Are 1 Tim. 2:12-14 and 1 Cor. 14:34-35 really referring to women being totally quiet or even speaking to a man about the Scriptures?
The verses here deal with "teaching", as one specifically states. It is not referring to being totally quiet or even speaking to a man about the scriptures. It deals with teaching with authority within the congregation. Notice what two friends of Paul did:
(Acts 18:24-26) 24 Now a certain Jew named A·pol´los, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, arrived in Eph´e·sus; and he was well versed in the Scriptures. 25 This [man] had been orally instructed in the way of Jehovah and, as he was aglow with the spirit, he went speaking and teaching with correctness the things about Jesus, but being acquainted with only the baptism of John. 26 And this [man] started to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Pris·cil´la and Aq´ui·la heard him, they took him into their company and expounded the way of God more correctly to him.
Here both Aquila and his wife helped him. Obviously she had no problem speaking and "expounding" to Aquila. She was with her husband but was NOT silent with a man. In the congregational meetings she would not teach. However it does not mean she could not speak about something, such as relating an experience from her ministry, etc. Note Paul spoke of "teach OR have authority OVER a man", a dual thought.
The Insight Book, Vol 2; Heading: "Woman" also has an excellent contribution concerning this:
"There were meetings when these women could pray or prophesy, provided they wore a head covering. (1 Cor. 11:3-16) However, at what were evidently public meetings, when "the whole congregation" as well as "unbelievers" assembled in one place (1 Cor. 14:23-25), women were to "keep silent." If `they wanted to learn something, they could question their own husbands at home, for it was disgraceful for a woman to speak in a congregation.'—1 Cor. 14:31-35.
"While not permitted to teach in congregational assembly, a woman could teach persons outside the congregation who desired to learn the truth of the Bible and the good news about Jesus Christ (compare Ps 68:11), as well as be a `teacher of what is good' to younger women (and children) within the congregation. (Tit. 2:3-5) But she was not to exercise authority over a man or dispute with men, as, for example, in the meetings of the congregation. She was to remember what happened to Eve and how God expressed the matter of woman's position after Adam and Eve had sinned.—1 Tim. 2:11-14; Ge 3:16."
For much more, see:
Women - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses Category)
Head Covering - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses Truths Category)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------The verses here deal with "teaching", as one specifically states. It is not referring to being totally quiet or even speaking to a man about the scriptures. It deals with teaching with authority within the congregation. Notice what two friends of Paul did:
(Acts 18:24-26) 24 Now a certain Jew named A·pol´los, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, arrived in Eph´e·sus; and he was well versed in the Scriptures. 25 This [man] had been orally instructed in the way of Jehovah and, as he was aglow with the spirit, he went speaking and teaching with correctness the things about Jesus, but being acquainted with only the baptism of John. 26 And this [man] started to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Pris·cil´la and Aq´ui·la heard him, they took him into their company and expounded the way of God more correctly to him.
Here both Aquila and his wife helped him. Obviously she had no problem speaking and "expounding" to Aquila. She was with her husband but was NOT silent with a man. In the congregational meetings she would not teach. However it does not mean she could not speak about something, such as relating an experience from her ministry, etc. Note Paul spoke of "teach OR have authority OVER a man", a dual thought.
The Insight Book, Vol 2; Heading: "Woman" also has an excellent contribution concerning this:
"There were meetings when these women could pray or prophesy, provided they wore a head covering. (1 Cor. 11:3-16) However, at what were evidently public meetings, when "the whole congregation" as well as "unbelievers" assembled in one place (1 Cor. 14:23-25), women were to "keep silent." If `they wanted to learn something, they could question their own husbands at home, for it was disgraceful for a woman to speak in a congregation.'—1 Cor. 14:31-35.
"While not permitted to teach in congregational assembly, a woman could teach persons outside the congregation who desired to learn the truth of the Bible and the good news about Jesus Christ (compare Ps 68:11), as well as be a `teacher of what is good' to younger women (and children) within the congregation. (Tit. 2:3-5) But she was not to exercise authority over a man or dispute with men, as, for example, in the meetings of the congregation. She was to remember what happened to Eve and how God expressed the matter of woman's position after Adam and Eve had sinned.—1 Tim. 2:11-14; Ge 3:16."
For much more, see:
Women - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses Category)
Head Covering - Links to Information (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses Truths Category)
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