Can Women Teach Men?

 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 1 Tim 2:11–12 NIV

1 Tim 2:11-15 The subordination of women in this passage is situational, not an eternal law.

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer
or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 1 Tim 1:3–4 NIV

There were certain people, men and women, who were teaching pagan doctrines. The dominant pagan religion in Ephesus was dominated by the goddess Artemis. A pagan form of feminism was infiltrating the Christian church. Women were dominant in Artemis worship and some women were trying to dominate after their Christian conversion.

Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.

They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently. 1 Tim 1:4–7 NLT

It is clear here that not all the instructions in 1 Timothy are meant for all the Christians in Ephesus, and certainly not for all Christians or all women at all times.

One aspect of Gnostic teaching was the invention of fables about Adam and Eve. Some of these can be found in 2nd century documents, but the ideas were already widespread in the later New Testament period.

A common feature of these stories is that Eve is idealised and often appears before Adam.

For Adam was created first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and fell into sin. 1 Tim 2:13-14

The point of these verses is to refute the false teachings of the early Gnostics.

 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 1 Tim 2:11–12 NIV

The domineering woman (or perhaps some domineering women) who was not to teach but to learn humbly was most likely one of the false teachers who spread Gnostic fables.

Incidentally, the word PERMISSION is a translation of EPITREPEO, a Greek word that always refers to situational instructions.

Women not Forbidden to Teach Men

 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1 Ti 2:11–13 NIV

1 Tim 2:11 - 15 The subordination of women in this text is not an eternal law. It is Paul’s response to some women in Ephesus who were teaching heresy.

I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine,

and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. 1 Ti 1:3–4 NRSV

Certain people were teaching heresy based on myths and legends.

Some people have deviated from these (genuine love, faith and bible truth) and turned to meaningless talk,
desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. 1 Ti 1:6–7 NRSV

It is clear to understand here that not all the instructions in 1 Timothy are meant for all Christians in Ephesus and are certainly not meant for all Christians or all women in all times.

The heresy that Paul is correcting is a kind of extreme Gnostic feminism, which elevated women above men.

One aspect of Gnostic teaching was the invention of fables about Adam and Eve. Some of these can be found in 2nd century documents, but the ideas were already prevalent in the later New Testament period.

A common feature of these stories is that Eve is idealised and often appears before Adam.

For Adam was formed first, then Eve;
and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 1 Ti 2:13–14 NRSV

The point of these verses is to refute the false teachings of the early Gnostics.

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1 Ti 2:11–13 NIV

The dominant woman (or perhaps some dominant women) who was not supposed to teach but to learn humbly was most likely one of the false teachers who spread Gnostic fables.

By the way, the word PERMISSION is a translation of EPITREPEO, a Greek word that always points to situational instructions, never to the commandments or universal laws of God.

For example.

A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. Lk 8:32 NIV

When God’s prophets or apostles declare a universal law or commandment, it never appears only in one bible text. When God declares laws, as in the Ten Commandments, we never find only one bible reference.

Some people refer to Paul’s injunction in 1 Corinthians 14 for women to keep silent in Church, but this too, is addressing a particular situation, in which women were interrupting the service by asking their better educated husbands to explain things.

Clearly, women in Corinth were allowed to speak in appropriate ways.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 1 Co 11:5 NIV

So women were authorised to prophesy in church, to speak for God as the Holy Spirit inspired them.

Priscilla and her husband were also authorised by Paul to be teachers in Ephesus.