NIV: "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." CEV: "They should be silent and not be allowed to teach or to tell men what to do." NASB: "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet."
Be a helper to your husband.
While all of us are called to be helpers to others, the Bible places a special emphasis on this responsibility for wives. Genesis tells us that God realized it wasn't good for man to be alone, and that He decided to make a “helper fit” (Genesis 2:18).
Women did tasks as important as those of men, managed their households, and were equals in daily life, but all public decisions were made by men. Men had specific obligations they were required to perform for their wives including the provision of clothing, food, and sexual relations.
They must serve as the heart of the family and serve as role model in Christian purity and grace for her husband and children. When others falter, she must be the center of prayer and guide the family through spiritual storms.
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 “...Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman…”, “For man was not made from woman, but woman from man...” 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 “The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.
The purpose of God in the creation of woman was to provide man with a help meet. The language is unmistakable. “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make for him a helper suited to him.” Woman was made to be man's helpmeet in Eden; that purpose survives the fall.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Women's multiple roles
As a daughter, a woman is traditionally responsible for taking care of her parents. As a wife, she is expected to serve her husband, preparing food, clothing and other personal needs. As a mother, she has to take care of the children and their needs, including education.
It is often assumed that families, whether nuclear or extended, are headed by men and rely primarily on a male breadwinner for economic support. However there are also many households all round the world that are headed by women.
Reading through Scripture, a few passages stand out that directly speak to the role of women in the church: 1 Corinthians 11:3-12, 14:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and Titus 1, 2. These passages are the foundation for the conclusion that women cannot be lead pastors in churches.
1. a. : an adult female person. b. : a woman belonging to a particular category (as by birth, residence, membership, or occupation)
As Ephesians 5:33 instructs, “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” What is this? Just as women need love, men need respect. And as a husband feels respected by his wife, he will begin to live in such a way that he is worthy of respect.
1 Timothy 2:12 is the twelfth verse of the second chapter of the First Epistle to Timothy. It is often quoted using the King James Version translation: But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Paul describes how in the church, God assigns different roles to men and women as a result of the way mankind was created and the way in which sin entered the world (1 Timothy 2:13-14).
15 A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip on a rainy day. 16 How can you keep her quiet? Have you ever tried to stop the wind or ever tried to hold a handful of oil? 17 People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.
Women are the primary caregivers of children and elders in every country of the world. International studies demonstrate that when the economy and political organization of a society change, women take the lead in helping the family adjust to new realities and challenges.
It is important for a wife to treat her husband with love and respect. A good wife should give her husband some personal space without sacrificing quality time together, be caring and compassionate, and should bring out the best in him. Remind him of your love and show him that you care through your actions.
The ideal wife in Proverbs is loyal, merry, capable, and strong, the perfect helper for her man. For more than one man, his wife is the best thing he has going for him, refusing to use his weaknesses as an excuse for not fulfilling her marriage vows.
In The Proverbs 31 Homemaker, Jami discusses the six characteristics of a wise woman: her character as a wife, her devotion as a homemaker, her generosity as a neighbor, her influence as a teacher, her effectiveness as a mother, and her excellence as a woman.
Deborah, the Prophetess and Only Female Judge in the History of Christianity. Out of all the Biblical women in history, Deborah emerged as an exceptional military leader. Fearless and obedient to God, She led the Israelites to victory and out of bondage.
Her virtue shows as she strives steadfastly. All that she does through her work and her diligence are to insure that her family will not suffer in the future. Clothes, food and shelter will be provided by her hard work, but she also realizes that there are other needs for the future in addition to material security.
Rahab feared the Lord more than her own king. Rahab had faith. In Hebrews 11:31, it says that Rahab did not perish with the disobedient because of what she did by faith. Her heart melted in fear of the Lord, but by faith, it was re-built strong again.
The terminology here is identical to Jesus' description of John the Baptist as “among them that are born of women” (Mt. 11:11, italics mine). What this phrase does connote, however, is that Jesus' status is one of astonishing humility and genuine humanity.