Understanding Our Times and Knowing What to Do 1 Chron “And the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do…” Cf. Lk

How Shall We Now Live? The Role of Women Various Questions of Application

What Does “ Subjection ” Mean? “To arrange one’s self under in an orderly manner” “primarily a military term, to rank under” To obey or submit to in matters of opinion (cf. Rom ; Acts 5.29) Is it any different with a wife? 1 Pet 3.1-6; Eph

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands…Your adornment must not be merely external… but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. “ 1 Pet 3.1-6

What Does “ Subjection ” Mean? “To arrange one’s self under in an orderly manner” Does it mean to be a silent and have no voice in decisions? Cf. Acts Does it mean the husband makes all the decisions? Cf. 1 Tim 5.14: “primarily a military term, to rank under” To obey or submit to in matters of opinion (cf. Rom ; Acts 5.29) Is it any different with a wife? 1 Pet 3.1-6; Eph

1 Tim 5.14 “Therefore, I want younger [widows] to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach” Oikodespoteo – “house ruler”. Implied authority. Same Gk word as Mt 10.25; 13.27,52; 20.11; 21.33; 24.43, etc. – “head of the house”; “householder”; “landowner”

What Does “ Subjection ” Mean? “To arrange one’s self under in an orderly manner” Does it mean to be a silent and have no voice in decisions? Cf. Acts Does it mean the husband makes all the decisions? Cf. 1 Tim 5.14: “primarily a military term, to rank under” To obey or submit to in matters of opinion (cf. Rom ; Acts 5.29) Is it any different with a wife? 1 Pet 3.1-6; Eph

Questions of Application re. the Home Can women work outside the home? Primary sphere of her work -- 1 Tim 5.14; Tit 2.3-5; Prov 31 “Therefore, I want younger [widows] to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach” 1 Tim 5.14

Questions of Application re. the Home Can women work outside the home? Primary sphere of her work -- 1 Tim 5.14; Tit 2.3-5; Prov 31 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” Titus 2:3-5

Questions of Application re. the Home Can women work outside the home? Primary sphere of her work -- 1 Tim 5.14; Tit 2.3-5; Prov 31 But some latitude – Prov 31.16,24 “16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard …. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.” Prov 31.16,24

Can a woman have authority over a man in the workplace? 1 Cor – “in the churches” What about Deborah, the Judge of Israel? (Jud 4-5) 1. Unique situation. The only example of a woman taking a leading role in the entire Bible. 2. She lived during the times of the judges when “there was no king in Israel, each man did what was right in his own eyes” (Jud 17.5) 3. Never says that God raised her up as judge. Contrast (cf ,15; 6.14;13.25). 4. She complained that no man would lead (Jud 4.9; 5.6-7) Questions of Application re. the Home

Can a woman make decisions independently of her husband? Prov 31:11 -- “The heart of her husband trusts in her” Vs She “does him good” (Cf. Vs.1,24,26) Single women – who is their head? If they are young – their father (1 Cor 7.36f) An older single women -- Jesus Christ. Questions of Application re. the Home

Questions re. the Church Can a woman speak at all in church? What does “quietly receive instruction” (1 Tim 2.11) and “keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor 14.34) mean?

Questions re. the Church Can a woman speak at all in church? What does “quietly receive instruction” (1 Tim 2.11) and “keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor 14.34) mean? 1 Tim 2.11 “Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness”

Questions re. the Church Can a woman speak at all in church? What does “quietly receive instruction” (1 Tim 2.11) and “keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor 14.34) mean? 1 Cor “Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, as the Law also says. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.”

Questions re. the Church Can a woman speak at all in church? What does “quietly receive instruction” (1 Tim 2.11) and “keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor 14.34) mean? Do these mean absolute silence? The issue: authority. 1 Tim “quietly” Same word as vs.2 (cf. 1 Thes ; 2 Thes 3.12; Acts 11.18; 1 Pet 3.4). Not absolute silence, but a general disposition An attitude, not an absolute silence

What does “quietly receive instruction” (1 Tim 2.11) and “keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor 14.34) mean? “hold your piece” about a certain matter -- Lk 9.36; 20.26; Acts – In vs.27-28: addressing the congregation – In vs.29-31: addressing the congregation – In vs.34-36: addressing the congregation Cf. “as the Law also says” to Nu “Speak” = leading or addressing the assembly (vs.3-5,16,19,27,29) What about, “If any woman desires to learn anything…”? Questions re. the Church Can a woman speak at all in church? 1 Cor – “remain silent” – Perhaps referring to “passing judgment” -- vs.29

Can a woman teach if given permission by the men or elders? Questions re. the Church How can elders give permission to do what Paul forbids? Giving permission does not negate the teacher/leader authority. Even a man needs permission, so how different?

Women teaching men one-on-one in a private setting? Can a woman lead in prayer when everyone takes turns, but men present? 1 Tim 2.8 vs Questions re. the Church No “authority” is such situations A woman can teach a man – cf. 1 Cor to 2 Kings “Therefore I want the men [males] to pray in every place…Likewise I want the women to adorn themselves….Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet”

Women teaching men one-on-one in a private setting? Can a woman lead in prayer when everyone takes turns, but men present? 1 Tim 2.8 vs Questions re. the Church No “authority” is such situations A woman can teach a man – cf. 1 Cor to 2 Kings Can women participate in business meetings? -- Acts Woman deacons (deaconesses)? Servants, with no authority over a man -- Rom 16.1; 1 Tim

What Can Women Do? What is True Male Leadership? Next Week: