus and Timothy to appoint "elders"
in every congregation not "a" pastor as in most churches
today (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5; 2 Cor. 1:24). These pastors in the
churches of this world lord it over their flock making it all the easier
for men and women who call themselves pastors to be lead astray along with their
followers (Ezekiel 34; Revelation 2:6, 15 where Christ Jesus speaks against the
practices and teaching of the Nicolaitans).
The word “minister”
means servant – as teachers we serve those whom we teach – not lording it over
them, as our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus says:
·
20 Then the mother
of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and
asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She
said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right
hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
·
22 But Jesus
answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to
drink
the
cup that I am about to drink, [a]and be baptized
with
the
baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”
·
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed
drink My cup, [b]and be baptized
with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on
My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My
Father.”
·
24 And when the
ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.
·
25 But Jesus
called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the
Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over
them.
·
26 Yet it shall not be
so among you; but whoever desires
to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever
desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—
·
28 just as the Son of Man did
not come to be served, but to serve,
and
to
give His life a ransom for many.”
a.
Matthew
20:22 NU omits and be baptized with the baptism that I am
baptized with
b.
Matthew
20:23 NU omits and be baptized with the baptism that I am
baptized with
The Lord God in the
Garden of Eden seeing this power of persuasion by the Woman
over the Man caused the woman to have even more desire towards her husband (she
would desire his rule - need his rule – see also Genesis 4:7), and Adam
(the Man) who already had authority over the Woman was given even more rulership
over the woman as her lord and master on earth in this present evil age - Genesis
3:16 (NIV) where it says, the Man, “he will rule over you”; 1 Corinthians 14:34 “as the law says”.
In 1 Peter 3:5-6
NIV, it says, believing women should be “like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and
called him her lord”. This is God’s will that the believing
woman submit and obey her husband (Ephesians 21-24; Colossians
3:18; 1 Peter 3:1 (NIV) where the apostle Peter being
carried about by the Holy Spirit says, “Wives, in the same way submit
yourselves to your own husbands”.
The serpent of old,
Satan the devil (Revelation 12:9) knew the
Woman was "the weaker vessel" or “partner” (1 Peter
3:7 NIV). Satan tempted the Woman with his deceitfulness. Throughout the
Scriptures, we have examples of women leading men astray into error and from
the Living God in heaven (see Revelation 2:20 NIV where Christ
Jesus says, the Woman Jezebel calling “herself a prophet. By
her teaching she misleads My servants”).
God warned His chosen
nation, Israel not to marry the women of the other Nations
being driven out of the promise land because they would cause them to turn away
from the One True God and serve other gods (Deut. 7:3-4 listed below); 1
Kings 11:2-4 (NIV) where it’s said, the wise King Solomon “wives led him
astray”).
·
3 Do
not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take
their daughters for your sons, 4 for
they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and
the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.
Think about
this, the Man Adam was in the Garden of Eden alone for
some time before the Woman Eve was created. And the Man Adam (a type of
Christ) was responsible for the sin of all mankind when he willingly took of
the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil from his wife (Romans
5:12-21). In Romans 5:17, it shows that Adam's sin was
responsible for the death penalty of all mankind and not the deception of Eve
(who was completely seduced by the serpent).
Again, showing men
authority over women for Adam represented all mankind including the Woman Eve,
and all other women. Sadly, there are those who call themselves wise in this
world (1 Cor. 3:18-19) claiming that Adam’s sin did not pass to all
mankind - when the Scripture clearly states: this Man, "Adam is a
symbol, a representation of Christ” (Romans 5:14 below). The Holy Spirit clearly
and plainly says this of the Man Adam not the Woman Eve.
·
12 When Adam
sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone,
for everyone sinned.
13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was
given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to
break.
·
14 Still, everyone died—from the time
of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit
commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a
representation of Christ, who was yet to come.
·
15 But there is a great difference
between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man,
Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and
his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.
·
16 And the result of God’s gracious gift
is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led
to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God,
even though we are guilty of many sins.
·
17 For the sin of
this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater
is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it
will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
·
18 Yes, Adam’s one
sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness
brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
·
19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because
one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
·
20 God’s law was
given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people
sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
·
21 So just as sin
ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s
wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting
in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In Genesis 3:9-12,
God called and spoke to Adam as the spiritual leader and head of the Woman.
The Man Adam who is seen as a type of Christ Jesus (Romans 5:12-21; 1
Cor.15:45-49). God did not address the Woman Eve until later, in which He
only asked her, “What is this you have done?” (Genesis 3:13 NIV).
The Man Adam’s
sin represented all mankind, the Woman Eve’s sin and her ability to persuade
others into deception were pass on to all women.
Adam (the Man) not being deceived still disobeyed the Word of God; Adam
listened to and followed his wife, the Woman Eve (Genesis 3:17).
Throughout the Holy
Scriptures, we see examples where the man followed a woman and her religion or behavior,
disobeying God in the process. This was Adam's sin notice what it says here in 1
Timothy 2:14..."Adam was not deceived"
only Eve was deceived; yet, Adam still “listened” and “heeded”
the voice of his wife and followed her.
Also, remember
throughout the Holy Scriptures God warns the people of Israel not to marry the
daughters of those whom He was driving out of the promise land. Please take
note of these Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 11:3 and 1 Timothy 2:14 and
realize what the Holy Spirit is saying in them; Adam was not deceived by the
serpent (Satan), Adam disobeyed God for his wife - Adam was willing more to die
with his wife than to obey and live with God - and man throughout time have
chosen at times to follow the woman rather than follow and obey God.
Speaking to the
Corinthians and us today the apostle Paul, a true apostle of Christ Jesus fearing
for our salvation in 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV); the apostle Paul exclaims...
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the
serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and
pure devotion to Christ”... By the smooth and deceitful words of those
who wish to have women rule over them and teach in “the congregations of
the Lord’s people”, (Colossians 2:8).
1 Timothy 2:15
·
15 Nevertheless she will be saved in
childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Notice what God says in Genesis 3:16, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children”. This refers to all women because the Woman (Eve) represented all women in her deception and sin. Here in 1 Timothy 2:15 the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostle Paul states that “she” referring to women in general applying Eve’s sin to all women. The reason given is that women through their ability to bear children will be saved “if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control”.
You may ask what about women
who cannot bear children? Well, this phrase “saved in childbearing”
speaks more to the fact that God used women throughout the ages to bear children
who became His servants and prophets. From righteous Abel to our Lord and
Savior the Man Christ Jesus, with Christ Jesus being born to the woman
Mary; Christ Jesus who is the Savior of all of us, His Creation (Psalms 40:6-8;
Hebrews 10:5-7; John 1:1-18; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:10-12; Acts 5:30-32).
All mankind is saved through the Man Christ Jesus; thereby, women since they can bear children are very important in the salvation of all mankind (including women). Yes, women had the ability to bear children prior to their transgression, but because of this transgression God “greatly” increased their “pains in childbearing” (where the word “increase” implies pain was already there).
Yes, we know not all women do not and cannot bear children, but this verse speaks concerning women in general having the ability to reproduce the seeds leading up to the “Seed”, God our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, the transgression brought the need for a Savior (Galatians 3:16,19), which God prophesied and promised in Genesis after the "fall of man".
As the Woman Eve became the
mother of all living, and including the “Seed” through Mary, the
woman who bore Jesus the Christ, the Savior of all mankind (Genesis 12:7;
Gen. 13:15; Gen. 24:7; Gen. 3:15, 20; Galatians 3:15-17; Acts 13:22-24).
Therefore, I exhort you to stop twisting the
Holy Scriptures to suit your own beliefs and private interpretations by
accepting the viewpoint of this present evil age rather than the plain Word of
God on this subject. Repent therefore of your wrongful
thinking, and submit your life to following the things of God rather than the
things of this world.
However, the Holy Scriptures tells us that
there are “many” in this present age; just as the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of
the Living God says, “many” who will not repent of their unbelief and endless
myths.
Matthew
7:21-23 NKJV - I Never Knew You
As it is written concerning the woman Jezebel, Christ Jesus our
Great High Priest and Master (Hebrews 4:14 and John 15:14-16) says:
Revelation
2:20-21 King
James Version (KJV)
Christ Jesus, the Son
of God is our example:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
·
“All Scripture is
given by inspiration of God…”
John 1:1-14 KJV
·
“1 In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The
same was in the beginning with God…14 And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us…”
Philippians
2:5-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Humbled and
Exalted Christ
·
5 Let this mind be in
you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of
God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal
with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of
men.
·
8 And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of
death, even the death of the cross.
·
9 Therefore God also
has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on
earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Footnotes
a.
Philippians
2:6 Or something
to be held onto to be equal
b. Philippians 2:7 emptied Himself of His privileges
Evangelist (Minister)
Ron Davis, a servant of Christ Jesus, of the Kush Edifying
Ministries proclaims the whole
counsel of God. This ministry believes in the command of Jesus to His disciples
in Matthew 10:7-8 “As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal
the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
Freely you have received, freely give” (NIV). Jesus commands us to “freely” preach the word without
demanding those preached to give us ten (10%) of their income or earnings.
Please send your comments to Evangelist Ron Davis, of the Kush Edifying Ministries.
OR if you want to debate my conclusion of in
this matter; if you want to argue your own
“private interpretation”, then please send it to the below listed email
address with your Scripture backing up what you wish to debate. Thanks, and may
God bless you in understanding His Holy and righteous word.
Now,
let us move to Women
in the churches of the saints of God, Part 7,
where we will examine and discuss the Word of God spoken by the Holy Spirit
through the Apostle Paul and other parts of the Holy Scriptures. Amen. Praise
God.