Church Authority and Roles

1 Timothy 2:11-15    
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

We cannot discount difficult passages like this by simply saying it was a cultural issue or that Paul did not respect women.  There is truth in God’s word which must be carefully considered in context and in practice.  Here women in the church are told to learn with submission, to fall under the authority of the men in the context of church.  They are not to have the authority to teach, but remain silent in the matter of teaching men.  It does not say women cannot speak or respond or that their opinions do not matter, but that the authority to teach or lead within a church is for the men God puts in those positions.  The reason given is that Eve was deceived and fell into the original sin, even though Adam then participated in her direction.  Therefore Eve’s descendants are not to have the authority to teach or lead men again as a result.  Women are told here to fill the role and privilege of being fruitful and multiplying as originally commanded to Adam and Eve, and the offspring of both (men and women) are together to keep living with self-control in faith, love, and holiness toward God.  These are roles, responsibilities, and reasons for authority and positions in the church.