Concerning Women in the Ministry (An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 14:34-37 and 1 Timothy 2:12) I Corinthians 14:34-37 “Let your women keep silence in

Concerning Women in the Ministry

(An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 14:34-37 and 1 Timothy 2:12)

I Corinthians 14:34-37

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”—1 Cor. 14:34,35

Language could scarcely be more plain. It only remains for us to determine if the command of silence for these women at Corinth is intended for all women in all congregations.

A brief study of the original language will show us that the word translated as women can also be translated wives. We may also gain this understanding from the context of the writing. “They are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”

Reference is given here to Genesis 3:16, when God gives the place of the wife, saying that her husband would rule over her, or be her head. “…Let them ask their husbands at home…” This is sufficient proof that these words are directed to wives and not all women in general.

“How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”—1 Cor. 14:26

The burden of the chapter throughout is one of ensuring that the congregation of saints is edified upon their coming together. Thus is given the proper method for speaking in tongues (languages) and prophesying in verses 27-32. So strictly were these instructions to be followed that silence was commanded rather than to go outside of them. “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church…(vs. 28). “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (vs.33).”

We infer from the reading that many of the wives at this location were not in obedience. They were speaking out in public assembly in a domineering way with neither regard for their husbands, nor for the edifying of the church. Their speaking was causing confusion and disorder in the congregation, thus their instruction was not to speak at all, not because they were women, but because they were out of order.

Again, this is consistent with the previous instruction given to a man who speaks in tongues. If he was unable to speak in a foreign language in such a manner that would be decent and orderly and in which all the church may be edified, then let him be silent. “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God (vs. 28).

In chapter 11, verses 4 and 5 of the same epistle, we are made aware that both men and women speak in the congregation of saints, for it says of both that they pray and prophesy. We will now allow the writer of the epistle to himself define what he meant by the word prophesy: “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”—1 Cor. 14:3

According to chapter 11, women did speak in a public assembly of the church, for they, as well as the men, were permitted to prophesy. God granted women the privilege to speak unto men (mankind) that they would be built up in the things of God. Women were permitted to speak so as to provoke to love and good works. By their words, women in the congregation openly comforted the hearts of God’s children.Both men and women, under the direction of God, were able to bring forth the Word of God in such a manner as to convince and reveal God’s judgment to sinners and reveal the innermost secrets of their hearts. Women spoke as to cause the penitent sinner to fall down and worship God and acknowledge that He was behind every word they spoke, according to 1 Cor. 14:24, 25. This, according to Paul, is prophesying and this is done by women as well as men in Christian meetings. “But if all prophesy…” This “all” includes the women, for Paul writes, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”—1 Cor. 1:2

With the forgoing understanding, there is no possibility that the apostle Paul was demanding or imposing silence upon all women in the churches. In fact, in 1 Cor. 14, his burden is not men verses women, but rather order verses disorder.

The burden of his heart as he wrote this epistle is not only for the Corinthian church, but it directly applies in all the present day congregations of the church of God. Not for women only, but also for men. If any speaking will cause confusion and disorder, if no one is being built up in the Lord, and it is no more than a show in the flesh, then keep silent. “Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”—Zech. 2:13

1 Timothy 2:12

“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”—1 Tim. 2:12

Many, however, still feel that it is a very unnatural thing to see a woman preaching. Their primary thought is that by so doing, she is out of her place and is usurping authority over the man. Again, Paul is addressing wives in the home setting, for he speaks of one man and not men in general. “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man...” Again, the Greek word here translated man can also be translated husband. The very next verse strengthens his point when once again, as in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul refers to Genesis and is unquestionably dealing with the husband and wife relationship in the home life. “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (1 Tim 2:13).”

The man (husband) is the head of the [woman, wife] home, not the head of the church. He, with the help of God, sets things in order in his own home. Christ is the head of the church, He being the Son of God, sets things in order in His own church. To usurp authority means to take the authority of someone else as your own and to act with that authority which was never intended to be yours. The woman is not to be forcing her opinions on her husband, for it is not her place to do so. This is the simple meaning of the apostle’s writing.

By the same principle, husbands (or men in general) are not to teach or give direction to Christ concerning matters of His church, for it is not their place. Men must keep silence concerning the gifts and the callings of God. God sets the members in the body as it pleases Him and not as it pleases men (I Cor. 12:18). A woman cannot be guilty of usurping authority over the man by delivering God’s Word if she is called [by God] to preach, for delivering God’s Word is not authority that belongs to man, therefore she did not take it from him. If a man were to forbid a God-called woman to preach, he would be guilty of usurping the authority of God.

The world continues to be plagued with the lifeless, formal traditions of men preachers who are no more than elected officials. In the spirit of bigotry they foam out their bias opinion and attempt to justify their position with a few scriptures clearly taken out of context. While they rant and rave that God would never call a woman to preach, they do not consider that God never called them to preach. Being therefore not of the number of Holy Ghost-called ministers, they can do naught else but proclaim error and advance the most deadly thing that has ever been, which is false religion. —S. Hargrave

Lay Hold on Eternal Life

Lay Hold on Eternal Life

The “crown of life”* (James 1:12) lies at the end of the race. Some run well for a time, and then because of slight hindrances turn from the way. You must endure unto the end. You must follow the example of the zealous apostle who said, “I [reach] forth unto those things which are before,”* () and, “I press toward the mark for the prize.”* (Philippians 3:14) The prize was the “crown of life.” He bends forward in the race with all the energy of his soul. Down at the end of the race he beholds the crown. Neither Sin, Satan, nor the world shall hinder him in securing it. You must be just as much in earnest. You must strive, and that lawfully, lest someone take your crown.

Some years ago a number of boatmen off the coast of New England raced for a prize in single boats. As they were nearing the end of the race it was discovered by the spectators that a special favorite was a half-boat’s length ahead of all its competitors. His friends began to cheer him, and he, animated by their cheers, gave a responsive cheer, and, in doing so, lost a stroke of the oar. A competitor, seeing his opportunity, bent to his oar with all energy, shot past him and won the prize.

The apostle Paul warns you against youthful lusts, and tells you to flee from them; to follow peace, righteousness, godliness; to fight the good fight of faith; and to lay hold upon eternal life.
We are in days when the love of many is waxing cold because iniquity abounds. You must keep the ardor of love glowing in your heart. Allow not the world nor aught else to extinguish the tender flame. Everything that has a tendency to suppress love, to cool its ardor, to dilute its sweetness in your soul, to lessen the yearnings of your heart for more of God, to deprive you of the sweet realization of constantly leaning on his breast—consider all such things your bitter foes and rout them at any cost.

Run life’s race with all the energy of your soul, never relaxing effort until the prize is in full possession. The dying testimony of the apostle Paul may be yours. When he had come down to the end of his journey he said as he stood, as it were, one foot upon time and the other in eternity, “The time of my departure is at hand.”* (II Timothy 4:6) Then taking a last retrospective view of his life, he said, “I have fought a good fight.”* (II Timothy 4:7) Taking a look at inward conditions, he said, “I am now ready to be offered.”* (II Timothy 4:6) And looking out into the future’s prospect, he said, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”* (II Timothy 4:8) O beloved young saints, run well your race. Keep your eyes upon the goal, fight the good fight of faith, be in earnest, live every moment for God, and you can have a dying testimony like the above.

** A CLEAN LIFE **

TEXT: PSALMS 119:9

THEME: “ God wants His people to have a clean life.”

INTRODUCTION: A clean life is God’s standard for His people. A clean life should begin at youth. Worldliness which is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life begin in the life of the young people. So they are exhorted to begin a life according to God’s will which is holiness. When God commands people to be holy, He gives the way for them to be so. This way is seen in His Words.

I. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO CLEAN THEIR LIFE THROUGH HUMAN
MEANS.

A. Education would not do it.
B. Self-discipline will not make it.
C. Legislation would fail. (law)

II. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO CLEAN THEIR LIFE ONLY THROUGH
GOD’S WAY.

A. By seeking the Lord with a whole heart. (psalms 119:10)
B. By keeping God’s word in the heart. (psalms 119:11)
C. By rejoicing in the Lord. (psalms 119:14)


CONCLUSION: My beloved young people a clean life is what God expects of us. This begins in regeneration and is fully accomplished in full-sanctification. Our clean life will bring this sinful world to Jesus. We were cleansed to be met for our Master’s use and prepared unto every good work.

ONE OF TWO

ONE OF TWO

If you will open your bible and begin with the twentieth verse of the seventh chapter of Matthew and read the remainder of the chapter, you will learn that you are one of two sets travelers, one of two trees, one of two kinds of builders.

All men are travelers. Of these travelers there are two divisions. You and I are in one or the other of these two divisions. There are two gates, and only two. There are only two ways, and there are only two destinies. You have entered one of these gates, you are one of these ways, and you are going to one of two destinies.

All men are trees, all are bearing fruit. Of these trees there are two and only two kinds. You and I are one or the other of these two kinds. There are two kinds of trees, two kind of fruit, two kinds of harvests. You are one kind of these kinds of trees. You are bearing one of two kinds of fruit. You are going to reap one of two kinds of harvests which shall it be?

All men are builders. Of these builders there are two and only two sets. You and I are among one or the other of these two sets of builders. These are two and only two foundations on which they are building. These are two and only two foundations on which they are building. These are two and only two results.

You may say that you are not a traveler. But you are a traveler every moment of your life, and the way in which you are traveling will decide what your destiny shall be.

You may ay you are not bearing fruit. But you are bearing fruit everyday of your life, and the kind of fruit that you are bearing fruit everyday of your life, and the kind of fruit you are bearing determines what your harvest will be.

You may say you are not building. But you are building everyday you live, and you are building on one of two foundations, and this determines what will be the result when the end comes.

Those that hear the sayings of Jesus and do these are in the way that leads to life, and bearing the good fruit, and are building n the sure foundation.

Those who hear the sayings of Jesus and do them not are on the broad way, are bearing evil fruit, and are building on the sandy foundation. He that hath ears to hear let him hear.”

HOW TO LIVE THE CHRIST-LIFE

HOW TO LIVE THE CHRIST-LIFE

Man can not naturally live the Christ-life. But Christ has promised to come into our hearts and live in us. In order that we may have Christ dwell in our hearts and that we may live his life, there must be a giving up of our self-life. There must be annihilation of self that Christ may live. It is truly wonderful and as glorious as it is wonderful that man can live the life of Christ in this world. But here is the secret: it is man ceasing to live the self life and Christ living in him.

Imagine a hollow brass figure in the exact image of a man. Suppose you fill this hollow figure with a kind of life which we shall call self-life. This life goes to using the hands and feet, and eyes, ears, tongue, in short, all the members of this brass figure, but using them in the interest of itself. Now you desire to make a change; you want that image to speak, act, and think only for you. You must first put to death the life that is using the figure, cleanse it entirely out, and then get into it yourself. Once in, you can use all the members of that image for yourself. Your body is that image. There was a life in you that used all the members of your body in the interest of self. But there has been a change. You were made a new creature. The life you once had was put to death- was crucified; then Christ stepped into your heart, and now he uses all the members of your body for himself. You still live, yet not you, but Christ lives in you. Once you did things for yourself; now you do them for Christ. Just as you once lived purposely and intentionally for yourself, now you do things purposely and intentionally for Jesus, because it is he that lives, and not you yourself. You remember how once you would plan for yourself. In the evening as you lay upon your bed and again in the morning and throughout the day you would think about what you were going to eat or drink, what you were going to have for clothing, where you were going to live, where you were going to go, and what you were going to do. But now you are changed; you are a new creature. Now it is not you that lives, but Christ lives in you. Now you eat not for yourself but for Jesus. You now go, not where self would lead you, but where that life in you loves to go and would have you do.
You do things, not for yourself, but for Jesus.

O Christ, I die that thou mayest live,
That thou mayest live in me;
That all I think or speak or do,
May be, O Lord, for thee.
May not the least of self remain,
But all be put to death.
Oh, may I nothing do for self,
Nor draw one selfish breath!
To have my Saviour live in me,
To occupy the whole,
To make my heart his royal throne
And take complete control-
'Tis all I ask; 'tis all I wish;
'Tis all my heart's desire,
Content if but a wayside bush
To hold God's holy fire.
Low at thy feet, O Christ I fall
A yielded lump of clay,
For thee to mold me as thou wilt,
To have thy own sweet way.

MY COMMITMENT

“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Ghost power. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Christ! I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

“My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His Presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

“My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I can not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed, I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

“I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem and recognizing me- my banner will be clear!”

*** THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES FOR THE CHRISTIANS ***

TEXT: I PETER 4:7-11

THEME: The needs of the times for Christians, call for a serious spiritual life.

INTRODUCTION: Obviously, this world has come to its perilous times. We can see the signs in

their peak as prophesied by saint Paul( II Tim. 3:1-5) “Man shall be lovers of

their own selves; covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to

parents, thankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false

accusers, incontinent, fierce despises those that are good, traitors, heady,

high-minded, lover of pleasures more than lover of God. They have the form

of godliness but deny the power of God. We who like to please God in this

present world must be serious in our spiritual life.

I. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR SOBERNESS. (v.7)

A. Soberness means temperate and well balance attitude or state of mind.

B. Soberness is the opposite of rushness or resorting to something without

proper consideration.

II. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR PRAYERFULNESS. (v.7)

A. Let us increase our prayerfulness in these evil days. (Matt. 26; 41; phil. 4:6)

B. Prayers will motivate us to obedience to do the will of God.

III. THE NEEDS OF TIMES CALL FOR CHRISTIANS TO BE HOSPITABLE. (v.9)

A. Use hospitality without grudging, but with liberality. (v.9)

B. Give freely with all the heart without counting the cost.

IV. THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES CALL FOR GOOD STEWARDSHIP. (v.10-11)

A. Let us not “bury” or “hoard” the gifts, use them liberally to those that are in

need.

B. Gifts not being used will be lost.

C. If we speak, let us speak as the oracles of God (v.11), never apologize for

telling the truth.

D. Let us trust God for the good results in ministering of our individual gifts.