Manfred Lemke came originally from Switzerland and he was a university lecturer in electronic communication for teachers when he became a Seventh-day Adventist. A few years later he intended to audit some Bible classes at Newbold College to learn more about the teachings of our church, but he was soon encouraged to satisfy the requirements for a Masters degree in theology. Today he is a pastor and director of communications in the Iceland Conference. He sent me this recent Sabbath sermon and gave me permission to abbreviate it and translate it into English.
Clearing unexploded bombs in Scripture
1 Tim 2:8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
Each year more than 5000 unexploded bombs are found in Germany. Most of them are uncovered in connection with new constructions. They are underneath schools, hospitals, by highways or in the open countryside. It is estimated that 100,000 bombs are still in the ground waiting to be uncovered.
In recent years teams of specialists take care of these bombs, but they do not always succeed. There are increased discoveries in metropolitan areas. Complications increase with age as the powder becomes unpredictable.
Germany is not the only explosive area in the world; there are many infected areas which cannot be entered without risking life or limbs. The Bible was written before such bombs were invented, and yet some of its contents is as explosive as the unexploded bombs in Berlin.
One of these areas deals with men and women. Here is the verse again in context:
1 Timothy 2:8-15 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
This text has often been used to explain why women are neither to be ministers nor bishops. How are we to understand this text? Haven‘t we already discovered its final meaning ?
Considering how often I see a new light when I read a Bible text again, this could also apply to First Timothy. The letters to Timothy and Titus are usually called the Pastoral Epistles. They are all addressed to individuals rather than churches. Timothy was then working in Ephesus. His father was Greek but his mother a Jew. Timothy was a timid person and weak, and yet a good teacher and minister.
In his letter Paul is helping his friend and coworker in his difficult task of being a leader. This is a private letter between two men of God written more than 1900 years ago. Timothy was the leader of a small church in a town and country where other gods were worshipped. Ephesus was known for its Artemis temple. And we will meet Artemis later in again.
Now I want to tell you of something quite different. Last time I attended a media session in our church I was seated at a table with an Egyptian, an Israeli, and a Syrian. These were all Adventists and one is a former fellow student at Newbold College. It was a supper I will never forget. All three neighbors were defaming each other constantly. With great gestures they would call each other „infidels“and much more with their eyes wide open and sweat pouring from their brows.
I sat there like a convict. I tried to participate with smiles and a few unsuccessful remarks, but it really seemed like a storm was passing by with nothing I could do. I left the table confused, yet my friend Salom seemed to sense it and followed me. He convinced me this was their natural way of conversation. They are the best of friends and this way of conversing is just a sign of their friendship.
To me this was a cultural chock. How are Paul, Timothy, and all of the other men talking to each other? Could it be that in his conversation with a personal friend about a strange behavior, he might express himself in a way that is quite different from what we know and are used to?
All of this is but some preliminary remarks. Now let’s get to the task at hand. Verse 8 is easy: 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
The word translated “disputing” is an interesting word. Dialogismos refers here to disputing and questioning if the other person is telling the truth. Disputing and anger was what I thought I experienced at the supper table. Here it was between friends. How would it be among enemies?
To me it appears like Paul is here asking men to leave off their male chauvinism, machismo, and quarrels and rather pray in humility.
Then Paul talks about women: He is continuing the same subject. He wants women to correct their old habits and rather have their minds set on what is important: 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Rather than having their minds set on outer appearance [margaritas] Paul speaks of good deeds. Back in those days there was no social security or insurance, so the wealthy people were responsible for those who were facing financial worries. Time and means provided to help the poor was called “good deeds”.
Paul is here reminding both men and women not to remain in their usual state of mind. Males should not amuse themselves with argumentation nor should females mess around with their ornaments. They should rather consider what is important for God.
Now we have the next sentence: 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
Notice it says a woman should learn, but she should not just learn to achieve power and control. Now let us consider Artemis again. She was a female who ruled over all and everyone among the pagans in Ephesus. This was what should not take place among the Christian women. They were to learn and get an education in humility.
I have considered every word in the Greek text. This gives me the understanding that Paul states the women are to be educated undisturbed and in submission to the Lord.
Now we reach verse 12: I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
Some find in this text a culmination in humiliation of women. Females are not even permitted to use nice clothing. They are nothing but the daughters of Eve with whom all the misfortunes of the world started. They’d rather be quiet and be satisfied with having children. Is this the purpose of this letter?
Could it be that God intended one half of humanity to only serve this purpose? That could never be true. Who were the first witnesses of the Resurrection? Women – they were the first „apostolos“.
What does Paul state in Romans 16:
Romans 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.
Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
Here we have deacons and apostles. And there is even more explosive powder in 1 Corinthians where we just quote half a sentence:
1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman who prays or prophesies. . .
So, what is the woman to do? Keep quiet? Then we have
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Where is the distinction? Is the woman second rate under the male? One of the strongest examples in found in Luke 10.
Martha was busy in the kitchen where people would say she was doing the work of a woman. She was sullen towards Mary. Why?
Luke 10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said
Along with the other disciples Mary from Bethany is sitting at the feet of the Master teacher. She is learning what she will be teaching others later. Her sister Martha was angry because Mary was breaking all the rules which governed what she was supposed to do as a woman. Rather than doing her duties in the kitchen she was performing the duties of an apostle.
What did Jesus say about this? Did he tell Mary to follow the rules in agreement which all the proper authorities? 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Now back to verse 12: I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
What is Paul dealing with? Considering the situation in Ephesus, where all the pagan priests were women, I‘d suggest the following translation:
„I do not think women should now display a new authority over men which is similar to the way men have been ruling over women.“ Paul wants to make sure Christians do not follow the pagans. Christianity was to be entirely different than the worship of Artemis. Just like Jesus teaches in Luke 10 women should have the opportunity to learn what they need, without displaying a superiority in the spirit of the Artemis worshipers. The purpose is much rather that both men and women have the possibilities to develop their own Spiritual gifts to learn and teach.
The final question is why Paul refers to Adam and Eve here? Who was it that had received a full explanation the purpose of the trees in the garden of Eden? That was Adam. Therefore Adam sinned fully knowing what he was doing. Eve was not as well informed. Paul is emphasizing the importance of women being better informed. He is using this as an example of the results of ignorance.
Why does Paul mention births? It is clear that he does not regard them to be a punishment. Birth is probably the most difficult, the most painful and most dangerous moment in the life of a woman. But it is not to replace a punishment. A new child is born adding to the creation of God in this world.
In the beginning I mentioned bombs that have not exploded. They are dangerous and unpredictable. There is still much in the Bible which is difficult to understand, but one thing is certain: God will never increase injustice among those who believe in Him.
Let‘s join hands and disconnect those bombs that prevent us from understanding the justice of God as revealed in His Word.
Amen
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Topic: Are we ignoring the Women's Ordination Issue for a Reason (Read 288873 times)
