The following scriptures may seem an unlikely beginning reference for the title of this little writing, but just bear with me and see where it goes.

The King James says it this way:

1Co 14:34  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1Co 14:35  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1Co 14:36  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

1Co 14:38  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

1Ti 2:11  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1Ti 2:12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1Ti 2:13  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

1Ti 2:14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

1Ti 2:15  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

The Amplified translation says it this way:

1Co 14:34  The women should keep quiet in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but should take a secondary and subordinate place, just as the Law also says. [Gen. 3:16.]

1Co 14:35  But if there is anything they want to learn, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in church [for her to usurp and exercise authority over men in the church].

1Co 14:36  What! Did the word of the Lord originate with you [Corinthians], or has it reached only you?

1Co 14:37  If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [filled with and governed by the Holy Spirit of God and inspired to interpret the divine will and purpose in preaching or teaching] or has any other spiritual endowment, let him understand (recognize and acknowledge) that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

1Co 14:38  But if anyone disregards or does not recognize [that it is a command of the Lord], he is disregarded and not recognized [he is one whom God knows not].

1Ti 2:11  Let a woman learn in quietness, in entire submissiveness.

1Ti 2:12  I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to remain in quietness and keep silence [in religious assemblies].

1Ti 2:13  For Adam was first formed, then Eve; [Gen. 2:7, 21, 22.]

1Ti 2:14  And it was not Adam who was deceived, but [the] woman who was deceived and deluded and fell into transgression. [Gen. 3:1-6.]

1Ti 2:15  Nevertheless [the sentence put upon women of pain in motherhood does not hinder their souls' salvation, and] they will be saved [eternally] if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control, [saved indeed] through the Childbearing or by the birth of the divine Child.

Usually these two scriptures will bring two very predictable responses; women will immediately quote all the scriptures supporting the times the LORD has used women in ministry, and how there is neither male nor female in Christ Jesus, declaring their equality with men and letting all know they come behind in no gifting. You can bet you will hear from some men on the issue, declaring this proves their Lordship in their home and how women are to be submissive to their husbands, as unto the LORD.

There are a whole lot of people who will see these scriptures as trying to relegate women to some form of slavery, tied to the stove in bare feet and greeting hubby dutifully with his pipe and slippers. They will resist what these scriptures clearly say by explaining Paul was only dealing with ‘cultural’ issues of the day and that these verses simply don’t apply in our modern times.

I have heard some of these ‘teachings’ about the cultural issues of women hollering from one side of the church to the other etc. However, I am simple enough to believe that if you use scripture to interpret scripture, it means what it says. Trying to filter what it means through someone’s understanding of cultural issues is not a very good foundation for understanding scripture.

So What Does it Say?

It does NOT say women can not pray in church nor does it say women cannot prophesy in church, it does say they are to keep silent and that they are not to usurp a mans authority by presuming to teach him.

I realize this is a touchy subject and especially the ‘liberated’ western church with its insatiable appetite for teaching can give you hundreds of reasons why it is alright for women to teach. After all, take a look at all the great women teachers there are! To which I would reply: where are all the great teachers of any gender, these days? Most teaching is simply more fluff and stuff and won’t be remembered next month, let alone in a year or two.

Something being missed here I think is the fact Paul is laying out the order to be followed when the church comes together. He is clearly saying that if God wants to teach something He is fully willing to do it through a man. Of course in this day and age He seldom has the chance to teach anyone anything. Church is not a participatory event anymore; it is a form of theatre, with the minister doing most of the performing.

While at first glance you might think this scripture is of great challenge to the women present, I would suggest the challenge to men if far greater.

Why is this a Challenge to Men?

Eph 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

This will not likely come as a surprise to many, but God’s first institution was the family, with Christ as the head of the man, and the man the head of the wife. Our western thinking will immediately get all riled up and rebel against this truth with all the intellect we can muster and you can bet our adversary is right there providing more ammunition in case we need it.

Lots of wives will reply; you don’t think I am going to submit to that unspiritual, bossy husband of mine do you? God may have meant that verse for some wives, way back then, but it certainly can’t apply today, in my home.

At this point, women should examine their roles as homemaker in light of Prov. 31 to see what the Godly wife looks like. Leave the criticism of your husband until later. Try getting the beam out of your own eye first. Scripture does say you are to submit to your husband as unto Christ, that is what is says, and it does not give you any ‘wiggle room’. So DEAL with it!

Now all you men who have been cheering loudly, listen up!

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Women may think they have an impossible challenge before them, if they are going to submit to you, but your challenge is even more daunting in light of this verse.

So, am I just offering some light hearted humor here? Absolutely not, I am dead serious about the importance of what these scriptures have to say for the church and families today, and in this time! This is serious stuff and should be given the attention it is due.

Why? Firstly this is God’s divine order of things, He is head of the man, and man is head of the woman. Not only in the family, but also in the life of the Church as well. Anyone who can not or will not see this is walking in open rebellion to what God has set in place. It does not take the devil much effort to get us to put this aside as being a misunderstood verse, or something not for today. But it is for today, and it is for all of us!

The Greatest Ministry

In North America within Christendom, a great many people are running here and there looking for a word or confirmation about what God is calling them to. Perhaps learning how to be an Apostle or Prophet, or market place evangelist etc. There is a whole industry in Christendom pretending to teach people how to fulfill God’s call on their life. Most of these teachings are only going to fill the teacher’s bank account.

There may be a few of us called to be the next Benny Hinn or Bible teacher or Prophet of renown but for everyone genuinely called to such an office there are millions and millions of us who are called to the ministry of our own homes, first and foremost! It may not sound glamorous and it may not seem to satisfy our egos need for recognition, but for the largest number of us, that is the ministry the LORD is truly calling us to.

For goodness sake, if we can’t be faithful and fulfill that call, what in the world makes us think we are God’s next gift to the Church?

1Ti 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1Ti 3:3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

1Ti 3:4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

1Ti 3:5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1Ti 3:12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

A clear job pre-qualification for either of these church positions is how well you have ruled your own home. Well, how are you doing fella?

How seriously do you take your role as head of your household? Do you love and cherish your wife, wanting only God’s best for her, and to that end seek how you may cultivate and nurture her? Or do you spend more time following the stats of your favorite sports team, or swapping lies with your buddies down at the pub or coffee shop? Do you see her as a precious gift from God, who indeed is the weaker vessel, to be held gently and protected and cared for? Or do you see her as a nuisance you wished you had never married? Be honest now, God knows your heart anyway.

Men have abdicated their position in the home.

Men have left the role of spiritual leader to their wives and in essence have abdicated their role in the household. I am sure that many women take little persuasion when it comes to usurping their husbands’ authority, since it is just a part of our good old sinful nature. Combine that with a husband walking away from his responsibility and you have a sure fire formula for failure. And that, dear reader is exactly what is happening in a great many ‘Christian’ homes all across our land. We have just as many divorces as non-believers; we have sexual immorality and even abortion! What in the world do we think it looks like to be a Christian? We are to be different; we are to be new creations, so why don’t we look like it?

We ignore God’s order; we spend little to zero time seeking what He has to say, and even less time submitting to it. Yet, we will glibly say we are ‘members of the Royal Priesthood’………let’s give our heads a shake here! Our homes are a mess and we claim to be Royal Priests?? Who is kidding whom?

What kind of effort are you putting into your role as Priest in the home?

If you want to become a tradesman, an electrician lets say, do you think it would require more effort than you have devoted to learning how to become a priest in your home? You bet it would. For starters you would have to work with a journeyman for five years and during each of those five years spend several months at school, learning the academics of the trade. Being the priest in your home, is a far greater calling and responsibility than any trade you can name, so why don’t we take our preparation for it seriously?

This is as far as I need go, if you have not gotten the point being made here by now, you are unlikely to with any more talking.

SUMMARY

The Home is the single most important ministry the vast majority of us will be called to. God has set in place His divine order for how it will function and receive the fullness of His Blessing. He has placed the husband as head of the wife and he is to be the priest and spiritual leader in the home.

When men start to fulfill their God ordained roles in the home, there will automatically follow God’s intended order in the Church. When that happens Paul’s instructions will simply fall into place; as naturally as breathing.

God Bless us All, and may we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

AMEN

JIM TAYLOR

A SIMPLE LAYMAN