In 1 Timothy 2:8-15, Paul gives instruction to men and women in regards to a proper approach to worship. Men are expected to raise their hands in prayer while women should present themselves modestly and learn in silence. (Huizing, 2011, p.16) Paul undergirds his command to women in verse 12 stating, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather she is to remain quiet.” (Crossway Bibles, 2007) This is one passage used to strengthen the argument for dismissing women from leadership. Padgett (1987) points out that in this passage Paul is speaking of the women who were spreading the doctrine of false teachers rather than women in general (p. 24), which significantly weakens the argument against women in leadership with the use of this passage.
This is a good example where Robbins’ ideological texture analysis is useful. This texture looks primarily at people, writers and readers specifically, and their social, cultural, and individual location and perspective. (Robbins, 1996, p. 95) Male dominated society, particularly in leadership of the church, has historically used 1 Timothy 2 to secure their role in positions away from women, whether intentional or not. It is possible it was not out of ill intent, but out of presuppositions and cultural biases held that an exercise in ideological texture analysis might have alleviated.
Unfortunately, an internal argument about whether or not women should be in leadership has drawn the church’s focus away from more important things that are in alignment with the mandate and heart of Jesus. Particularly when passages such as this one are taken out of context in order to strengthen a position that seems out of step with the heart of God. Women should be in leadership, and they often have been, particularly when God is doing mighty things.
References
Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: study Bible: English standard version (ESV text ed.). Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles.
Huizing, R. L. (2011). What was Paul thinking? An Ideological Study of 1 Timothy 2. Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, Volume 3(Number 2), p.p. 91–98.
Padgett, A. (1987). Wealthy women at Ephesus : 1 Timothy 2:8-15 in social context. Interpretation, 41(1), 19–31.
Robbins, V. K. (1996). Exploring the texture of texts: a guide to socio-rhetorical interpretation. Valley Forge, Pa: Trinity Press International.
