What Did Paul Mean by ‘I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach’? | Don Carson and Tim Keller | TGC Q&A

A lot of people in the comments here already saying that Keller and Carson didn't answer the question. In case you didn't catch it, they both conclude that 'having authority' means taking a leadership role through preaching, that this command is not exclusive to that time/place because its linked to creation, and that the passage is plain in what it means - and that's that there is a restriction on women preaching and having authority.

In other words, the scriptures mean what it says. Brilliant

Honestly I’m a woman, mother and a wife to a man who is not in the same path as me living and breathe life through the word and gospel of Jesus Christ. My husband for example does not lead our family according to what the Lord ordained him to do as the head of the family. I, myself in the other hand have no choice because of my love for Christ and what he has done for a sinner like me, I study the gospel and teach my children his word and sometimes teach my husband. I know how blessed I am in my relationship with the Lord and I believe we are all his children ordained to be his ambassadors in this foreign world. If I have to stay back and listen and obey my husband as the one with authority according to this verse than my life and our family could have been totally occupied by Satan.

It really angers me when people take the most clear and plain scriptures and say: “What did the author “really” mean when he said these things?” It’s just so ridiculous, it’s not even funny.

God's word must not be changed to be politically correct. I'm a woman and know what work God has blessed me with and that is a helper for my husband and build our foundation . Pastors and ministers must stop appeasing hurt feelings.

This verse and a few more has opened my eyes to realize the depravity of our humanity. Because even as scripture-believing Christians, once or when a verse does not appeal to or with our sentiments and emotions, we have the tendency to create a narrative that interprets it to suit our sentiments and emotions. It is indeed a bruise in the ego and emotions to say "woman cannot teach", but it is what it is, GOD can NOT be questioned about HIS order of and in creation, in heaven or here on earth, but our emotions and sentiments as humans have a way of leading us into a path of rebellion, when we don't like what we are hearing. We turn into Social Justice warriors and philosophers in the face of a very clear, precise and unambiguous scriptural order. May GOD give us a heart of humility and obedience. Amen.

I agree with your response and I am a woman. GOD'S way is THE WAY

What is amazing is that this clear and simple scripture needs explanation. Mankind is so full of ourselves as we say we just don’t understand what it can mean. It means what it says and it says what it means. We are under God and His authority.

Thank you for what I already believed. So men of God, please fulfill our role as men, so our wives don’t have to compensate for where we lack!

The way that I have heard this theme of men and women is equal in the eyes of God, equally loved and equally important to the Kingdom but they have different roles.

I always think it's amusing when someone says "what did they really say". Seems a very clear statement by Paul

A teacher who studied the Greek explained: Women were not permitted to boss others around, which was the same for men. The Greek word ‘authentein‘ means lord over someone. The men were use to learning from scripture and each other but now the women were invited to learn! - see the previous verse - It was absolutely revolutionary what Paul was saying - so he clarifies, learn in silence, not stopping the meetings or shouting out questions. This was basic etiquette of learning which women had not been permitted to do before Jesus came and struck down that barrier.

I don’t understand. Deborah was a prophetess and a teacher/leader. Am I wrong?

My worry is in cases where men have deliberately ignored church services and leadership roles in Church. Be it that the one who is available is Very controversial... But a woman is ready , qualified, knowledeable with all the Biblical concepts, and very passionate and zealous about Naturing the People of God, what to do ? Should the gospel stop, just coz only women are available ???

Moderns: What did Paul mean by "I do not permit a woman to teach?" Paul: I do not permit a woman to teach.

Growing up I had some great Sunday school teachers and teachers at school who were female. When Jesus rose from the tomb who did he tell to go spread the word he rose . The Bible says a female should be submissive. Does anyone really know a female who is truly submissive? Everyone I know is very quick to give their opinions and say how things should be done and I don't see anything wrong with that. The choir director at our church happens to be female and if it wasn't for her we wouldn't hear some great gospel hymns on Sunday morning. Times have changed and people don't have problems with that. I don't have any problems with it. When the church has dinner it's the ladies who make the meals. If it wasn't for the ladies most churches would have a very hard time.

Exactly what he said!!

Hey, Thank you guys for being "so clear", and stating it plainly and factually, "according to scripture". Which would actually look and sound something like this, Paul stated, I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, Why?........ Because "God said so" Thank you again

I struggle so hard with this teaching!! Father died when I was 2 1/2- I grew up having to do things that usually males do: Mow, paint, shovel snow, etc. Life was hard. when I became born again over 40 yrs ago and I read Paul’s admonition to Timothy: “study to show your self approved unto God, a workman that rightly divide the the world of truth.” I was young like Timothy and thought, St Paul’s words were for me too! I saw it as an “age” thing and not a “gender” issue.Studying Scripture has been my life’s passion. However, the problem is that I know more about early church history, the Bible, etc. than do most men who lead in the church. I do not have any desire to teach, lead, or do anything in church. But, the question is, how much of these restrictions are cultural in basis only? the Bible says men are not to wear their hair down to their waist, but we have some in church that do and pastor would not dare say anything to them about it. what about women who go to work outside the home? Back in Jesus day, women where supposed to have a male accompany them around town, weren’t they? Please do not think I say these things because I want to be a women pastor because I do not. I do believe that pastors should be male because they must be ready to lay their lives down for the sheep. I think men are more suitable in this regard. But, I do not see why women cannot be an elder, or do readings! Not all women work well with children and I am tired of being relegated to the the kitchen and nursery. Please pray for me - I am tired of this struggle…..

This has come up in a Bible study at my church. Paul also told Timothy in the exact same letter that the women are to teach the younger women and the men to teach the younger men. People take this completely out of context.