DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 25 February 2025: The Prescribed Authority
Text: 1 Timothy 2:12-15 (KJV)
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
KEY VERSE: 1 Timothy 2:12
“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
Teaching is an indispensable tool for shaping the future of society. The Bible also places a high premium on the teaching ministry, alongside those of apostles, pastors, prophets, and evangelists. The primary aim of biblical teaching is to unveil the mystery of the word of God for the edification of the Church. Teaching makes the results of preaching more enduring. Hence, during His earthly ministry, Christ backed His preaching with teaching and told His disciples to do the same.
Today’s key verse states that women should not teach in the church. Many interpretations have been given to this Scripture. Some people argue that the restriction was meant to apply only to the Ephesian church. Others explain that it is in the context of the patriarchal nature of the Jewish society of the period. In practice, some churches allow women to teach while others do not. What then is the biblical pattern? When can a woman teach in the Church and how far can she go?
The appeal to the story of Adam and Eve shows that the restriction is universal. Apostle Paul anchors the restriction on the headship and leadership of man in the home and the family. From this, we can deduce that the teaching of God’s word in the church is an expression of authority within the church. Consequently, a woman who teaches in a congregation that includes men usurps the authority of the man and violates the biblical principle. This neither demeans women nor makes them inferior to men. It is a matter of divinely assigned roles. There are other occasions where women are encouraged to teach. For instance, mothers are expected to teach their children and young women (Proverbs 31:1-3; Titus 2:4). Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside and explained to him the word of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). This was a private setting. Miriam led the women in singing after God overthrew the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20,21).
The role of women in the church cannot be overemphasised. However, such roles are not to be played in violation of the divinely ordained principle of male headship of the church. This also teaches believers godly attitude to prescribed authority which we must honour and obey.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
In God’s economy, man and woman are equal in value and dignity but differ in biology and function.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Luke 22
Daily Manna 25 February 2025
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