Written: 6:17.26
I’m sure I’m not the only one whose social media algorithm is being overrun with everything that is happening with the SBC’s decision to further restrict the role of women in church leadership. Previously, it was commonly accepted within the SBC for women to hold the title “Pastor,” as long as their core ministry function was directed toward pastoring women and/or children. After this year’s meeting of SBC leadership, an amendment was passed that removed the title from any woman within the SBC, meaning women cannot be a pastor of any kind within the SBC.
This only serves as a backdrop to my post. There are two primary passages in the NT where Paul directly speaks to the role of women pastors.
1 Cor. 14:33-35 and 1 Tim.2:12-14
For those who are complementarian in their theology, these two passages are foundational to their viewpoint that women aren’t to hold any position of authority over men.
My post will focus solely on 1 Tim. 2:12-14. My reasons are that 1) this post is a study of this passage and not a topical survey of the concept of women in leadership. 2) 1 Cor. 14:33-35, while sharing some thematic similarities with 1 Tim. deals with a completely separate issue that Paul addresses. 1 Cor. deals with women disrupting the teaching of the word, while 1 Tim. deals with the role of women regarding the teaching of the word. These are different enough that they must be handled separately. 3) 1 Tim. is the true “flagship” passage for complementarian beliefs.
This post offers some thoughts, questions, and observations on 1 Tim. I will offer my final thoughts on 1 Tim. 2 in my conclusion, but I will not attempt an exhaustive treatment on the topic of women in Kingdom leadership. That is for a WHOLE OTHER post (possibly a book).
Before you read any further, you must know that I come from an egalitarian background where women in ministry, preaching, and pastoring were not sources of debate. While not nearly as prevalent as men, I’ve listened to women preachers, seen women pastors, and experienced women in a variety of leadership roles in the church. This is going to create a framework for me, obviously. I am taking some time to acknowledge this fact. While I will attempt to be fully unbiased, I cannot help but recognize the natural bias I bring to the discussion.
For those who are unfamiliar with the terms “complementarian” and “egalitarian,” I will give you a high-level definition for you to work with. This definition is not meant to be exhaustive, but merely enough for the reader to understand the two differing opinions on women in kingdom leadership.
Complementarian - the ideological framework that women were created to be a complement to men. Men are created by God to lead in every aspect of life: business, marriage, the family, and the church. Women are made to be a helpmate to men.
Egalitarian - the ideological framework that men and women are created equal and co-heirs to God’s kingdom and His kingdom purposes here on earth. Women have equal rights and opportunity to lead in churches and in business as men. While all egalitarians agree on the above beliefs, there is some difference between egalitarians regarding leadership in marriages and families, depending on how staunchly egalitarian a person is.
With these ideas in mind, let’s dive into 1 Tim. 2:12-14
Right off the bat, I must express my frustration with those who espouse 1 Tim. 2:12-14 as the cornerstone of complementarian theology. The reason for this frustration is that v.12-14 are “cherry-picked” out of a larger passage dealing with instructions for worship and for women. As Gordon Fee once said, “You don’t have text without context.” So one can’t form a theological framework by pulling one or two verses out of context. The proper passage to study is 1 Tim. 2:9-15. Here’s that passage:
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, [fn]modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 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 [fn]created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, [fn]fell into transgression. 15 But women will be [fn]preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with [fn]self-restraint.
Below is a link to my thoughts as I read through and studied 1 Timothy 2:8-15. They are my unfiltered questions and comments as I studied the text.