The Reason Why Women Can Preach and Teach

I've had numerous discussions with people, mostly men, who argue that women are not allowed to preach and teach in churches. However, after conducting extensive research and studying the scriptures, as well as examining the historical context of the city of Ephesus during that time, it's evident that accurate translation is crucial for understanding the true biblical doctrine.

The bible verses used against women preaching are as follows:

1 Timothy 2:11-15 ESV

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. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

In Genesis, Adam and Eve were both deceived and sinned, although Eve took the first bite. The part about exercising authority over a man simply meant that a woman shouldn't take control over a man. Also, when it mentions being saved through childbearing, it means that by keeping their faith in God, women will be safe. During that time, women were making sacrifices to Artemis for a safe birth or to conceive..

1 Corinthians 14:34 ESV

The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

I want to bring attention to this last part, "as the law says." I looked back through the Old Testament. There are several laws on how women should be and cleansing rituals for after menstruation and childbirth but nothing on not teaching or preaching. Here are some of those requirements :

Women in ancient times were often economically dependent on men and rarely owned property, except if they inherited land from a father without sons. In terms of marriage, women could not legally marry without the consent of a male authority. Marriage was considered a sacred covenant rather than just a financial arrangement. Women were also required to wear veils when they went out in public to prevent men from looking at them.

According to the Mosaic Law, a woman was considered unclean for seven days during menstruation, and anyone who touched her was also unclean until evening. Additionally, women were required to follow negative commandments but were exempt from most positive time-bound commandments. They were also exempt from positive non-time-bound commandments, such as the obligation to procreate.

Some laws in the Hebrew Bible promoted violence against women, like the death penalty for female sorcerers and the death of a woman if she was raped by a man in a town. Synagogues had architectural guidelines for women's sections, based on the idea of establishing a separate space for women to prevent men from looking at them.

When the first church in Ephesus was established, the region was a bustling, cosmopolitan center of trade and travel. It was situated on the Aegean Sea, making it a major port city with a diverse population and a thriving economy. Ephesus was considered one of the most important Greek cities in the Mediterranean. It was renowned for its Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and its vibrant public life with many marble-lined streets, public baths, and a large theater.

During the early church in Ephesus, the region had several key characteristics:

- Major port city: Ephesus was a significant hub for maritime trade in Asia Minor, with a large volume of ships coming and going.

- Cultural diversity: Due to its trade importance, Ephesus had a diverse population with people from various regions and cultures.

- Greek influence: As a prominent Greek city, Ephesus displayed strong Hellenistic architecture and customs.

- Religious center: The Temple of Artemis was a major pilgrimage site, attracting large numbers of worshippers. They were also huge worshippers of the goddess Diana.

- Roman rule: During the time of the early church, Ephesus was part of the Roman Empire.

The women were starting to evangelize and mix Jesus's teachings and Artemis worship. Artemis was the goddess who was supposed to bring safe labor to women in childbirth.

So in Paul's letter to Timothy, He is telling him how important it is to not let false doctrine into the church. This is what the majority of the 1 Timothy is about. In other writings such as The Didache which was the written teachings of the 12 disciples, Women being prohibited in such ways was not mentioned at all. The requirements for women were to love purely, be nurturing, remain in the faith given to them, tenderly love their husbands in all truth, love all others as a sibling love, and raise their children with the fear of God. I can see over the years how some translations were taken advantage by a few men in power.

Now let's take a look at the church in Corinth. This place wasn't too different at the time.

When the first church in Corinth was established, the region was a huge, busy city situated on a narrow isthmus. It was a major commercial hub with heavy trade traffic by land and sea. However, Corinth was also notorious for its rampant immorality and loose morals due to a large population of merchants and diverse cultures, reflecting the city's reputation for excessive lifestyle and widespread prostitution.

Key points about Corinth during this time were as follows:

- Strategic location: Situated on the isthmus connecting the Aegean and Ionian Seas, providing easy access to trade routes.

- Commercial prosperity: A major center for trade, with a diverse population of merchants from across the Mediterranean.

- Immorality: Known for its widespread sexual immorality and pagan practices.

- Cultural mix: A melting pot of cultures with Greeks, Jews, Italians, and others residing in the city.

- Social complexity: A wide range of social classes and economic standings within the population.

So. you can see how things were during the setup of the first churches. You had to be Holy and pure preaching the truth of Jesus and obeying God's commands as we still are to this day. I want to go to Philippians.

Philippians 4:3 ESV

Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

"Notice that it says, 'Help these women who have labored side by side with me in the Gospel.' Women were also apostles, prophets, and judges. Paul, the same one who wrote the letter to Timothy, states that he works side by side with women. As you can see this would contradict himself in 1 Timothy. Paul was a disciple, and then an apostle who taught many others, including Clement, who was a student of Paul. The writings by Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp were just a few. There aren't any mentions of women not teaching either."

1 Peter 3:1-7 ESV

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands

This is how women were required to be and act.

Now, let's delve into the translations.

The Greek word for "submissiveness" is hypotagē. The Greek word for "submit" is hupotassō, which was originally used in the military to describe when troops would line up in formation under their commander. In the New Testament, hupotassō has a broader range of uses:

Actively, this means "to compel someone to submit to authority".

In casual or passive voice: It describes a voluntary choice to submit to someone with a higher power or authority. Paul was saying women should willingly want to learn, understand, and pay attention to the speaker.

Hebrew is another language that the gospels were first written in. we have this definition:

The Hebrew word "shama" (שׁמע) is found in the Bible and means "to hear." It can also be used to mean "to listen," "to obey," or "to understand." In the Bible, "shama" is most famously used in the imperative form in Deuteronomy 6:4, known as the "Shema." The verse reads, "Hear (שׁמע), O Israel: The LORD is our God, the Lord alone."

The Shema is a central affirmation of Judaism, expressing belief in the oneness of God. It is traditionally recited twice a day, during the morning and evening services. The word "shema" in the opening line, "Hear, O Israel," means to allow the words to sink in, provide understanding, and generate a response. Therefore, the context in which people use to read 1 Timothy is not correct.

In conclusion, it is important to do thorough research and not accept everything at face value. Understanding the deeper meanings of the Bible, considering the context and culture, and being able to apply its teachings to modern life is crucial.