Examining a False Claim regarding Female Leadership

In our discussion of women's roles, let’s look at 1 Timothy 2 (see the full passage below the devotion).

In this chapter about instructions for worship, verses 11-12 say, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” 

Before explaining this passage biblically, let's address the egalitarian claim that this rule only applied to Ephesian women (where Timothy was leading the church). They insist Paul gave this rule that contradicted Scripture because the pagan goddess Artemis had influenced Ephesians to exalt female leadership.

Problems with this claim: 

✔ Nothing in the wording of this passage presents it as cultural or temporary. To hold this egalitarian belief, you must believe our all-knowing God divinely inspired Paul to write something that would be misunderstood throughout church history. 

To better understand cultural commands, see Head Coverings.

✔ Paul gave similar instructions to the Corinthian church, where Artemis worship was not as significant as in Ephesus. And Paul said his instructions applied to “all the congregations of the Lord’s people” (1 Corinthians 14:33-36).

✔ I read multiple articles about Ephesian culture, and the prominence of female leadership in culture was only mentioned in egalitarian articles. See Note #1.

✔ Egalitarians contradict themselves. In 1 Timothy 2, they claim Paul was opposing the culture, and in 1 Corinthians 14, they claim Paul was accommodating the culture. 

More on this passage in next Friday's post.

In answering a reader's questions about this post, I wrote Egalitarians Actually Hold a Low View of Women and Scripture. You might find it helpful.

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I encourage you to read Was Submission Paul's Idea?  It addresses submission in marriage, which is different from submission in the church, but it does offer some insights for responding to the argument that submission was Paul's idea. 

To see some of the illogical arguments used to claim women should be pastors, see A Well-Known Pastor Changes His View about Women Pastors.

Notes

1. Description of Ephesian culture from a secular source: “In Ephesus, women were primarily seen as wives and mothers. They managed households and were expected to bear children, particularly sons, to continue the family lineage.… Men in Ephesian society were the primary decision-makers. They handled public affairs, made financial decisions, and provided for the family” (source). It seems that women dominated the cult of Artemis, but it doesn't appear that this altered women's roles in the family or the culture at large.

2. Egalitarians claim that Paul's mention of outward adornment in verse 9 is tied to Artemis worshipers who wore jewels and fancy hairstyles. I looked it up in fourteen commentaries, and none of them linked this to Artemis worship. 

3. Egalitarians also claim that Paul mentions childbirth as a further proof that he's basing his rules on Artemis because she was associated with childbirth. I looked this verse up in fourteen commentaries as well, and none of them mentioned the connection between childbirth and Artemis. Paul's reference to Adam and Eve and childbirth is an important element of this passage, which we'll discuss in our next post.

4. “As a variation on the Greek and Roman Artemis, who was the goddess of hunting and archery, the Ephesian version of the goddess' emphasis was on birth and fertility, where she was considered a mother goddess” (source). “Hundreds of eunuch priests, virgin priestesses, and religious prostitutes served her. Worship rituals were quite erotic” (source). If Artemis worship was behind Paul's commands, he would have things worse than female leadership to address, and he would need to address men as well as women. 

5. Articles on Artemis: 

Artemis of the Ephesians
Artemis - This is a wiki article, but it's very well documented.
Artemis - In this article, scroll down to #4 under “ENCYCLOPEDIA” to read specifically about the Ephesian Artemis. You'll find no mention of female leadership, childbirth, or outward adornment.

Great Was Artemis of the Ephesians - This article has a reference that says, “The temple of Artemis was massive, and her cult — run entirely by female officials — was the religious centre of the whole area.” But, as stated above, this does not appear to have affected attitudes toward women outside of the temple. I strongly recommend this resource because it offers a wonderful picture of the power of Christianity.

 

The full context 

1 Timothy 2: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

The read the rest of the series:

Part 1: Think God Needs "Updating"? Think Again!

Part 2: Women in Church Leadership: Complementarian or Egalitarian? 

Part 3: When Leadership in the Church is Misused   

Part 4:  My Response to Male Leadership in the Church 

Part 5: Examining a False Claim Regarding Female Leadership

Part 6: Women's Roles: The Message of 1 Timothy 2

BLN