Should women be allowed to express their viewpoints during a coed bible study?

Question

1 Timothy 2:11 Let a woman learn in silence, in all subjection.
1 Timothy 2:12 And I do not allow a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence.

Answer 1

The point of writing the Biblical books was to pass on knowledge. Knowledge has to be understood. To be understood, questions must be asked and answered.

Read the whole Bible. Ask questions along the way to understand why the message being conveyed by each author was important at the time and how might it apply today. Think about any subtle differences that may have accumulated from translations over time. Compare the characters within the Bible to your own sense of mankind. Then draw your own conclusion about whether or not women should express their views.

My opinion is yes, women should express their opinions. Others may conclude differently. For me, it is enlightening to hear other people's interpretations which may force me to reexamine my own. If some find it intolerable, they should find a like-minded group within which to study.

Interestingly, it's for these reasons that most theology curriculums include logic and debate as well.

Answer 2

I’m afraid we might be the victims of a translation less specific than it should have been here. Paul was not forbidding women ever to speak at all, or else why would he have admonished them to wear a head covering when praying and prophesying? (1 Cor. 11:5-6) The context of the verse you’ve cited is orderly worship, and the Greek word translated “speak” means to talk, question, argue, or chatter. These are disruptive actions of which some women were guilty. In support of this, in 1 Cor. 14: 35 Paul said that if ever they didn’t understand what that was going on, or had a contrary opinion about something being said, they should wait and discuss it with their husbands when they got home. The definition for “speak” specifically did not prohibit singing, praying, prophesying or public speaking, which women, like men, have always been welcome to do in the church as long as it’s done in an orderly manner.

Answer 3

You have to understand the times in which the Bible was written in order to understand scriptures relating to women. At that time, there were more laws governing the behavior of women, and even as Christians today are admonished to obey the laws of the land, Timothy and other church leaders had no choice but to admonish their followers to obey the laws that were in place at that time. It was probably illegal for women to speak in certain public places, just like slavery was condoned at that time also, but that still doesn't make it right. But thank God for freedom because now there are no laws that restrict a woman's participation in worship services, or any other public event, and to restrict her from her sharing her gifts and talents would ultimately deprive the church. So, to make a long story short, YES, women are human beings, and should be treated as such, and allowed to express their viewpoints in all aspects of life. Thank you very much.

Answer 4

Study further and get an understanding of the issue those passages were dealing with.

And try hard not to ignore the other passages that commend the godly women and even the deaconesses.

Romans 16
1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant[a] of the church in Cenchrea.

Romans 16:12
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

So not only is this same person acknowledging the contributions of women, but if you read the whole passage in context instead of carving out little bits to make your accusation (And the name Satan is "The Accuser") then do understand this...

The issue was disorderly conduct of a church service, and especially by means of speaking in tongues and other prophecies in a distracting and disorderly way. So this was among the rules imposed to try to keep a church service orderly, but it is NOT meant to suppress a woman from serving as a member of the church.

Answer 5

Yes, women can speak their minds in a coed Bible study. Paul's teaching on women being silent in the church were in regard to a woman not exercising authority over a man in a role such as Pastor.

Answer 6

If women were supposed to keep silent during the bible study, why would you make it co-ed in the first place? You either value someone for their opinion or deny them a chance to speak at an open meeting.

Though I do not know why you ask as you already seem to have the answer you are looking for.

Answer 7

Well if you want to go by the Bible yes. If you want to be civil no. But remember the Bible is a book of the Middle east and we all know how that area of the world is.

Answer 8

Oh my... another case of missing the point of the message becasuse of tripping over literal interpretations. Ask God to illuminate the Word as you read, then use both your head and your heart to gain insights. May the Holy Spirit lead you.

Peace and grace.

Answer 9

YOu should be able to speak your mind. IN my opinion gender means nothing in the eyes of Yaweh. Even Yeshua...or as you all call him "Jesus" sent women out to preach his word. Look at the story of Pricilla in the new testament. Arguably one of the first female disciples.

Answer 10

Biblical translations can be taken literal. However it is important to use your God given brain to decide when it is literal and when it is figurative. Not all translations are accurate in our modern day language. Much is left to interpretation. Who else can speak your own mind?