When last I wrote on this topic, I shared that there are no direct references in scripture where God offers a dictum regarding the ministry and work of women in the church. To answer those who would use the above scripture reference as an opposing argument to my assertion, I also shared that this was a position held by Paul which he passed along to Timothy, not a directive or command from God. But, having said that, I want to also state that, though there are no specific scriptures to which we can point regarding God's commands on the subject, there are several "on point" scriptural and cultural references which, when kept in proper context, will allow us to see God's feelings on this matter. And it is from these where Paul has formulated his personal and authoritative position. Contrary to current societal belief, neither God nor Paul were chauvinistic and/or anti-women. God created women to be a perfect help-mate for man, and appointed them as the guardians and teachers of the children who would grow into the strong leaders God would put to work for His kingdom. Paul affirms this appreciation for the important position women were given by and for God's church when he encouraged Timothy to hold to the strong, true teaching he received, "from infancy", from both his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. In fact, Paul goes on to say that "women will be saved through child-bearing, if they continue in faith, love and holiness, with propriety."
This is not Paul's way of saying that women have been relegated by God to stay "barefoot and pregnant", but rather his way of letting them know that they have been given an awesome and extremely important position to fill. They key word here, from Paul, is the word propriety. This indicates that the faithful, holy, and loving woman will understand that there are distinct, but equal, positions in the church for men and women, and they respect and accept those distinctions, graciously. You see, like it or not, God set an order to things: man was created first, then woman. But, Eve put herself over Adam, who was created first, when she took the challenge from Satan, and convinced Adam to sin, which therefore inspires Paul to use the phrase "saved through childbearing" - indicating that women have been released from Eve's disobedience of God to be of great service to God. After all, God chose a woman to carry and raise His own Son (and if you think about it, how much do we read about Joseph regarding the parenting of Jesus?). But, does this mean that women who remain single, or are childless, have no purpose or right of ministry in the church? Absolutely not! And we will look further into that issue next time...
Editor's note: This is a guide and commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have; the Bible, and the Holy Spirit. Use and trust these over any words of man.
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