Holly

Hi Cheryl

I’ve just recently come across your website and your articles on 1 Timothy, and the interpretation you have given on those troublesome verses of “woman be silent”! I was raised an IB (Independent Baptist) missionary kid and the whole “men in authority, and women in submission” is all I was ever taught, both verbally and by example (my mother was the ULTIMATE submissive woman, and my father was “THE MAN”). I cannot begin to explain the damage that this kind of brain washing has done not only in my spiritual life but also in my physical.

For the first time EVER, I feel as though somebody has given me an interpretation that makes sense! I have a lot of studying and catching up to do, and I’ve ordered your DVD set, but already I cannot explain the sense of freedom from bondage I’m experiencing with just these little treasure snippets I’ve read! All these years, I’ve wondered why on earth God would give me a good understanding of Scripture (although obviously NOT so good, as I’ve never understood these passages!), and the ability to share it with others comprehensively, only to gag me because I was born female. This thinking has not only messed with my understanding of myself and my worth in God’s economy, but it also messed up my understanding of relationships with men, and ultimately the God I love. I am looking forward to getting to know Him better in TRUTH! And I cannot thank you enough for sharing what you have learned here!

You may have already answered this question elsewhere, but I haven’t been able to find it. I’m wondering why you believe Paul uses “the woman” in vs 11 but then uses “a woman” in vs 12? Wouldn’t it have made more grammatical sense if he had of said “but I suffer not THE woman to teach..” if he was again relating to the woman of verse 11?

Holly