Could someone explain these passages to me please?

[kleine_katerine]

Hey all,

Have been doing a bit of private Bible study and have gotten stumped on what these passages mean. I was raised in a rather feminist household and although I no longer agree with a lot of the things they say, I still get touchy about basic inequalities. Perhaps I’m missing the obvious, if so, please point it out to me. These are the passages (1 Timothy 2:11-15) with my notes.

1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. - Just the woman or the man also?
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence. -* If nothing else it suggests a woman cannot become a priest (i.e. a teacher and/or fisher of men), but why must she be in silence?*
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed; then Eve. - Got no problem with this bit!
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not seduced; but the woman, being seduced, was in the transgression. - True, Eve chose to place herself above God and listened to the serpent. Is this the fault of all women however?
1Ti 2:15 Yet she shall be saved through child bearing; if she continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. - Huh?

Thanks and God bless,

Katherine

 

[Della]

Hey all,

Have been doing a bit of private Bible study and have gotten stumped on what these passages mean. I was raised in a rather feminist household and although I no longer agree with a lot of the things they say, I still get touchy about basic inequalities. Perhaps I’m missing the obvious, if so, please point it out to me. These are the passages (1 Timothy 2:11-15) with my notes.

1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. - Just the woman or the man also?
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence. -* If nothing else it suggests a woman cannot become a priest (i.e. a teacher and/or fisher of men), but why must she be in silence?*
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed; then Eve. - Got no problem with this bit!
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not seduced; but the woman, being seduced, was in the transgression. - True, Eve chose to place herself above God and listened to the serpent. Is this the fault of all women however?
1Ti 2:15 Yet she shall be saved through child bearing; if she continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. - Huh?

Thanks and God bless,

Katherine

What we have here is a matter of liturgical discipline. It seems that during the liturgy women were interrupting to ask questions and make comments or share insights. That is not what a liturgical gathering is for–that’s a Scripture study. St. Paul is saying that women don’t have that liturgical function, but just being ordinary people doing their ordinary things as good wives and mothers is sufficient for them. This last puts me in mind of St. Therese’s Little Way of doing small things with great love.

So, women don’t have to be liturgical ministers of the word, doing the work of ordained men, in order to be contributing to the faith community. Just being faithful in their state in life is all they need do–and that is a lot! For who besides mothers do more to shape the hearts and minds of their children? G. K. Chesterton said that mothers are generalists who must be educated in everything so they can impart everything to their children. I hope that helps–or at least gives you direction for further inquiry.