What does the Bible mean about the role of women?

I have only recently converted, and I’m unsure on what my role as a woman is. I really want to be a good Christian, and as I am now 18, I think I want to take a more active part in my faith. As a woman, am I allowed to teach and spread the faith? It appears that in 1 Timothy 2:12 this is condemned - “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet”. If I am not permitted to teach, what should I do to ensure I am an obedient believer of God? Is marriage and having a family the best option? Any replies would be greatly appreciated- I’m new to this

If women are not supposed to preach how come Jesus let the Samaritan woman tell everyone in her village about him?
And why did he allow Mary to witness his resurrection to the other disciples? This is a role model for women preachers
Ephesians does reflect what one church believed yes

Thank you for your query - which I gladly answer. To settle the meaning of the text, I include four different literla translations. They are the King James, Darby, Young's Literal and the Amplified:
(KJV) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

(Darby) And the things thou hast heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, such as shall be competent to instruct others also.

(YLT) and the things that thou didst hear from me through many witnesses, these things be committing to stedfast men, who shall be sufficient also others to teach;

(AMP) And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also.

You are correct about the word for "men", but this is not the decisive qualification. The decisive qualification is the word "hikanos" rendered variously as "able", "competent", "sufficient" and/or "qualified". This makes the answer easy. Who is qualified for this job?

1. "Mankind" ( for it is not given to demons or angels to teach)
2. A believer ("faithful men" - the verse above)
3. A believer who is baptized (Act.2:38)
4. A believer who has the natural ability to teach (Matt.25:15)
5. A believer who has been given the "talent" by the Lord according to his natural ability (Matt.25:14-15)
6. A believer who has been trained by the Lord (Paul's training, after Gamaliel, took 14 years - Gal.2:1-2)
7. A believer who is a male (1st Timothy 2.12)

I hope this helps brother.

1st Timothy 2:12 is written in plain language. No interpretation is needed, nor have I given any. It says what it says. What I did in my postings was to give the background why a woman may not teach nor usurp authority.

I've debated whether to re-enter this thread. Your post makes the decision easy.

Your first six points were good, but you have avoided the obvious inclusion of females in your first point. Also, because 1 Tim 2:12 is controversial, using it as an argument against women preaching is simply circular reasoning.

Only if you ignore (or are blissfully unaware of) the issues in Greek could you make such an assertion. "Authentein" is probably the most difficult word in the NT to translate. Its only appearance in Scripture is in that verse, and in contemporary Greek literature, it has something like 50 different meanings.

Your argument is devious. We discuss TEACHING, not PREACHING. "Preaching" (kairooso" - Gk.) means to "herald" something. We discuss "didasko" - to learn.

Without exception the various literal translators are one. They all translate 1st Timothy 2:12 the same. There is no difficulty in the idea proposed by the Holy Spirit (not me).

It always amazes me how Christians spend inordinate energy to make a plain statement mean something else because it offends their sensibilities. One of the most cited reasons is that the rest of us, including the best translators, don't know some Greek nuance. Now, here is my challenge. Translate 1st Timothy 2:12 correctly for us all, including the various scholars, and show us why Greek authorities through centuries have all been wrong.

If you can't do this, just bow to God's Word.

For all of us, entering into life is entering the maternal environment. I believe God works within the order He established in the beginning.😊

1 Timothy 2:12 is one sentence in one letter to one person. For people to take that and make it into a universal doctrine shows me that they already have the doctrine created in their own minds and look for a single sentence in the entire Bible to justify it.

It's like saying that Jesus was a manic depressive because there is a single verse that says that He wept. (John 11:35)

Many women did great things throughout the Bible, including leading the nation of Israel as a prophet and judge (Deborah).

Misogyny has no place in Christianity.

Contrary to your belief that there is only "one sentence" on this matter, I will presently list nearly ten additional ones. I would say that you accuse the Holy Spirit of "misogyny" - a brave thing to do if the scriptures listed below have been established by the Living God.

To accuse your opponents of building on a "single sentence" is strange. What of;
Genesis 3.16, "... the man shall rule the woman"

1st Corinthians 11:3, "... the man is head of the woman"

Ephesians 5:23, "... the man is head over the woman"

Ephesians 5:22, "wives, submit yourself to your husbands"

1st Cor.11:8-9, "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man."

1st Timothy 2:11, "... let the woman learn ... in all subjection"

1st Peter.3:1, "... wives, be in subjection to your own husbands"
1st Peter 3:5, " ... the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands"
1st Peter 3:6, "Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, ... ."

Added to this, in the discussion on divorce, scripture upholds the headship of the man. A man "puts his wife away", but a woman must "leave her husband" (1st Cor.7:10-12).

Added to this, the grand type is of Adam and Eve displaying Christ and the Church. Whenever does the Church reign over Christ?

But I would like to end with this. Women who take leadership in the Church usually do so BECAUSE the men failed to take their position.

Just as Adam bore the responsibility for the fall, so MEN bear the responsibility of God's government being USURPED by women.

In my years as a Christian I have seen much, including women taking the lead. I have never seen an Assembly, which has a woman as leader and/or teacher, prosper. I do not say that men have done much better, but should we add folly to slothfulness? If my points above are correct, is it likely that a woman who usurps authority has God's blessing?

Contrary to your belief that there is only "one sentence" on this matter, I will presently list nearly ten additional ones. I would say that you accuse the Holy Spirit of "misogyny" - a brave thing to do if the scriptures listed below have been established by the Living God. Instead of emotion, why not give us the benefit of a sound exegesis on 1st Timothy 2:12. I'm open to learn what is said by the Holy Spirit. I've asked a few others who have said that 1st Timothy 2:12 does not mean what it says, for the same. But alas, no-one who denies that it means what it says wants to share the true meaning of 1st Timothy 2:12.

To accuse your opponents of building on a "single sentence" is strange. What of;

• Genesis 3.16, "... the man shall rule the woman"
• 1st Corinthians 11:3, "... the man is head of the woman"
• Ephesians 5:23, "... the man is head over the woman"
• Ephesians 5:22, "wives, submit yourself to your husbands"
• 1st Cor.11:8-9, "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man."
• 1st Timothy 2:11, "... let the woman learn ... in all subjection"
• 1st Peter.3:1, "... wives, be in subjection to your own husbands"
• 1st Peter 3:5, " ... the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands"
• 1st Peter 3:6, "Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, ... ."

Added to this, in the discussion on divorce, scripture upholds the headship of the man. A man "puts his wife away", but a woman must "leave her husband" (1st Cor.7:10-12).

Added to this, the grand type is of Adam and Eve displaying Christ and the Church. Whenever does the Church reign over Christ?

Your example of Deborah is surprising. My Bible records the following:

• Israel were at a low point for twenty years and under chastisement. Deborah was not king over Israel. Jabin the Canaanite was
• Deborah, was judge during these years (Jdg.4:4). Was this sign of God changing His order, or was it a sign of fallenness? No man is called "Prince of this world", but Satan is. Is this a sign of God's order or a sign of the failure of men?
• Deborah's lack of authority is shown clearly in that Barak did not obey her
• Ultimately, Barak caused Deborah to do his wish
• In Judges 5:9 a woman saving Israel was a shame to Israel and Barak
• God delivered Israel to Barak, not Deborah
• Jael, the woman who would dishonor Israel was a Kenite
• Jael was treacherous. The Hazorites and Kenites were allies. Jael did not honor this
• Israel had to be delivered by treachery - a trait foreign to God
• What a difference between Moses' song in Exodus 15 to Deborah's song in Judges 5. In Moses's song God gets the glory. Deborah sings of her own glory.

By any means, the narrative of Deborah is how NOT to do things among God's people. The picture painted by Israel and Deborah is one of apostasy and dishonor complete.

But I would like to end with this. Women who take leadership in the Church usually do so BECAUSE the men failed to take their position. Just as Adam bore the responsibility for the fall, so MEN bear the responsibility of God's government being USURPED by women. In my years as a Christian I have seen much, including women taking the lead. I have never seen an Assembly, which has a woman as leader and/or teacher, prosper. I do not say that men have done much better, but should we add folly to slothfulness? If my points above are correct, is it likely that a woman who usurps authority has God's blessing?

Or rather, IF your interpretation of them is correct. I don't think it is.


This is not a command, a statement of certain (and unfortunate) consequence.


Clearly a reference to marriage, because in no other context would a man be the "head" of any woman.


Echoes of 1 Cor 11:3... and that's it. It doesn't apply to an unmarried woman.


Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another"


1 Corinthians 11:11 "However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman."


"The woman"... singular, suggesting two things: that Paul had a particular individual in mind; and, that it is not a universal principle.


Again, wives, in the context of marriage, not women in the context of the assembly.


Cultural, and irrelevant today. Women initiate far more divorces today than men do.


A type is a poor foundation for doctrine. It may be used to illustrate a point already established by plain text.


"Usually" is just a catchall term for "I don't know for sure, and certainly don't have evidence, but I'll cover my ignorance with a bold statement to make it sound authoritative".


"Usurp" is a poor translation of "authentein" and in no way can be applied to every instance of women taking leadership roles.


Again, a misuse of "usurp". Women in leadership is not "folly". It might not be your preference, which is fine, but to slam it with an epithet is to demonstrate your willingness to impose your view on others.

It's obvious that you're jumping all over the Bible, taking quotes out of context, to prove a predetermined point. Your last two sentences clearly show where you're coming from.

Your reasons that women "take leadership" has no merit. In case you haven't read carefully enough...

God made man and women as partners, starting with Adam and Eve and continuing right up to the present time. Misogyny has no place in the kingdom of God; it's nothing more than bigotry. There is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus, but according to you that's not true.

I have been a Christian for many, many years and have been in congregations led by women and men. I haven't seen any real difference; women are just as capable of leadership as men. I have also been married for 51 years to the most wonderful equal partner anyone could possibly have.

That was the third invitation to give a solid exegesis on 1st Timothy 2:12 that you refused.

Your reply is read and noted.

I have only recently converted, and I’m unsure on what my role as a woman is. I really want to be a good Christian, and as I am now 18, I think I want to take a more active part in my faith. As a woman, am I allowed to teach and spread the faith? It appears that in 1 Timothy 2:12 this is condemned - “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet”. If I am not permitted to teach, what should I do to ensure I am an obedient believer of God? Is marriage and having a family the best option? Any replies would be greatly appreciated- I’m new to this