When we read the Bible, we need to be aware of the culture within which it was written. At first glance, Paul’s views in this passage may seem to be misogynistic and sexist. But Paul was writing to Timothy (and the church) in Ephesus, a city dominated by the worship of a female god, Artemis, whose priests were all women. ‘Christianity is different, everyone is of equal worth,’ says Paul.

Both sexes are encouraged to break the stereotype – men should not be aggressive and argumentative, but should be devout pray-ers; women should not be slaves to fashion and image, but should be free to study and worship. 

For many, the use of the word ‘submission’ (v 11) is emotive – but the passage does not state to whom it is that women should be submissive. Is Paul encouraging women to be submissive and obedient to God and his Word? Tom Wright, for example, translates verse 11 as ‘They must study undisturbed, in full submission to God’ (Bible for Everyone).

Eve was deceived, but she had not heard directly from God about not eating the fruit, whereas Adam deliberately disobeyed God’s direct instruction to him (Genesis 2:17). Is Paul saying that women should study so that they will not teach error? 

Father, help us to read your Word today through your lens. Amen.

Kevin Giles refers to this portion of Scripture as ‘the most disputed text amongst evangelicals for the past forty years’.¹ Understandably, many have accused the biblical writers of being ‘patriarchal’ and these verses are an example. What can we take from these verses today that will help us to hear the voice of God? Context is key, and I’m mindful that I write as a white, evangelical, Western male. Furthermore, the commentaries that many of us will read on such texts are likely to have been written by authors ethnically like me! I am aware that my comments come from this perspective and that there are voices that have been stifled in the past, of women, minority ethnic groups, etc. We cannot read Scripture without our own situations and experiences influencing our understanding of its message.

From the men, Paul desires hands to be lifted in worship and not in shows of aggression. For the women, permission to study undisturbed must be given. I’ve encountered verses like verse 9 used as proof-texts for dress codes within church worship settings. I’m convinced this misses the point, as Paul is more concerned with the public flaunting of wealth than with styles of clothing. Reading the entire New Testament, it is clear that women have significant roles within the early church as apostles, deacons and prophets.² How are these verses to be taken at first glance? I believe Paul wanted those under Timothy’s charge to be freed from the cultural stereotypes of the time – let the men lift up hands in worship and let the women study without distraction. What would Paul encourage us to let go of, or pick up? 

‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’³

¹ Kevin Giles, What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women, Cascade Books, 2018, p118  ² Rom 16; 1 Cor 11  ³ Gal 3:28, TNIV