Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus speak at length about different roles in society and the church. By the time we come to these, we already have a clear picture about roles. They are not in any way negative. They are positive, especially in Christ. One can hold even the humblest earthly position while being in the most privileged position with God. This can be illustrated by slaves and their masters. Both can be God’s sons, with full privileges. They are welcomed equally, forgiven equally, treated with equal love and are equally powerful in prayer. While doing this, God still recognizes that they have different parts to play in earthly matters. God expects each to fulfill the role assigned to him on earth. That is why God gives specific instructions to Christian slaves. These are different from the instructions given to masters. Slaves are to obey their masters and to work cheerfully for them (1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9; Colossians 3:22-25; Ephesians 6:5-8; 1 Peter 2:18). Masters are to treat their slaves fairly and considerately, fearing the Lord who is impartial (Colossians 4:1; Ephesians 6:9). Does this make slaves less important in God’s eyes? Does God Himself discriminate and treat them worse? Obviously not. Indeed, their greater suffering and poverty can be part of their greater glory (James 1:9; 1 Peter 2:18-23).
THE PURPOSE OF 1 TIMOTHY
Paul tells us his purposes for writing the letter we call 1 Timothy. He leaves Timothy in Ephesus to guard against false teachings (1 Timothy 1:3) and to build a healthy congregation.
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:14-15).
Notice that the church is the household or family of God. A healthy family has healthy relationships. Members need to know where they fit in the family structure, how to treat fellow-members and what to expect of them in their roles. Paul answers questions like these:
- What is Timothy’s role as an evangelist?
- What sort of members should be appointed as leaders?
- Who should pray and teach?
- Who should care for the needy?
- How should you treat members who are older?
- How should you treat members of the opposite sex?
- How should members who are slaves behave?
- How should members who are rich behave?
1 TIMOTHY 2
When we see Paul’s emphasis on roles and relationships within the church-family, we can better understand 1 Timothy 2. It is not a detour. It is integral to how the family works together. Paul begins the letter by reminding Timothy of his doctrinal mission. Then Paul moves into details about the church’s activities. He stresses the importance of congregational prayer (1 Timothy 2:1). The family of God is not just concerned about itself. It cares for all people, including rulers, and that should be evident in its prayers. This is because God’s family reflects the loving heart of God who “desires all people to be saved” through the one Mediator (1 Timothy 2:4-7).
Having urged that prayers be made, Paul turns naturally to consider who should say these prayers. Paul wrote his letter in the Greek language. Here is the force of his wording in 1 Timothy 2:8:
I desire then that in every place the men [tous andras, the males] should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling (1 Timothy 2:8).
Paul uses the article (tous, the) with andras (plural of andros). He is being specific about who should pray, and his wording is clear: “I desire the adult males to pray.” That he means “the men” as contrasted with females is immediately confirmed by 1 Timothy 2:9 with its specific instructions for “women” (gunaikas, plural of gune). “The men” are to do this… “women” are to do that. Clearly, 1 Timothy 2:8-12 discusses different roles for men and women in the church.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet (1 Timothy 2:8-12).
WHY IS A WOMAN NOT TO TAKE THE LEAD?
Few dispute that this Scripture presents two distinct roles, one for males and another for females. But some cultures and social movements dislike the distinction. They seek various ways to downplay or disregard 1 Timothy 2:8-15. Some allege that Paul is adapting to that time’s patriarchal culture and has little or no relevance to modern culture. Others suggest that the women were too loud or that the false teachers were females and the easiest way to stop them was to silence all women. Surprisingly, some pay little attention to the reasons stated by the letter itself.
Immediately after saying that women must be silent, Paul launches into the reasons for what he has just commanded. He begins 1 Timothy 2:13 by saying, “For….” which introduces the reason. Paul begins 2:14 with “and” showing that there is a connection of thought. This is a second reason or an illustration of the first reason. What are the two thoughts of 1 Timothy 2:13-14?
For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor (1 Timothy 2:13-14).
Paul finds his primary reason in the order of events in the creation, before any human culture, ancient or modern. By God’s own choice, the man was made first, after that the woman (Genesis 2:4-25; 1 Corinthians 11:9, 12). By this arrangement, God set the pattern for leadership that has continued ever since then, both in the church (1 Timothy 3:1, 8) and, as the other letter to Ephesus shows, in the home (Ephesians 5:22-23).
The “and”—the second thought—comes from Genesis 3 when Satan convinced the woman to eat the forbidden fruit. She was the first to eat the fruit. Then she led her husband to eat it with her. In all this, Adam, whom God made first, was not fooled by Satan. He let his wife lead him into sin, but he did so with his eyes open. She, on the other hand, was thoroughly deluded by the serpent. So, it was the first time that the woman took the lead that the couple was led into sin. God then made it clear that the man was to “rule over” the woman (Genesis 3:16). These principles were established long before the customs of Judaism or Ephesus or modern society. These principles are the enduring, foundational reasons for men being the leaders.