From Category: Paul's letters
I have been listening to teaching from Mike Winger, N.T. Wright, Tim Mackie and Allen Parr on 1 Corinthians 14, specifically the part pertaining to women speaking in church. Some thoughts I've had:
I'm still trying to work out what I believe when it comes to complementarian/egalitarian positions. This is just an attempt at untangling my thoughts and figuring out what I do believe from this passage. There are Bible teachers I greatly admire and respect who take a strong stance on both sides of this debate. Here's to more learning!
- Not permanent. Previously in the chapter, Paul addresses people speaking in tongues and prophesying. To those speaking in tongues he tells them to keep silent if there is no interpreter. To those prophesying he tells them to stop if someone else gets up. The same word is used for both these instances and is used again when he tells women to remain silent (sigao). So he cannot be instructing a permanent silence.
- Not regarding preaching. I think the instruction in verse 35 (“if they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home”) makes it clear that this instruction does not concern preaching. I’m not saying it says that women should preach, just that I don’t think it prohibits it. The verse seems to be concerned with women asking questions, or inquiring about something (perhaps related to prophecy), and that is what they should refrain from doing. The NASB translates it to “if they want to learn anything,” which suggests that this is not in the context of teaching.
- Not regarding prophecy. The rest of the chapter makes no distinction between genders when prophesying. Furthermore, in chapter 11 verse 5, Paul speaks directly to women who are praying and prophesying. Add to that the witness of the many prophetesses in Scripture (e.g. Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Anna), and it becomes clear that Paul is not saying women cannot speak to prophesy.
- Concerning order. Paul’s primary aim/overall big picture in this chapter, particularly of verses 26-40, is that there is order to the church gathering. He says in verse 33 that God is a God of peace, not disorder, and that this should be reflected in the gatherings of His people. He finishes the chapter by advocating for everyone to encourage prophecy and tongues, but noting that “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” This is why I’m not convinced that the instruction to women to keep quiet pertains to authority to weigh the prophecy, as I’ve heard taught. This passage is not discussing church leadership or authority. That verse (v 29) says that “the others should weigh carefully what is said.” I don’t think there’s a clear continuation of the idea in the following verses to make the argument that this is what women are prohibited from doing.
- Situational. That they should ask their husbands seems to me an indication that this can’t be a universal order to all women. Many women do not have husbands, or do not have believing husbands who can answer these questions. Rather, it seems to suggest that this is a situational instruction. He addresses specific situations in the church in Corinth throughout the chapter; debates on the superiority of tongues and prophecy, how to approach the speaking of tongues without an interpreter, the control of those who prophecy over what they say. It is therefore not convenient or stretching to understand the instruction for women to remain quiet for a time as something that speaks to a specific situation. Many suggest that men and women sat separately in this culture, and that the questions or interruptions from wives to their husbands was disruptive to the service.
I'm still trying to work out what I believe when it comes to complementarian/egalitarian positions. This is just an attempt at untangling my thoughts and figuring out what I do believe from this passage. There are Bible teachers I greatly admire and respect who take a strong stance on both sides of this debate. Here's to more learning!
23 February 2022
I finished reading Paul's letter to Titus over the weekend and had some thoughts 😊. The book of Titus is a letter written by Paul to (surprise) Titus, a fellow missionary partner. Paul had left Titus in Crete, to bring order to the newly established churches on the island.
A brief summary:
The Cretan churches are in desperate need of sound leadership to combat the false teaching many are receiving. These false teachers claim to be Christians, but their actions belie them. They do not act out their faith, and their teachings are leading many astray.
Paul offers a description of what Christian living should look like - when actions do confirm words. He describes how this applies to older men and women, to younger men and women, and to slaves/bondservants. His primary concern seems to be that the Christian lifestyle provides a compelling witness to non-believers, urging us: "show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works" so that nothing evil can be said about Christians (2:7).
Paul then provides a general overview of what Gospel living should look like, reminding us that we were all lost sinners who have been rescued by God's grace, not because of anything that we have done for Him but because of His love for us. Therefore we should show "perfect courtesy toward all people" (3:2). The church should not be characterised by hatred (even to those we disagree with) but by love. Again, Paul's concern for the church's witness is clear.
Some thoughts on this book:
- I’ve heard quite a lot about the ‘Titus 2’ woman (especially from social media accounts) so I was surprised at how little time is actually spent addressing her specifically. I think we can get sucked into these constructs of role models (like the Proverbs 31 woman) but it’s important to realise that the entire Bible, not just these idealised passages, is our instruction for living. I’m not trying to diminish these descriptions - we should strive to be like the women described in Titus 2 - but it’s not our only guidance. There’s a danger of referring so much to these passages that it can seem as though these are the only select passages written for women in the Bible. That’s not true; the Bible is given to all people, all genders, all nations.
- Our faith should change how we live. It is a massive challenge to us that our actions should be proving our faith. We are not saved by works - Paul makes it clear that we are saved only by God's mercy to us (3:5) - but having been saved we should devote ourselves to good works (3:8). Many have been hurt by professing Christians, and have turned away from the church because they believe all Christians are hypocrites. But Paul urges us not to be like the false teachers who "profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works" (1:16).
- Clearly the local church plays an important role in witnessing to the surrounding community. The way we live should "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour" (2:10); it should provide proof of the Gospel. We are redeemed from lawlessness by Christ's sacrifice and we are to be "zealous for good works" (2:14). In this transformed way of living, we can prove the Gospel to non-believers.
He urges us not to be distracted by "foolish controversies" (3:9) but encourages the church to strive for unity, and to avoid those who pursue division.
- The church was well-known during the Bubonic Plague for serving the sick and dying. I remember at the start of this pandemic hearing many exhortations to show the same kind of compassion to those suffering now. There have been amazing stories of kindness and goodness which have come out of this pandemic, but there has also been a lot of division created, particularly regarding the intersection between restrictions and personal rights.
Christians have - whether fairly or unfairly - become associated with a group of people who resist restrictions at every turn. Why are we so obsessed with our rights? Christians are, of all people, to be those who make sacrifices for the sake of others.
We should be transformed by our faith, doing good to all, being characterised by love and acting in a way which represents the Gospel.
19 May 2021
1 Timothy is the first of the ‘Pastoral Epistles’ written by Paul to his protegé Timothy in Ephesus. Paul sets out his purpose in writing this letter in 1 Timothy 3:14-15: “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”
The first chapter of this letter addresses the issue of false teachers and reminds Timothy of the amazing salvation we have from sin in Jesus Christ.
The following points strike me from this letter:
In verse 3, Paul urges Timothy to “remain in Ephesus.” Clearly there are many issues in this church, and Timothy surely felt overwhelmed at times, particularly without his mentor Paul there to help and guide him.
But the fact that Paul encouraged Timothy to remain in Ephesus, despite its sinful environment, rather than going somewhere more receptive to the Gospel, is encouragement to those of us living in places where there is opposition to the Gospel. It is good for God’s people to be in the world, witnessing like lights in the darkness.
It can be enormously discouraging at times to see the lack of fellow believers and to have many friends who are hostile to God, but it is often God’s will for us to remain in these ‘Ephesuses’ and continue to witness and live as an ambassador for Christ.
(This is to say nothing of our brothers and sisters facing true persecution for their faith, and they remain in our thoughts and prayers always.)
2) Oppose false doctrine.
The reason Paul urges Timothy to remain in Ephesus is so that he can “charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith” (v4).
‘Stewardship’ can also mean ‘orderly plan’ so in this verse it can refer to: a) God’s orderly plan for salvation or b) Human responsibility to partner with God in this orderly plan for salvation. Either way, the point is that God has set out our salvation for us in Jesus Christ and the church should respond by proclaiming this Good News, not anything else.
We should always oppose false doctrine. The church is meant to proclaim the truth (and there can only be one truth) and any additions or perversions of this should be cut off immediately. The “myths and endless genealogies” might indicate an early form of Gnosticism (which was a second-century movement suggesting that salvation was ‘accessed’ through ‘secrete knowledge’).
As Calvin points out: “Paul will not acknowledge the Church except where God’s truth is exalted and plain.”
I think this speaks to many churches today, but I especially think of the Prosperity Gospel; this is clearly a perversion of the truth.
We preach Christ crucified. We preach the Good News. We proclaim God’s truth. We should not add to this, we should not twist it for our gain.
“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” (D.T. Niles).
In verse 5: “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
Our goal is love; we should be motivated by love, not pride or greed or legalism or any other selfish desire.
A pure heart manifests itself by showing love to others (not just professing faith which doesn’t impact our lives). We can have a good conscience because we know that in Christ Jesus we are free from the crushing guilt of sin. We show that our faith is sincere by depending on God and not ourselves. These things lead us to love.
Paul points out the danger of swerving from these things: wandering to vain discussion (idle talk), wanting to be teachers of the law which they do not understand (pride can be very dangerous), making confident assertions which can lead others astray.
These warnings are unfortunately very relatable. I am so often motivated by pride instead of love. Even in church my pride can guide my actions. I think of Jesus: “seek first the kingdom of God.”
In days of social media accounts ‘for the Lord’, and young celebrity preachers, and debates on women in leadership, pride is an easy and lethal trap to fall into. But we should be guided by love. Leave everything else aside. Jesus, all for Jesus. I write and I speak and I tell others about Jesus because I love Jesus. And when I find myself slipping, I come back to Him, kneeling by the cross, confessing my sin again.
4) There is no sin too great to separate us from Jesus.
Paul ends this chapter with an incredible encouragement: salvation is for all. There is no sin too great to separate us from Jesus.
He points to himself, calling himself ‘the foremost sinner.’ But “the grace of our Lord overflowed for [him] with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v14).
Paul asserts that through his own testimony, God is able to show his exceeding mercy. Paul was a persecutor of the church; he was as hostile to God and His people as he could be. And yet God saved him. His mercy covers our sins. We are never ‘too far gone’ for forgiveness.
Furthermore, his former sins were not held against him. He became one of the greatest missionaries to ever live. As Spurgeon explains: “After Paul was saved, he became a foremost sinat. The Lord did not allot him a second-class place in the church…the Lord did not say ‘I save you, but I shall always remember your wickedness to your disadvantage.’ Brother, there is no reason why, if you have gone very far in sin, you should not go equally far in usefulness.”
God has an amazing pattern of repurposing broken sin for His glory. Paul’s testimony reminds us that we are never too far from Jesus.
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
The first chapter of this letter addresses the issue of false teachers and reminds Timothy of the amazing salvation we have from sin in Jesus Christ.
The following points strike me from this letter:
1) Remain in Ephesus.
In verse 3, Paul urges Timothy to “remain in Ephesus.” Clearly there are many issues in this church, and Timothy surely felt overwhelmed at times, particularly without his mentor Paul there to help and guide him.
But the fact that Paul encouraged Timothy to remain in Ephesus, despite its sinful environment, rather than going somewhere more receptive to the Gospel, is encouragement to those of us living in places where there is opposition to the Gospel. It is good for God’s people to be in the world, witnessing like lights in the darkness.
It can be enormously discouraging at times to see the lack of fellow believers and to have many friends who are hostile to God, but it is often God’s will for us to remain in these ‘Ephesuses’ and continue to witness and live as an ambassador for Christ.
(This is to say nothing of our brothers and sisters facing true persecution for their faith, and they remain in our thoughts and prayers always.)
2) Oppose false doctrine.
The reason Paul urges Timothy to remain in Ephesus is so that he can “charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith” (v4).
‘Stewardship’ can also mean ‘orderly plan’ so in this verse it can refer to: a) God’s orderly plan for salvation or b) Human responsibility to partner with God in this orderly plan for salvation. Either way, the point is that God has set out our salvation for us in Jesus Christ and the church should respond by proclaiming this Good News, not anything else.
We should always oppose false doctrine. The church is meant to proclaim the truth (and there can only be one truth) and any additions or perversions of this should be cut off immediately. The “myths and endless genealogies” might indicate an early form of Gnosticism (which was a second-century movement suggesting that salvation was ‘accessed’ through ‘secrete knowledge’).
As Calvin points out: “Paul will not acknowledge the Church except where God’s truth is exalted and plain.”
I think this speaks to many churches today, but I especially think of the Prosperity Gospel; this is clearly a perversion of the truth.
We preach Christ crucified. We preach the Good News. We proclaim God’s truth. We should not add to this, we should not twist it for our gain.
“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” (D.T. Niles).
3) Remain motivated by love.
In verse 5: “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
Our goal is love; we should be motivated by love, not pride or greed or legalism or any other selfish desire.
A pure heart manifests itself by showing love to others (not just professing faith which doesn’t impact our lives). We can have a good conscience because we know that in Christ Jesus we are free from the crushing guilt of sin. We show that our faith is sincere by depending on God and not ourselves. These things lead us to love.
Paul points out the danger of swerving from these things: wandering to vain discussion (idle talk), wanting to be teachers of the law which they do not understand (pride can be very dangerous), making confident assertions which can lead others astray.
These warnings are unfortunately very relatable. I am so often motivated by pride instead of love. Even in church my pride can guide my actions. I think of Jesus: “seek first the kingdom of God.”
In days of social media accounts ‘for the Lord’, and young celebrity preachers, and debates on women in leadership, pride is an easy and lethal trap to fall into. But we should be guided by love. Leave everything else aside. Jesus, all for Jesus. I write and I speak and I tell others about Jesus because I love Jesus. And when I find myself slipping, I come back to Him, kneeling by the cross, confessing my sin again.
4) There is no sin too great to separate us from Jesus.
Paul ends this chapter with an incredible encouragement: salvation is for all. There is no sin too great to separate us from Jesus.
He points to himself, calling himself ‘the foremost sinner.’ But “the grace of our Lord overflowed for [him] with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (v14).
Paul asserts that through his own testimony, God is able to show his exceeding mercy. Paul was a persecutor of the church; he was as hostile to God and His people as he could be. And yet God saved him. His mercy covers our sins. We are never ‘too far gone’ for forgiveness.
Furthermore, his former sins were not held against him. He became one of the greatest missionaries to ever live. As Spurgeon explains: “After Paul was saved, he became a foremost sinat. The Lord did not allot him a second-class place in the church…the Lord did not say ‘I save you, but I shall always remember your wickedness to your disadvantage.’ Brother, there is no reason why, if you have gone very far in sin, you should not go equally far in usefulness.”
God has an amazing pattern of repurposing broken sin for His glory. Paul’s testimony reminds us that we are never too far from Jesus.
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
24 April 2021
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