Cheryl Schatz

Hello again Jim,
Thanks for coming back!
There are several hard passages that seem to say one thing, but doing that “who, what, where, when and why” interrogation on the passage, one can see that it isn’t as cut and dried as one first thought.

For example James seems to “clearly” say that Abraham was justified by works…

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

…but was he?

Paul said that Abraham was not justified by works…

Rom 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due.
Rom 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
Rom 4:6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

The fact is that James is not saying that Abraham was justified before God by works, but it was justification before men, since men can only see what we do to know if we are saved, but God looks on the heart.

So we can also see that there appears to be an “apparent” discrepancy on women’s spiritual service. Paul himself states that women can pray and prophesy in the assembly and by edifying the church with their gifts, all will learn and all will be edified, yet 1 Timothy 2:12 seems to be saying that women cannot teach even a single man anything. Is this really what Paul is saying?

We need to ask the questions, who is Paul writing to? What is the reason that Paul is writing the letter? Why did Paul not write this “command” to the churches, but to only his helper, Timothy? What was going on that needed this command? Why didn’t Paul say that the command was from God? Why did Paul say that it was Paul who originated the command? How does this relate to the issue of all godly women regarding their teaching for all of time? Why are there no instances of women stopped from teaching men in the NT? Why was there no OT law that stopped women from teaching men? Why was the prohibition put into such a hard passage of scripture where such unique words were used that it has been difficult to understand Paul? Is it possible that Timothy completely understood the command because he was aware of the prohibition even if years later we have a hard time understanding? How can a universal prohibition be based on just one verse taken from its context? Where are the noted exceptions to the prohibition? How come Priscilla was not charged with teaching a man? How come Priscilla was allowed to teaching a man in Corinth? What was the situation in Corinth that was different than in Ephesus?

The fact is that the “prohibition” is surrounded by very difficult words that don’t seem to make complete sense to most people, yet they are quick to say that the passage is “clear” regarding women’s teaching. How can this be so? How can the passage be so “clear” yet 1 Timothy 2:15 which is the conclusion of the prohibition is one the most difficult verses, if not the most difficult, in the entire bible? It is impossible for such a command to be clear, that is not written to the entire church, not written in the context in an easily understandable fashion and has no second witness to confirm that it is indeed a universal witness, yet we still want to see the command as “clearly” about all godly women for all of church history, instead of a local command for a local problem? This is what tradition has done to our thinking minds. It has clouded our vision and made us prejudice against women.

Well, as you can see, I am very passionate for people to understand 1 Timothy 2:12 in context. The best thing that I can do is to recommend that you get a copy of my DVD set. It is 3.5 hours of teaching that can be played over and over until it sinks in. It is available here http://www.amazon.com/Women-Ministry-Silenced-Set-Free/dp/B000FW4N60 and this blog will be around to answer any other questions that you have. Makes a good Christmas gift 8)

I hope that there is something in my answer that helps you. I am thankful that you are willing to learn because you do want the truth.