A Few Thoughts About Women in 1 Timothy 2

The Scripture:

1 Timothy 2:8-15 WEL Therefore, I want men to pray wherever they are, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubt. 9 Likewise, that women dress themselves in modest clothes, inclined to avoid notice, and be in self-control, not with embroidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothes, 10 But with what is proper for women professing godliness along with good works. 11 Let a women learn quietly in humble gentleness. 12 Now, I do not allow a woman to teach or domineer a man but to be quiet, 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, was in transgression. 15 Nevertheless, she will be saved through the childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with self-control.

Notes:

B1 Paul left Timothy with the congregation in Ephesus due to some problems they were experiencing. 1 Timothy 1:3-4 WEL As I encouraged you to remain in Ephesus, when I was going to Macedonia, so that you would tell certain [individuals] not to teach any other doctrine, 4 Or pay attention to fables and endless genealogies, which leads to controversy rather than godly growth in faith.

C1 Certain people

D1 Were teaching wrong doctrine

D2 Paying attention to fables

D3 Paying attention to genealogies

C2 Results

D1 The congregation was being taught error

D2 The congregation was in controversies

D3 The congregation was not experiencing “...godly growth in faith.”

B2 Background

C1 Paul was in Ephesus 2 times, once for a few months and later for about 2 years about 54 AD. (Acts 19:8,10; 20:31)

C2 Paul wrote 1 Timothy about 63 AD.

C3 The people of Ephesus

D1 Were dedicated to Diana (Artemis, etc.)

D2 A good number of the citizens believed the Gospel.

D3 Were by tradition a city founded by the Amazons (warrior women, domineering, brutal, aggressive, etc.)

D4 It is believed that women in Ephesian society, due to the influence of Artemis, had powerful positions, high rank as priestesses, and influence regardless of who their husbands were. (Source)

D5 The sisters in the congregation evidently were domineering, controlling, and forceful in their teaching, speaking, actions, etc. They were rebuked for this.

C3 The Lord Jesus gave a message to the Ephesian congregation in Revelation 2:1-7. There was no rebuke like Paul instructed Timothy to give, so the work of Timothy, with God’s grace, helped the Ephesian church for a number of decades at least.

B3 Our passage

C1 The brothers and sisters of the congregation had some problems.

D1 The men were not praying

E1 1 Timothy 2:8 WEL Therefore, I want men to pray wherever they are, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubt.

E2 Paul wanted Timothy to instruct the men start praying.

D2 The women were not modest (attitudes, actions, dress, etc.)

E1 1 Timothy 2:9-11 WEL Likewise, that women dress themselves in modest clothes, inclined to avoid notice, and be in self-control, not with embroidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly clothes, 10 But with what is proper for women professing godliness along with good works. 11 Let a women learn quietly in humble gentleness.

E2 Paul wanted Timothy to instruct the women to

F1 Act modestly in attitudes, actions, dress, etc.

F2 Cease from seeking recognition

F3 Start doing good works (as God defines it)

F4 Start to listen rather than domineering

C2 Paul gives some remarks for the brothers and sisters in the congregation

D1 The sisters

E1 1 Timothy 2:12 WEL Now, I do not allow a woman to teach or domineer a man but to be quiet

E2 Are not to be domineering and teaching in such a manner that the men have little or no say, cannot question their teaching, must be in compliance to them. Much like some male dominated congregations today where nothing is to be questioned. The elders are to be obeyed. The people, especially the sisters, are expected to sit in the pew, give their money, feign respect (my sarcasm), and shut-up.

E3 This verse does not mean that the sisters do not have the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or any ministry in the church.

E4 These sisters must learn meekness instead of domineering, so not to be arrogant. That is why they must learn to be quiet. These domineering women needed to do the opposite to learn God’s ways.

D2 All

E1 1 Timothy 2:13-14 WEL For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, was in transgression.

E2 The sisters must have had an evil attitude of believing they are right, correct, to be believed, etc. because of culture and being raised such.

E3 Sisters can be deceived. These sisters must have had an attitude that they did not think they were not deceived and perhaps could not be deceived..

E4 We learn that Adam had the greatest sin.

F1 He deliberately, willfully, cravenly wanted to commit this sin.

F2 Adam knew what he was doing.

F3 Eve was deceived.

F4 Adam, as many understand it, being present did not stop Eve from eating.

F5 When exposed to sin

G1 Eve told the truth and confessed her sin (Genesis 3:16).

H1 Her punishment was pain in child birth.

H2 Her promise was of the coming Messiah through her.

G2 Adam covered up his sin, practiced blame shifting, and accused God and Eve as the source of his sinning. Because of his sin:

H1 Romans 5:12 NET So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned

H2 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NET For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

H3 Adam had no promise given him.

D3 1 Timothy 2:15 WEL Nevertheless, she will be saved through the childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with self-control.

E1 She refers to Eve in the context.

E2 She will be saved because she is the distant ancestor of Messiah. The Messiah, Jesus, was promised to come through a woman. This hints at the virgin birth.

E3 These sisters in Ephesus would be saved if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with self-control.

E4 If they continue to be domineering, they will suffer loss at judgment.

B4 Our Christian sisters have

C1 The Holy Spirit as all believers do

C2 Spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit

C3 Gifts that are to be used in the congregation

C4 Some notable examples are Philip's daughters, Phoebe, a deaconess, and the Virgin Mary.

B5 This passage has nothing to do with women preachers or no women preachers.

1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:1-13

B1 God’s Undershepherds, His leaders

C1 Jesus is Supreme in the church: Ephesians 1:22-23 WEL He has put everything under his feet and given him to be the head of everything in the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything of everything.

C2 Jesus is supreme teacher and leader: Matthew 23:8-12 WEL But you are not to be addressed as Rabbi, because one is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brothers. 9 "Do not address anyone as your "Father" on this earth, because one is your Father, who is in heaven. 10 "Also do not be addressed as "Teachers", because one is your Teacher, the Messiah. 11 "Instead he who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 "And whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, but he who will be humble will be exalted.

C3 Jesus’s rules/commands are supreme: John 14:15 WEL If you love me, obey my commandments.

C4 Jesus appoints the offices: Ephesians 4:11-12 WEL He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

C5 Jesus has plurality of elders in every church:

D1 Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D2 Acts 20:17 WEL At Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

B2 Pastors, Deacons, and Deaconesses

C1 Qualifications

D1 A true believer (this is different than just a believer, for some might be able to say or teach the correct doctrine but their life is not matching the New Testament)

D2 The list is further things beyond salvation. I count 18 in the list. Another person may count differently.

E1 First grouping is character traits. These are desire, blameless, vigilant, self-controlled, good behavior, not quarrelsome, not greedy, gentle, not contentious, not covetous

E2 Second is marital status. He is to be a one woman man. He does not HAVE to be married, though.

E3 Third is  abilities. He is to be hospitable, able to teach, and a good manager at home.

E4 Fourth is addictions. He is not to be addicted to wine. He is also not to be addicted to porn, gambling, drugs, sports, work, etc. It is the addiction that is evil.

E5 Fifth is length of time he has been a Christian.

E6 Sixth is standing in society. He has to have a good reputation in society, with Christians, non-Christians, government, education, etc.

D3 Even though many might have these qualifications, if the calling of God is present, the person will show pastor like desire and actions.

C2 Responsibilities

D1 Preach the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 1:17 WEL For Christ didn't send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, not with wisdom in words lest the cross of Christ be ineffective.

D2 Read, exhort, and teach. The teaching would be teaching the Bible, doctrine, and how to live Christian life : 1 Timothy 4:13 WEL Until I come apply yourself to reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to teaching.

D3 Teach the doctrines of the faith: 1 Timothy 4:6 WEL If you remind the brethren of these things you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and good teaching to which you have carefully followed.

D4 Assist in the congregation’s direction in Christian life and outreach: 1 Peter 5:2 WEL Feed the flock of God, which is among you. Take the oversight voluntarily, not by being forced, not for money's sake but with a willing heart.

D5 Be examples. We have to live the same life we teach others to do: 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D6 Practice shepherd leadership. This is seen in the example and life of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many who say they provide this, but by their life, words, and actions are controlling. The controlling pastor is most likely a false convert to Christianity (Read 3 John about Diotrephes). 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God's heritage, but be examples to the flock.

D7 Teach other qualified men: Acts 14:23 WEL After they had chosen elders in every church and after praying with fasting, they committed them to the Lord on whom they had believed.

D8 They need to use discernment: 2 John 1:10 WEL If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house, nor greet him.

C3 The qualifications for deacons and deaconesses are similar.

D1 Character traits are respectable, not deceitful, not addicted to substances, and not greedy for money.

D2 Spiritual traits are known and fully believe the doctrines of the Christian faith in such a way to be consistent in their words and lifestyle.

D3 Also, they need to be tested (examined, evaluated) as to their spiritual traits.

D4 A blessing from God for faithful service is boldness (to live and preach the Gospel) and respect from others (reputation).

D5 The example is Stephen in Acts 6-7.

1 Timothy 3:14-16

B3 Reasons for church conduct

C1 We learn from this that our fellow Christians are family members with us. We are together as family in God’s family.

C2 We are not together for a similar purpose, reason, or goal, but we are together as a family.

C3 The church is to be the light in this world in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We are to honor God by obeying His rules in the New Testament.

C4 Our religion is a mystery to the unsaved.

C5 The Lord Jesus was revealed in the flesh. He is the God/man. Many translations foul this Scripture. Wilbur Pickering PhD states in his Bible notes: Instead of 'God', 1% of the Greek manuscripts read 'who', and most modern versions follow this 1%. But 'who' is nonsensical (in the context), so most of them take evasive action: NEB and NASB have "he who"; Phillips has "the one"; NRSV, Jerusalem, TEV and NIV render "he". Berkley actually has "who"! In the Greek Text the relative pronoun has no antecedent, so it is a grammatical 'impossibility', besides being a stupidity—what is so mysterious about someone being manifested in flesh? All human beings have bodies. The pronoun can be accounted for as an easy transcriptional error, a simple copying mistake, so why not stay with the 98.5%? "God was manifested in flesh"—now there you have a mystery!

B4 Applications

C1 There are to be pastors, deacons, and deaconesses.

C2 There are requirements in order to be one. Being a great business person or leader in society counts for nothing in God’s church.

C3 We must be consistent in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C4 We are a family. We are to love and live as a family, The house we live in is God’s house. This is not referring to communal living.

Ever Wonder About Diotrephes?

 3 John 1:9-11 WEB  I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.  10  Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly.  11  Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God.

Diotrephes was the pastor/elder/teacher of this church.

Diotrephes had a controlling personality.

Diotrephes lies.

Diotrephes is inhospitable.

Diotrephes stops others from being inhospitable.

Diotrephes excommunicates true believers.

Diotrephes is evil.

Diotrephes has not seen God.

The devil works hard to get his people into positions of authority in churches. The main personality trait of this type of preacher(?) is controlling. If a pastor demands unquestioned loyalty, then you NEED, MUST leave. This type of pastor(?) is a fake and abusive.

Brandon Smith in his article, Global Elitists are not Human, discusses these points.

Some points on sociopaths and psychopaths by Brandon Smith

1. Narcissistic sociopaths believe themselves to be entitled to special treatment and see themselves as above the laws and niceties of normal society.

2. Narcissistic sociopaths and psychopaths are stricken with visions of assumed greatness.

a) They don’t care about proving their greatness.

b) They only care that people believe that they are special, that they are anointed.

3. They want people to hand them adoration and control automatically. But if they don’t get what they want as a matter of course, they will use any means at their disposal.

4. They are also devoid of empathy and conscience.

5. They want is for the lowly masses to voluntarily accept their greatness as absolute, as an obvious and undeniable fact of life. What they want is reverence and devotion. As mentioned earlier, they want to be treated as gods by the people around them.

6. An important part of archetypal or inborn knowledge and traits is the notion of good and evil; we are born understanding that certain behaviors are constructive while others are destructive and abhorrent. Unfortunately, not all people are born with conscience. In some people, the difference between good and evil or constructive and destructive behavior is blurry or non-existent.

7. High level narcissists and sociopaths are physically human of course, but if we were to peer in at a visual representation of their psyche, we would find a barren wasteland — a place where ghouls lurk. They do not dream as normal people dream. They do not feel joy in the manner normal people do. They do not feel fulfillment in the things that commonly lift up the rest of us. They are incapable of love for others. They are incapable of regret beyond their own failures to get what they want. They do not see other people as individuals, they see them as tools to be exploited.

8. Being sociopathic though does not mean that they are ignorant of what makes the rest of us function. On the contrary, sociopaths are very good at identifying the personal desires and drives of others, and mimicking people in a way that makes them seem “human.” They are parasites by nature,and thus they have to be able to get close to their host victims if they are to survive.

Another article by Brandon Smith, How People Become Easily Controlled by Tyrants, is also a good read.

Searching under the topics “abusive behavior,” “narcissist,” “traits of a sociopath,” “what is a controlling pastor personality.” You will get many hits.

I found this on Facebook:

Signs of a Sociopath

1. Superficial charm

2. Untruthful and manipulative

3. Egocentric

4. Devoid of remorse or empathy

5. Seeks to dominate and win at all costs

6. Expert story teller

7. Presents himself heroically with high morals and philosophy

8. Incites emotional chaos

9. Feigns love to get what they want

10. Never apologizes

If your pastor is being described, leave, and pray that he leaves. He is destroying people’s souls.

Some other verses about these evil pastors:

1. John 12:43 (WEB) for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.

2. Luke 20:46 (WEB) “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts;

3. Jude 1:16 (WEB) These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.

4. 1 Kings 1:5 (WEB) Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.” Then he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

5. 2 Peter 2:13 (WEB) receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you.

6. 1 Peter 5:2-3 GW Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don't do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don't do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve. 3  Don't be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow. [Bold is my emphasis].

a) On this passage, Vincent’s Word Studies, has this note: As lording it (κατακυριεύοντες) See Mat 20:25; Act 19:16. Other words are used for the exercise of legitimate authority in the church: προΐ́σταμαι, to be over (1Th 5:12; 1Ti 5:17); ποιμαίνω, as 1Pe 5:2, tend. But this carries the idea of high-handed rule.

b) Likewise, the Cambridge Bible Commentary states:  The word for “lording” implies an authority exercised both wrongfully and oppressively. Ambition, the love of power for the sake of power, is, from the Apostle’s standpoint, as great a hindrance to true pastoral work as avarice.

God does judge sin and sinning pastors (Diotrephes pastors).

1. Psalm 145:20 NLT - The LORD protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.

2. Proverbs 10:29 NLT - The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.

3. Jude 1:12-13 WEB  These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;  13  wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.

Some links that give more points and explain the points differently:

The Controlling, Narcissist Leader/Pastor

6 MASSIVE WARNING SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE

1. He surrounds himself with “yes” people

2. Critics are isolated

3. Loyalty is prized over diversity

4. Refusing accountability

5. Leading by force of personality

6. Refusing to believe anything is wrong

Fourteen Symptoms of Toxic Church Leaders

Signs in a Congregation That a Leader

Has Covert Narcissistic Personality

Disorder

Hundreds of sex abuse allegations found in fundamental Baptist churches across U.S. 

The Wartburg Watch is one of a number of websites exposing abusive pastors.