Lesson 551

(Lesson 551)(02-18-13) 1 Timothy Chapter 2, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."

Today's lesson may not set well with some of you ladies, however, here it is in the words of an Apostle of Christ.

In the first portion of the lesson, Paul encourages Christians to pray continually for everyone, especially our leaders and those who are in positions of authority over others.
Secondly, Paul verifies his credentials as a divinely inspired messenger from God, through Jesus Christ by saying, "I speak the truth IN CHRIST, and lie not;".

He then goes on to tell Christian women how they are to dress and how they are to learn and accomplish their mission within the Church. Paul clearly says that women are not to teach, nor are they to be elevated to positions of authority over men in the Church. However, the instructions Paul gave to the women in this letter, appear to be in conflict with what is stated in Gal 3:26-29, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. *For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

I lean to believe that the restrictions Paul placed on women, in this lesson, are a carryover from Jewish religious tradition and not in line with what the scripture says is the role of a woman within today's Church. I don't believe that saved women are to be seen as inferior in Christ. Neither do I believe Paul intended that women not teach the gospel of Christ. For example, one of the most prominent names uttered in the beginning of Paul's ministry was that of a woman Priscilla. Acts 18:24-26, "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. She and her husband Aquila, were responsible for teaching Apollos the correct gospel of Christ recognizing that Apollos had only been taught *"the baptism of John". Had Priscilla not taken part in teaching Apollos, her name would not have been mentioned with her husband, Aquila.~

*"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." The use of the term "baptized", as it is applied in this text, has nothing to do with water immersion. The term implies an immersion into the body of Christ, His Church, by the acceptance of His sacrifice for the remission of sin as ones own.
**"The baptism of John" as the phrase is applied in this lesson is referring to the message John preached as he prepared for the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. The reference has nothing to do with the water immersions practiced by John the Baptist as required by Jewish law and tradition.