Please explain 1 Timothy 2:11-12.
Let us read 1 Timothy 2:11-12. “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.” Let us keep in mind that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Everything that God does is based on his loving character. Men and women receive the most blessing when they submit to God’s will as revealed in the Scriptures, even when God’s will is despised by most people. These verses describe God’s will for teaching and learning when both men and women are present in the meetings of the local church or assembly. The purpose of the truth presented in 1 Timothy is “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15).
The truth of 1 Timothy 2:11-12 is also found in 1 Corinthians 14:34. “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.” The men have the responsibility of teaching in the church or assembly. This does not make men superior to women. It only means that men have a different role than women. Oh, that more men would fulfill their God-given role by studying and teaching God’s Word in the assembly! Women are the heart of the assembly and are encouraged to do good works in 1 Timothy 2. Let us read 1 Timothy 2:8-10. “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness” (NASB).
Women are specifically encouraged to teach other women in Titus 2:3-5. “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Timothy was taught the Scriptures when he was a child. As we read in 2 Timothy 3:14-15, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Who was teaching Timothy? The Apostle Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:4-5, “Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” When we compare those Scriptures to each other, most likely Timothy was taught the Scriptures by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. I find it beautiful that the Lord honors these faithful women by mentioning their names to be read and admired by readers of His Holy Word through the centuries. Lois and Eunice were being obedient to Deuteronomy 6:6-7. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
In Acts 18 we read of Apollos, who “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.” Here we have an example of Aquila and his wife Priscilla who both taught Apollos in a private setting. No doubt Priscilla was submissive to her husband as she helped to teach Apollos. The Lord has used Godly women many times to teach men in a private atmosphere. As men, let us humbly receive private instruction from Godly women to help us understand God’s ways.
God’s will about women teaching is not popular, even among many Christians. However, abundant blessing is enjoyed when we do things God’s way. May the men be encouraged to study God’s Word and teach it in their local churches as the Spirit leads them. May the women also be encouraged to search the Scriptures to teach other women, children, and men in a private setting as led by the Holy Spirit. (316.5) (DJ)