Women preachers and leaders :examination of New Testament teaching with focus on 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Abstract

The Thesis discusses women preachers and leaders by examining the New Testament teaching with a focus on 1Timothy 2: 11-15. This is presented in five chapters. Chapter One is mainly introduction encompassing the statement problem, the hypotheses (major and minor), the significance of the study, the purpose of the study, assumptions, limitations and delimitations of the study, plan and method and literature review. Chapter Two deals with the examination of 1 Timothy 2: 11-15 emphasizing 1 Timothy 2: 12. This includes The Author, Recipient and Purpose of 1 Timothy, The Religious Situation at Ephesus, The Exegesis of the Text within the Context and, finally, A Synthesis of the Findings. 1 Timothy 2: 12 cannot be used to answer the question as to whether or not women can be preachers and leaders in the Church today. It must be understood within the context of the Ephesian situation. We would be reading into the text if we use it to decide the outcome of women as preachers and leaders in the Church today. Chapter Three is the examination of selected passages relating to women. These are Romans 16: 1-7, 1 Corinthians 11:5, 1 Corinthians 14:34- 35; 2 Timothy 2:2. They are the texts which are more clear on what women can do. A look at these passages yields findings that do not deter a woman from being a preacher or leader in today's church. Romans 16:1-7 talks of Phoebe who was a deacon in a church and includes others that were fellow workers with Paul. 1 Corinthians 11:5 allows a woman to pray and prophesy in public. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is in the context of the order of worship and is not related to the concept of women as preachers and leaders today. 2 Timothy 2:2 addresses the issue of criteria for those who would be entrusted with the word of God or the responsibility of teaching the word of God. This text includes women which is evident upon application of correct interpretation. Chapter Four discusses the relation of 1 Timothy 2: 11-15 to Romans 16:1-7, 1 Corinthians 11:5, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, 2 Timothy 2:2. In relating the findings of Selected Women-Related Passages in Chapter Three to the teaching of 1Timothy 2:11-15, we determine that Paul cannot be saying women may not be preachers and leaders. If we insist that the teaching of 1Timothy 2: 11-15 is a universal prohibition of women as preachers and leaders in the church, then we must also conclude that the Bible contradicts itself. Chapter Five is the Conclusion. It also outlines the relevance of this thesis to the church in Africa today. A careful look at the passages under study reveals that women can be preachers and leaders in the church and should be accepted as such. As a matter of course, the gift must be polished by education to produce respected leaders such as we see in Phoebe and qualified preachers/teachers as exemplified by Priscilla.