1 Timothy 2:11-15
11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But women[a] will be saved[b] through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Well, there are more questions that I have coming out of this passage (and there will be more as we go). The first question deals with the idea of woman learning in "quietness". Does this mean physically quiet, or does it mean a spirit of "quietness" as opposed to rebellion etc. Certainly there is a sense where we all need to be "quiet" when it comes to dealing with those in authority over us. One of the highest virtues in scripture for everyone is submission to those in authority (check 1 Peter). However, the contrast within verse 12 in terms of "teaching" may indicate something more than simply not having a contentious spirit. Having said that, as I read, it has been brought to my attention (sounds British doesn't it?) that in those days the idea of learning was directly associated with the idea of one day teaching. That may or may not be the case here, however, even if it is the case, this passage may still be giving guidelines within which the teaching can take place. Other important questions will be, what does Paul mean by "permit", "authority over a man", and "she must be silent". The journey carries on...By the way Jer, I am doing some research into the idea that this seems to be an issue only for "Western Churches". Fair question.
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