Mellissa Scott

1Ti 2:12-15 KJVR 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.

With the basic surface understanding of Paul's words, we'd also form a doctrine that women are saved by bearing children, which we know is not the Gospel. I think when we come across confusing passages like this in Paul's letters we do good to remember what Peter said.

2Pe 3:15-16 KJVR And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

One last thing to notice in what Paul said about women preaching. He said, "I suffer not..." He makes this statement as a personal opinion statement, and makes this obvious for the reader. He does not say, "The Lord says there shall be no women preaching ever in the Body of Christ." In his letters, he at times speaks for the Lord in authority as an Apostle passing on what the Lord told him to, and at other times he speaks of his own opinions and also of church customs and traditions at that time.

The only commandments that are authoritative for every believer in every generation to practice are those from the Lord. Customs, opinions, and traditions are not authoritative. However, if a church or group of churches want to have a tradition and customer of no women preaching/teaching, let them have it there way. And likewise if other groups of Christians want to let women with the gift preach and teach.

In the end, the other posters are correct that in the new covenant, among those born of the Spirit, there is no gender in the Kingdom. Paul knew this but had reasons for his statements about women preaching. He doesn't say what those reasons are in a way I can clearly understand at this time. To me, what difference does it make that Eve was tempted and deceived first, and brought Adam in to it. That goes against Paul's doctrine that we are new creatures in Christ, neither male nor female, neither Jew nor Greek.

Paul's own letters at times seem to contradict one another. In one place it seems he's against the law and at other times supporting it. At times it seems he's in support of women ministers (he had women apostles and prophets traveling with him in his ministry, which he mentions by name), and in statements seems to contradict that and oppose women in public ministry.

Back to what Peter said. Be cautious about making doctrine on Paul's letters alone, as some things are hard to understand in his letters.