Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 28:1 (Sep 2019)
Article: A Proposed Reading Of 1 Timothy 2:11–15, And How This Interpretation Speaks To Issues Of Gender Relationships And Female Leadership
Author: Jillian Carole Gorven

Conspectus 28:1 (September 2019) p. 225

A Proposed Reading Of 1 Timothy 2:11–15, And How This Interpretation Speaks To Issues Of Gender Relationships And Female Leadership

Jillian Carole Gorven

Keywords

Creation order gender distinctiveness, relative gender behaviour and roles, feminine role in childbearing, leadership in the household of God, transformed hearts seeking God’s purposes in creation

About The Author1

Jillian Carole Gorven

BTh Hons, SATS; B.Soc.Sc, UND; Psych. Hons, Wits, Jillian has worked at SATS since February 2016. Currently she facilitates undergraduate courses. She is an associate member of the New Testament Society of Southern Africa.

Abstract

This paper proposes a reading of 1 Timothy 2:11–15 which holds to traditional principles of gender distinctiveness, while suggesting nuances of insight and application relevant to issues of female leadership: Women should be free to learn about God. They should do so with a quiet and submissive spirit. Women shouldn’t teach or have authority over men where this is exercised in a manner that is contrary to God’s design for men and women’s relationships and roles, as seen in creation and the Fall. Finally, women who persevere in honouring the God-ordained feminine role of bearing and nurturing children with godliness, will be working out their salvation as they partner with God to redeem the consequences of the Fall. The place of gender in creation and the Fall reveals distinctions in the roles given to Adam and Eve. Paul exhorts women to honour these distinctions, not in terms of absolute behavioural restrictions, but rather with regard to principles of relative gender identity. The issue of how we apply Paul’s broad principles about gender to the complexities of 21st century society is addressed by Paul’s reference to the church as God’s household and his teaching in chapter five of the same letter.

This article: https://www.sats.edu.za/gorven-proposed-reading-of-timothy-2

Conspectus 28:1 (September 2019) p. 226

Here Paul teaches that godly behaviour in God’s household or family, should honour the same relative distinctions of age and gender as played out in human families, made up of fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. This is shown to be significant for the issue of female leadership. As fathers in human families are the most appropriate person to carry ultimate responsibility for family decisions and discipline, so it is fathers/mature men in God’s family who are most appropriate to fill eldership roles. As this is a heart principle however, where godly me...