WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.100 Good morning, everybody. Welcome to Church of the Advent. One of the reasons I love and am thankful for the lectionary, which is the reading plan that we follow, which determines the texts that we look at on Sunday by and large. 00:00:17.100 --> 00:00:27.859 One of the reasons I love this is because if we follow it, we end up looking at and preaching on very difficult passages, passages that might otherwise we might be very tempted to avoid. 00:00:28.780 --> 00:00:42.020 And yet, because we follow the lectionary, we encounter these passages, and we have an opportunity to mine their riches, to wrestle with them and with God. 00:00:42.020 --> 00:00:58.140 You know, the church fathers believed that God actually intentionally puts things in Scripture that are hard to understand, stumbling blocks, because there is tremendous value that comes from wrestling with difficult texts. 00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:05.200 So we're thankful that we get to do that this morning. The passage that we're going to be looking at is 1 Timothy chapter 2. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:09.560 We're going to look at the whole chapter. Part of it's printed in your bulletin, but we're going to be looking at the whole chapter. 00:01:09.560 --> 00:01:20.140 It's probably one of the most hotly debated passages in the entire Bible. The mere mention of this raises the tension in the room. 00:01:20.240 --> 00:01:24.760 And I think people begin to brace themselves for disagreement or maybe even division. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:33.140 Ironically, I think this is the exact opposite of what Paul had in mind when he wrote these words. 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:35.520 He has in mind the opposite. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:39.319 Paul's heart in this passage is clearly not to divide. 00:01:39.459 --> 00:01:47.780 It's actually to call the church together, to come together as a community of prayer and holiness and gospel witness. 00:01:48.199 --> 00:01:52.159 So I want us to look at this passage with that in mind. 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:59.939 You know, regarding the role of women in the church, there is a strong biblical case to be made on both sides. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:08.439 This is one of several issues in our church and in our denomination where we believe faithful Christians can disagree. 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:15.139 So when we get to that part of this text, which is what it's most well known for, 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:20.639 I'm going to give you my best take on what I believe is happening in this passage. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:29.239 For anyone who wants to ask questions or dig deeper, we're actually talking about this right now, this issue in our adult ed class. 00:02:29.679 --> 00:02:34.239 And we had a great time this morning and we'll be together again next Sunday. 00:02:34.459 --> 00:02:38.139 So if you want to follow up and talk more about this, come to that class. 00:02:38.239 --> 00:02:40.319 That's the perfect place to have that conversation. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:46.780 So I'm going to tell you what I think is happening here, but I also don't want us to lose the forest for the trees. 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:51.739 Because I actually think this passage has a lot to say to everyone in this room, 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:57.219 regardless of where you fall on that particular question and issue. 00:02:57.359 --> 00:02:59.359 So let's pray and look at God's word together. 00:03:00.859 --> 00:03:04.400 Our Lord and Heavenly Father, we thank you for blessing us with your word. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:17.439 And we thank you that every syllable, every punctuation mark, or every jot and tittle in this Bible is here for our nourishment and our edification. 00:03:17.980 --> 00:03:21.580 Lord, we cannot live, as your word itself says, without it. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:27.759 And we pray that through your word this morning, you would give us life and that you would give us yourself. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:33.659 We pray that you would prepare us to come to your table through your word. 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:35.359 Lord, we pray this in your son's holy name. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:36.039 Amen. 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:47.159 So I actually believe that the key to understanding the entire letter of 1 Timothy is found in Acts chapter 19. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:53.879 And the story of how the church that Timothy leads was originally started. 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:57.939 The context really matters. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:02.460 The city of Ephesus was dominated by the Temple of Artemis. 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:05.060 First century Ephesus was dominated. 00:04:05.140 --> 00:04:06.560 It was dominated architecturally. 00:04:06.760 --> 00:04:08.219 It was dominated culturally. 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:13.060 It was known in the broader empire for the Temple to Artemis. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:17.480 That temple was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:23.300 And the cult of Artemis worship had a massive influence over the culture of that city. 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:29.300 In Acts chapter 19, we see that Paul's ministry in Ephesus was very successful. 00:04:29.300 --> 00:04:36.139 As a result, a large number of Artemis worshipers had converted to Christianity. 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:42.340 So many people had converted, in fact, that it had impacted the local economy. 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:48.060 The craftsmen who made idols connected to Artemis worship were in danger of going out of business. 00:04:48.920 --> 00:04:52.780 They were losing tons of money because all of these Artemis worshipers were becoming Christians. 00:04:52.779 --> 00:05:00.919 And there was a growing fear that if this continued, the cult of Artemis would lose its influence as the source of the city's fame. 00:05:01.119 --> 00:05:03.139 And that the city's fame would be diminished. 00:05:03.979 --> 00:05:08.599 And so people are so upset about this, the crowds come out and they begin to riot in the streets. 00:05:09.059 --> 00:05:12.179 And for hours and hours they chant together, 00:05:12.659 --> 00:05:14.779 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:17.559 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:05:17.560 --> 00:05:31.139 There we go. 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:35.199 I thought I was going to be all smooth doing that. 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:41.819 So they're out there and they're chanting and they're rioting, 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.779 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians. 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:48.919 And this tells us something about the makeup of this church. 00:05:49.539 --> 00:05:52.099 This church most likely had a mixture of people. 00:05:52.659 --> 00:05:54.419 It had some Jewish people. 00:05:55.239 --> 00:06:01.279 And it also had a very large number of former Artemis worshipers. 00:06:02.059 --> 00:06:04.119 And if you read the whole letter, 00:06:04.679 --> 00:06:08.179 it's clear that all of the challenges that Timothy faces, 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:11.579 I believe, are related to that influence. 00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:17.459 And it's clear that the main issue that Paul is dealing with in this letter to Timothy 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:19.459 is the problem of false teaching. 00:06:20.479 --> 00:06:22.859 That false teaching is running rampant. 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:28.039 Gordon Fee, one of the great New Testament scholars of our day, 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:33.740 says that nearly every verse in the letter relates in some way to false teaching. 00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:36.019 In other words, I'll put it this way. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:44.359 Timothy's main challenge is to help people disentangle their Christian beliefs, 00:06:44.479 --> 00:06:46.240 their Christian doctrine and practice, 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:53.339 from all of these other ideas that are being propagated by false teachers 00:06:53.339 --> 00:06:56.120 and these influences in the culture. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:58.959 So we see evidence of Jewish influences. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:03.259 So Paul references people wasting time on endless genealogies 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:05.099 or forbidding certain kinds of food. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:09.159 But we also see evidence of pagan influences 00:07:09.159 --> 00:07:11.860 likely from the cult of Artemis. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:15.680 So Paul references people being led astray by myths 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:19.920 and devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:23.920 So I believe the key to understanding this letter 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:26.959 starts by appreciating the significant influence 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:30.599 of the cult of Artemis on this church. 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:35.860 Timothy has to figure out, how do I disciple and catechize converts 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:39.980 who have grown up in a city dominated by the cult of Artemis? 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:45.200 So at the end of chapter 1, Paul commissions Timothy to fight the good fight 00:07:45.200 --> 00:07:47.740 by upholding sound doctrine and godly character, 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:49.860 and that brings us to the beginning of chapter 2. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:55.800 And the main concern of chapter 2 is not the ordination of women. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:08:01.240 The main concern of chapter 2 in its entirety is the spread of the gospel. 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.600 It's the spread of the gospel. 00:08:04.460 --> 00:08:08.280 Two things, that we pray for the spread of the gospel 00:08:08.280 --> 00:08:12.819 and that we do nothing to hinder the spread of the gospel. 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:15.819 So I want to look at those two parts. 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:19.759 First of all, verses 1 through 7, that we pray for it. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:26.360 Paul says essentially, pray for all people in every way you can, 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:31.240 especially for our leaders, so that we can live a peaceful life. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:33.279 Now why is this so important? 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:35.019 Why is it important to pray for our leaders? 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:39.939 Well, so that the gospel can spread unhindered to all people. 00:08:40.340 --> 00:08:44.439 Because he says, God desires all people to be saved. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:46.120 Everyone. 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:49.399 So it says here, God our Savior, verse 4, 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:53.440 wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:57.600 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, 00:08:58.019 --> 00:09:03.060 the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:07.940 Now this would be challenging to modern Western ears 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:10.120 because we don't like the idea of exclusivity 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:14.039 and people have a hard time with the truth and the reality 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:19.019 that Christ is the only way to salvation and to be reconciled to God. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:23.939 It also would have been challenging to first century ears in Ephesus, 00:09:24.459 --> 00:09:26.439 but for very different reasons. 00:09:27.319 --> 00:09:30.339 We know from archaeological evidence that in Ephesus, 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:37.199 when people use titles like God or like Savior or like Lord, 00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:39.919 they weren't talking about the God of the Bible. 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:42.799 They were talking about Artemis. 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:44.599 Artemis was God. 00:09:45.099 --> 00:09:46.179 Artemis was Queen. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:47.939 Artemis was Savior. 00:09:48.579 --> 00:09:49.679 Artemis was Lord. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:55.019 And the five most common titles used for Artemis include these titles. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:59.079 First, Queen, Lord, Savior, and God. 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:03.199 So I actually don't think it's a coincidence that Paul makes a point 00:10:03.199 --> 00:10:07.699 at the end of chapter 1 of referring to God as the King of the Ages, 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:11.220 Jesus, immortal, invisible, the only God. 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:14.400 And then he goes on in chapter 2, 00:10:14.540 --> 00:10:18.200 there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, 00:10:18.520 --> 00:10:20.379 the man, Jesus Christ. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.960 He is in everywhere saying, 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:26.300 our God is far superior to your God. 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:29.759 Artemis and the other gods in the Greco-Roman pantheon 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:32.140 demanded continual sacrifices. 00:10:32.560 --> 00:10:35.100 And Artemis was known for being very petty 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:40.080 and very impatient if she was neglected to worship she believed she was due. 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.500 She was known to be vengeful 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:45.680 if you didn't offer the proper sacrifices 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:47.279 and the proper devotion. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:49.920 Paul is saying, on the other hand, 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:52.700 our Lord, the God we worship, Jesus Christ, 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:57.759 he was the one who was willing to offer himself as a sacrifice for us 00:10:57.759 --> 00:11:01.059 to give himself as a ransom for all. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:05.519 So the point, I believe, that Paul is making is this, 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:09.059 that God's desire is for all people to come to know that truth, 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:13.139 that Christ alone is worthy of our worship and devotion. 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.159 Christ alone is worthy. 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:18.740 So Paul is calling us in these first seven verses, 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:21.319 pray for all people to know this. 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:25.060 Even the kings, even the emperor, everybody. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:28.620 There wasn't a Christian ruler anywhere in the world at this time. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:31.120 So he's not just saying pray for Christians, 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.600 pray for everyone. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:34.500 At this time, you know who is the emperor? 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:35.379 Nero. 00:11:36.900 --> 00:11:40.340 A man known for his cruelty and persecution of Christians. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:43.820 Paul says, pray that Nero would come to know the truth of Jesus. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:45.800 Pray for all leaders. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:48.140 By the way, every time we do the prayers of the people 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:51.639 and we pray for all the needs of the world and all of our leaders, 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:53.240 regardless of whether we voted for them, 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:56.519 we're obeying this command, right? 00:11:57.379 --> 00:12:01.759 So here Paul addresses first the need to pray for this, 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.819 and then he goes on to say, 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:06.080 and in the way you live and conduct your life as a church 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:07.279 when you gather for worship, 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:10.659 don't do anything to hinder the spread of the gospel. 00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:14.519 Sometimes we need to get out of our own way as Christians. 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:18.019 So this is what I believe verses 8 to 15 are all about. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:21.539 So apparently first, there's a problem with men getting angry 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.939 and fighting with one another. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:25.179 That doesn't seem like too much of a stretch. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:29.679 There's ongoing conflict, and Paul says that hinders the gospel. 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:31.539 When people outside the watching world, 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.759 when they see us fighting, 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.840 when they see unresolved conflict, 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.000 and when that is impeding our worship, 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:38.939 that hinders the gospel. 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:41.519 So Paul says, therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:44.559 lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:46.379 That's to pray like this. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.720 It's the Iran's posture. 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:49.720 It's the way that Jews prayed. 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:52.379 The Christians inherited that practice from the Jews. 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:56.279 Then for the rest of the chapter, Paul addresses women. 00:12:57.480 --> 00:13:00.120 Now, why do women get so much attention? 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:04.399 Well, I think the answer is pretty obvious. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:09.840 Because simply having women in church alongside men 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:13.420 created massive confusion for everyone, 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.420 Jews and Greeks alike. 00:13:15.780 --> 00:13:17.100 For the Jewish converts, 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:20.980 they were used to women being segregated out during worship. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:24.360 And women were not allowed to study the Scripture. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:27.460 But that's happening in the church. 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:28.600 What do we do with that? 00:13:29.060 --> 00:13:30.820 For the former Artemis worshipers, 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:33.840 they were used to the women being the ones who were up front. 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:38.440 In Artemis worship, the women lead in every way. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:40.379 There were some male priests, 00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:43.360 but they often occupied subservient lesser roles. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.220 The primary spiritual leaders, 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:47.940 the people you would see up front leading in the rituals and services, 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:48.920 were the women. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:50.580 And so they come into the church, 00:13:50.660 --> 00:13:52.560 and it's a mostly male-led movement. 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:54.060 What do we do with that? 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:56.019 So everybody's looking at these women, 00:13:56.180 --> 00:13:58.560 and even the women themselves are not quite sure, 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:00.200 how is this supposed to work? 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:03.860 So you see a lot of attention being given in the New Testament letters 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:06.920 to women's conduct in the church. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:09.580 So they're trying to figure this out. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.180 And so, you know, imagine being Timothy. 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:15.840 Your job is to figure out how do we integrate women 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:18.620 from all of these diverse Jewish and pagan backgrounds 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:21.120 to worship together as one church family. 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.060 And it gets very practical. 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:25.640 The first thing he addresses is their attire. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:30.699 Apparently, women were dressing in ways that were causing problems. 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:31.559 What's the issue? 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:35.259 Well, they were wearing very elaborate hairstyles 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:37.439 and jewelry and things like that. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:40.939 And if we look at the culture of Ephesus, 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.720 we recognize that for women, 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.159 particularly high-status women, 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:48.600 the way they wore their hair and their attire 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:51.279 was a way of signaling wealth and status. 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:54.639 So wealthy, high-status women had multiple braids. 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.840 They had plated hair, 00:14:56.259 --> 00:15:00.519 often interwoven with gold threads and pearls and jeweled pins. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:03.080 And by the way, this is particularly true 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:06.319 among Artemis worshipers. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:09.580 They would decorate and adorn Artemis, 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:13.980 and the priestesses would dress in very elaborate ways 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:15.120 with elaborate hairstyles. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.819 And so this was strongly associated with that. 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:20.080 And so Paul is saying when you do that 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:21.439 and when you come into church like that, 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.519 you're hindering the gospel. 00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:23.939 It's causing distractions. 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:27.040 The church is a place where we don't assert status. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:30.240 The church is a place where we don't put our wealth on display. 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:31.660 Right? 00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:33.100 Leave the Rolex at home. 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.240 Right? 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:36.820 The church is the place where social hierarchies 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:38.080 are turned upside down. 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:40.560 The greatest among us are those who serve. 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:43.620 So dressing in ways that signal your superiority 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:46.280 is a denial of the gospel. 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.320 So he calls women, 00:15:47.640 --> 00:15:50.200 adorn yourselves with modesty and self-control 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:51.340 and good works. 00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:53.360 Don't hinder the gospel. 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:56.600 And then we come to the issues of behavior. 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.920 This brings us to the passage 00:15:57.920 --> 00:16:00.460 that has caused so much controversy. 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.700 Paul goes on to say, 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:04.860 a woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:07.060 I do not permit a woman to teach 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.720 or to assume authority over a man. 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:10.160 She must be quiet, 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.000 for Adam was formed first, 00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:12.660 then Eve, 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.340 and Adam was not the one deceived. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.660 It was the woman who was deceived 00:16:15.660 --> 00:16:16.580 and became a sinner. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:19.080 But women will be saved, 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.480 or depending on if you look at the Greek, 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.620 but she, woman, 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:24.080 woman or women, 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:26.379 but women will be saved through childbearing 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.820 if they continue in faith, 00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:30.060 love, and holiness with propriety. 00:16:30.900 --> 00:16:33.180 Now one way of reading this 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:36.259 is to see this as Paul laying down 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:38.040 a principle of male headship 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:40.980 that is rooted in the order of creation. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:43.720 Men are called to teach and lead in the church, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:47.000 and women are called to a posture of quiet submission. 00:16:47.680 --> 00:16:50.420 That is a well-established 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:54.040 and widely shared way of reading this text. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.240 In my opinion, 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:58.620 it does leave some questions unanswered. 00:16:59.060 --> 00:17:01.720 If women are truly meant to be quiet in the church, 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:03.420 how do we make sense of passages 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:05.319 like 1 Corinthians 11, 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.579 where Paul seems to assume 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:08.559 that women will be praying and prophesying 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.279 as part of public worship? 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.759 How do we make sense of the numerous women 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.019 named throughout the New Testament 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:17.059 who seem to occupy prominent leadership roles 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.079 in the church? 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.119 So as you might expect, 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.599 I do have a different take 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:23.539 on this part of the text. 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:24.819 For starters, 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:27.400 the word translated here in the NIV 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.980 as assume authority 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:31.480 is notoriously hard to translate. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:34.279 It is not the typical word 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.900 that Paul uses for authority, 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.900 which is exousia. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.720 It is the word authentine. 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:41.339 And depending on what version 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:42.859 of the Bible you have in your hand, 00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:44.319 it's going to be translated differently 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.899 with very different implications. 00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:48.859 So the NIV says assume authority. 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.799 The ESV and the NASB 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:54.339 translate it as exercise authority. 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:57.000 The Latin Vulgate and the New English Bible 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.679 translate it as domineer. 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:01.559 The Geneva Bible and the King James Bible 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:03.179 say usurp control. 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.539 So you can imagine 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:06.439 why there might be some disagreement 00:18:06.439 --> 00:18:08.439 because one person's looking at their Bible, 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.179 another person's looking at their Bible, 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.019 and you're going to go 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.660 in two very different directions 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.880 depending on the translation. 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:16.820 The confusion comes in part 00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:18.880 from the fact that this is the only time 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:21.200 this Greek word ever shows up 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:21.920 in the Bible. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.860 And the meaning of this word 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:26.920 seems to have changed over time. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.940 The same thing happens in English. 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:29.799 If you look at the way 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.940 certain words were used 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.060 two, three hundred years ago, 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:34.000 sometimes they almost mean the opposite 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.340 of what they mean today. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:37.240 And the meaning of this word 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.120 clearly shifted. 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:40.019 Prior to Paul, 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:41.559 it seems to have had 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:43.339 very negative connotations. 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:45.379 This word root was associated 00:18:45.379 --> 00:18:47.339 with murder and violence. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:50.779 Fast forward several hundred years 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:52.019 after Paul was writing 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.079 and it came to mean 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:54.919 simply another synonym 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:56.579 for exercising authority. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.399 It's very hard to know 00:18:58.399 --> 00:19:00.899 exactly what Paul had in mind 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:02.579 when he used this word 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.699 in the first century. 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.039 But what we do know 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.859 is that any time an author like Paul 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.899 uses a very unique word 00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:10.599 that is not the normal word he uses, 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.219 it seems to imply 00:19:12.219 --> 00:19:14.299 he has a unique situation in mind. 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:16.459 So some people think 00:19:16.459 --> 00:19:17.819 this is a general prohibition 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.740 against women teaching 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.159 or exercising any form 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:21.099 of authority in the church, 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.359 while other people think 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:24.000 that Paul is only forbidding women 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:26.079 from doing a certain kind of thing, 00:19:26.199 --> 00:19:27.839 namely teaching in a way 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:29.679 that asserts or presumes 00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:30.859 or usurps authority. 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.500 authority. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.059 What you think about that 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:35.299 is shaped in part 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.959 by how you read the next verse. 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:38.939 For Adam was formed first, 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.039 then Eve, 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:41.979 and Adam was not the one deceived, 00:19:42.219 --> 00:19:43.719 it was the woman who was deceived 00:19:43.719 --> 00:19:45.199 and became a sinner. 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:47.339 Again, is Paul referring 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.699 to a timeless principle 00:19:48.699 --> 00:19:49.559 rooted in creation 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.599 or something else? 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.699 And here is where I believe, 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.119 and I would submit to you, 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.559 that the influence 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.659 of the Artemis cult 00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:57.899 helps us understand 00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:00.040 what Paul may have in mind. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:04.019 The origin story of Artemis 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:06.320 was massively influential 00:20:06.320 --> 00:20:09.540 in the Ephesian culture. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.860 Historical evidence shows us 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:13.600 that her origin story, 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.259 her birth story, 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.340 was regularly celebrated 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:19.240 through feasts, sacrifices, 00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.920 festivals, contests, 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:23.100 music, acting, magic, 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:24.340 sacred games, 00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:25.960 and birthday processionals. 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.600 It was rehearsed again 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.779 and again and again. 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:31.179 As the story goes, 00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:32.759 Artemis was the daughter 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:34.099 of Zeus and Leto, 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.879 and her twin brother 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.859 was Apollo. 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.139 And when it came time 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:40.719 for the twins to be born, 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:43.099 Artemis was born first. 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:45.419 I told you that one of the five 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:46.439 most prominent titles 00:20:46.439 --> 00:20:47.459 for Artemis is 00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:48.579 she is first, 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.899 because she was born first. 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:53.079 It then took hours 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:55.099 for Apollo to be born. 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.419 It was an extremely 00:20:56.419 --> 00:21:00.319 arduous, painful birth experience 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.599 for her mother. 00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:03.240 And Artemis 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:05.699 had to help Apollo be born. 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:07.619 So she became the midwife 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:09.000 to help Apollo 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.939 come into the world 00:21:09.939 --> 00:21:11.439 and saw her mother suffer 00:21:11.439 --> 00:21:13.099 for hours and hours and hours. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.579 So, 00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:17.679 because she was born first 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:18.859 and because she was the one 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:20.419 who had to help Apollo come out, 00:21:20.899 --> 00:21:21.599 that meant, 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.699 in the mind of the 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.759 first century followers, 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:25.640 that she was the stronger one. 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:27.059 So she's first 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.160 and she's stronger. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:28.840 Therefore, 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:31.140 this justified the fact 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.279 that the Artemis cult 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:34.559 was led entirely by women, 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:36.120 because women were seen 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:37.620 as being spiritually superior, 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:40.000 as Artemis was. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:40.740 So, 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:43.080 women lead in the temple 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:44.779 because Artemis was born first 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.840 and then Apollo. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.640 And because this birth experience 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.759 was so awful, 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:52.160 the myth goes 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.400 that Artemis never wanted 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.460 children of her own. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.200 She essentially said, 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.339 well, 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.160 I don't ever want to have 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.879 to go through that. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:59.079 And so she refused to marry, 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.339 she remains a virgin goddess, 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.160 and then she demands 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.039 that her followers 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.859 do the same. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:06.099 So serious women 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.420 who follow Artemis 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:09.559 would also renounce marriage 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:11.779 and abstain from having children. 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:13.420 By the way, 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.640 later in 1 Timothy, 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.180 Paul refers 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.640 and actually devotes 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.800 a large section 00:22:18.800 --> 00:22:19.600 of his letter 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:21.000 in 1 Timothy 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.900 to women 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:23.200 who have been led astray 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.280 by the teaching of demons 00:22:24.280 --> 00:22:25.600 and have therefore 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:27.000 refused to get married. 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:28.840 He's like, 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.660 we have all these women 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.259 who have refused 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.840 to get married. 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:32.259 And then he has to give 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.240 extensive instructions 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.960 on how to deal 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.580 with the apparently 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.420 large number 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.300 of unmarried women. 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.100 And it's not just 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:38.100 older unmarried women, 00:22:38.520 --> 00:22:39.960 it's younger unmarried women. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.020 And he's like, 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:42.180 how do we deal 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:42.800 with all of these 00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:44.060 young unmarried widows? 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.220 He has to address that. 00:22:45.300 --> 00:22:46.120 I think this is probably 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:46.599 the reason. 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.099 Also, 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.879 as a result 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:50.019 of the birth experience, 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.179 Artemis became 00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:52.759 the goddess 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.639 of midwifery. 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.959 So women 00:22:55.959 --> 00:22:57.000 who got pregnant 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.819 and they were approaching 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.279 their delivery date, 00:22:59.679 --> 00:23:00.479 they would pray 00:23:00.479 --> 00:23:01.179 to Artemis. 00:23:01.479 --> 00:23:02.079 They would go 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.379 and they would buy spells. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.619 They would buy charms 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:07.479 blessed by Artemis. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.099 And these were charms 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.659 and spells 00:23:09.659 --> 00:23:10.500 of protection. 00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:11.500 And what were they 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.039 praying for? 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:12.839 They were praying 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.959 that Artemis, 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.859 that God, 00:23:15.199 --> 00:23:16.839 would save them 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.759 through childbearing, 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.959 deliver them safely 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.839 through childbearing. 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:21.059 Right? 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:22.899 And so they were used to, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.379 culturally, 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.399 women were used 00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.699 to trusting in Artemis 00:23:25.699 --> 00:23:26.899 to deliver them safely 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:27.699 through childbearing. 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:29.419 So imagine you are 00:23:29.419 --> 00:23:30.099 a young woman, 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.019 you have come out 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.740 of the cult you grew up in 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.579 of Artemis worship, 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.519 you are getting to know 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:37.039 this new sect 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:39.000 called Christianity, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.519 the followers of the way, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.240 you're learning 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.640 what it means 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.460 to follow Jesus, 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.400 you're going to church 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:45.519 and your delivery date 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.579 is fast approaching. 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.299 And you're terrified 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.960 of a situation 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:52.259 like a breech child, 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:52.519 right? 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.480 C-sections wouldn't 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.920 be invented 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:55.559 for another 1,500 years 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.059 or so. 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:57.839 So you're terrified 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:59.339 that if anything goes wrong, 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.000 you could be in 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.000 for a long, slow, 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:02.140 horrible, painful death. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.740 Childbirth was no joke, 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.740 it's no joke now, 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.299 it was definitely 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.039 no joke then. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:08.079 And so you're trying 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.579 to figure out 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.319 who do I trust, 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.319 who do I rely on? 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.339 You know that Artemis 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.359 is easily offended, 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.500 you know that Artemis 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.319 is vindictive, 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.480 you know that Artemis 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.220 with her arrows 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.559 is just as likely 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.059 to euthanize you 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.200 during childbirth 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:23.439 as she is to save you 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.439 through childbirth. 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.379 And you do not want 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.119 to get on Artemis' 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.859 bad side. 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.139 And you go to your pastor 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:28.779 and you say, 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:29.559 what do I do? 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.299 Because I'm really afraid 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.799 that Artemis 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.759 will get revenge on me 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.859 if I don't trust her 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.339 like I did 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.279 with my first two children. 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.720 What do I do 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.880 now that I follow Jesus? 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.380 Right? 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.880 This would have been 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:42.100 a very real scenario 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:43.579 that people had to navigate. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.299 So here's the way 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.400 I believe we are meant 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.360 to read this passage. 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.200 And I offer this 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.079 knowing that there are 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.079 some people who disagree 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.980 with humility 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.120 and respect for you. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.860 As we said already, 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:55.019 apparently the presence 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.000 of women caused 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.900 a lot of disruption. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.480 The Jews would have 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.019 been put off 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.000 by the fact that the women 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.120 are sitting right next to them 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:02.339 and that they're studying 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.600 the word alongside them. 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.420 The former Artemis 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.339 worshipers and Greeks 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.659 would probably have been 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.699 confused about the fact 00:25:08.699 --> 00:25:09.959 that women weren't up front 00:25:09.959 --> 00:25:10.759 leading. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:13.240 Why is this movement 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.500 largely led by men? 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.019 And there may even 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.619 have been women 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.939 who came from the Artemis cult 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:19.919 who had previously served 00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.720 as priestesses. 00:25:21.199 --> 00:25:21.980 And they assumed 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:23.359 that in this religious context 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.500 they would be welcomed 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.119 to go up front and lead. 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.879 So Paul is having 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:29.079 to address this very 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:30.579 mixed audience. 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.679 And so he says this, 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.919 and I'm paraphrasing, 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:36.140 you should let, 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.039 and in fact if you want 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.720 to translate it, 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:39.200 the best translation is 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.320 I am not permitting. 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.240 Right? 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.940 So we'll get there. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.880 He says first of all, 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.200 let women learn, 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.259 let women learn God's word 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.460 and when women learn 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:48.980 God's word 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.140 they should do so quietly 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.660 with a posture of submission 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.440 to God's word. 00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:54.480 So he's saying to the Jews, 00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:56.720 no, let women learn. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.880 And when they do it 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.320 they should do it 00:25:58.320 --> 00:25:59.860 with a posture of quietness 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:00.759 and they should submit 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.480 themselves fully 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.220 to what they're learning. 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.940 But then he says essentially this, 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.539 but hey, 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:06.000 just because I'm allowing women 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.860 to study scripture 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:08.100 don't assume 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:09.700 I'm not necessarily permitting 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:13.120 or I'm not necessarily allowing 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:14.240 women to teach in ways 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.220 that assume authority 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.339 simply because they're women. 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.339 So now he has 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.339 the Greeks in mind. 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:18.759 He's saying, 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.460 yes the women are here learning 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:22.600 but that doesn't necessarily mean 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.380 that we're putting them 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:24.839 up front right away. 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.720 Because, 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.600 he goes on to say, 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.059 unlike the origin story 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.680 of Artemis being born first, 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:32.240 in the Christian origin story, 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.259 let me remind you, 00:26:33.560 --> 00:26:34.900 Adam was created first, 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:35.860 not Eve. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.400 And let me remind you again, 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.539 Eve was the one 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.140 who was deceived. 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.240 So don't assume 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.400 that women should be up front 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.600 just because they're women. 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.980 Women are not necessarily 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:45.100 more qualified to lead 00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:46.259 simply because they're women. 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.259 Their posture, 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.440 because they're new to this faith, 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.700 should be one of quietness 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:51.340 and submitting themselves 00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:52.820 and learning God's word. 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.600 Because that's one thing 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.400 that all of these women 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:55.019 had in common. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.920 The Jewish women 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:57.140 and the Greek converts, 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:59.000 all of them were, 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.380 for the first time ever, 00:27:00.560 --> 00:27:02.020 being allowed to study God's word. 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.020 So most of them 00:27:03.020 --> 00:27:03.860 were unlearned 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.700 and most of them 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.800 needed to devote themselves 00:27:05.800 --> 00:27:07.060 to learning God's word 00:27:07.060 --> 00:27:08.340 before you could even 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.220 answer the question 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.259 of whether or not 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.259 they should lead. 00:27:11.780 --> 00:27:12.520 And so their posture 00:27:12.520 --> 00:27:13.240 needs to be one 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.380 of submitting themselves 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.380 to the word. 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.080 And yet, 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.700 I believe Paul goes on to say, 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.560 he says, 00:27:18.780 --> 00:27:19.460 Eve was the one 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.080 who was deceived, 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.300 but I believe he goes on to say, 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.660 but let us not remember, 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:24.560 or let us not only remember Eve 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:25.540 for the sin. 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:28.079 Eve's legacy is not limited 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:30.059 to her role in the fall. 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:30.980 She, 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.460 through all the women 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.379 descended from her, 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.980 also participates 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.519 in the redemption 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.159 of the world 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:37.180 through the gift 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.960 of childbirth, 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:39.480 which is an allusion, 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.180 I believe, 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:42.359 to the ultimate child 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:43.079 who was born. 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:44.740 Paul is alluding to 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.960 the means through which 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.379 God brings salvation 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:48.139 to the world, 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.299 namely the birth 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.159 of Jesus Christ 00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.279 into the world 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.159 to save it. 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:53.139 Once again, 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.180 reminding us 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:56.019 that God in every way 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:58.140 is superior to Artemis. 00:27:58.340 --> 00:27:59.120 You no longer 00:27:59.120 --> 00:28:00.000 have to rely 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.940 on Artemis 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.799 to save you 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.460 or deliver you 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.380 through childbearing. 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:04.960 We worship a God 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.500 who is able 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.640 to bring about salvation 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.720 for the whole world 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:09.019 through childbirth. 00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:09.980 He alone 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.560 is worthy 00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:11.360 of our trust. 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.200 He alone 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.779 is worthy 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.779 of our worship. 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.380 As I said before, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.519 if you want 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.220 to ask questions 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:18.880 or go deeper, 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.560 come to the adult ed class 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.200 next week 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.559 at 9 a.m., 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.659 I do believe 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.259 that regardless 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.079 of how we read 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.899 this last section, 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.619 there are overarching themes 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.960 that do apply 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.960 to all of us. 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:32.359 So let me ask us all 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:33.440 to reflect on this. 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.700 Are we committed 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.839 and passionate 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:39.200 about the spread 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.659 of the gospel? 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.799 Are we passionate 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:43.319 to see the gospel 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:44.359 go to all people? 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:46.319 Are we committed 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:47.019 and passionate 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:48.099 about living lives 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:49.240 that glorify 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.359 and lift up 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.299 the name of Christ 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:53.000 above all other gods? 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.659 I think that's 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.599 the ultimate point 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.679 of this chapter. 00:28:56.439 --> 00:28:57.240 So let me ask you this. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.079 Do you, 00:28:59.419 --> 00:29:00.039 do we, 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:02.019 pray for all people 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.859 to come to know Jesus? 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.500 Do you spend time 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.139 in your day, 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.199 do you spend time 00:29:07.199 --> 00:29:07.819 on your own 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:09.419 praying for all 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:10.399 the people you know 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.039 in your life 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.179 who don't know Christ, 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.119 praying that they 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:14.000 would come to know Christ? 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:16.240 Pray for all people. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.759 And then we should 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.859 constantly be asking 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.779 ourselves this question. 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.799 Do we hinder 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.900 the spread of the gospel 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:23.559 in how we live, 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.859 in how we treat 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.299 one another? 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.099 You know, 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.880 when people outside 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.480 the church 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:31.299 are looking at the church, 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.940 our behavior, 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.160 our conduct, 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:36.120 the way we love 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:37.059 or fail to love 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.620 one another 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:38.839 is probably 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.759 the most powerful 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.539 apologetic 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.859 for the truth 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.480 of the gospel 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:44.059 that people see. 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:45.639 So when people 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.579 around us 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.619 and people 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:48.639 in the broader culture 00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:51.019 are only willing 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.899 to be friends 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:53.599 with those who disagree, 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.919 with those who agree 00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:55.759 with them politically 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.460 and they're only willing 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.079 to associate 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.659 with people 00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.419 who agree with them 00:29:59.419 --> 00:29:59.879 politically, 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:02.279 when that's the reality 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.940 in the world, 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:05.579 but then when those people 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.419 look into the church 00:30:06.419 --> 00:30:07.079 and they see that 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:08.000 in the church community, 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.379 we're the kind of people 00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:11.059 who build strong bonds 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.759 of friendship 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.579 and love 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.319 and service 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.379 that transcend 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.500 political division. 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:17.039 When people see that, 00:30:17.939 --> 00:30:19.519 we are holding Christ up 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.679 as superior 00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:23.599 to the political God 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.279 that is worshipped 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.579 in so many other temples 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.279 in the city. 00:30:28.439 --> 00:30:30.799 Whatever the 21st century 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:33.359 equivalent of Artemis may be, 00:30:34.419 --> 00:30:34.659 right, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.579 that's one example. 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.980 When we are doing that, 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.519 people say, 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.539 there's something out there 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.319 more important 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:41.000 than my political affiliation. 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.720 There's something 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.880 that creates a foundation 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.779 for a relationship 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.759 that is deeper 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.539 and stronger 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:47.680 than our political affiliation. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.240 They're seeing 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.640 there's a superior God 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:49.940 out there. 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.940 There's a superior way 00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.819 to order our lives. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:55.319 When other people 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.339 want to make more money 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.640 so that they can spend 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.180 more money 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.279 so that they can get 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.440 nicer and nicer things, 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.400 and that's the motivation 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.940 for all that they do, 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:03.819 and then they look 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.860 into the Christian community 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.980 and they see Christians 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:07.700 equally ambitious, 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:09.259 striving to earn more money 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.359 so that they can give 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.279 more money away, 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:14.799 you're seeing something else 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.720 put on display there, 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.759 right? 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.700 The watching world 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:20.440 is seeing a different ethic, 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.640 a different relationship 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.140 to money. 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:23.140 Like our gospel reading 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.259 said this morning, 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.039 you cannot worship 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.960 both God and wealth, 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.480 and they're seeing 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.920 these are people 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:30.980 who don't worship wealth. 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:31.980 These are people 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:33.200 who worship something greater, 00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:33.940 something better, 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.740 something truer, 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.259 something more beautiful. 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:38.000 They have a God 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:40.000 that is far greater 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:41.000 than the God 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.720 I've been worshiping, 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:41.920 right? 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.480 This, I believe, 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.960 is the central concern here. 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.160 And you know, 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:46.940 there may be 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:48.259 some theological issues 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.079 that good, 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:51.000 Bible-believing, 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.299 faithful Christians 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.099 disagree on. 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.500 There may be 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.440 some issues like that, 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.319 and that is frustrating. 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.220 Frankly, 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:58.319 I think some of these issues 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:59.619 may not be fully resolved 00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:00.920 until Jesus comes again. 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.900 But I believe 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.400 that the way 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.619 we love one another, 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.759 I believe the way 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.799 that we treat one another 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.920 across those lines 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:09.099 of disagreement, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.779 I believe that 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.859 that is a powerful 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:12.900 apologetic for the gospel, 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:14.799 arguably even more so 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:16.940 than our ability 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.700 to agree 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.119 on every doctrinal issue. 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:21.480 And praise be 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.339 to the Lord Jesus, 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.000 when it comes 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.660 to disagreement, 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:25.779 the gospel 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:27.579 is not an issue 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.599 we disagree on. 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.940 So because of the gospel, 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:31.599 right, 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.940 because we agree on that, 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:33.799 right, 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.740 regardless of what side 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:37.480 of the various issues 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.440 you occupy. 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:40.500 Our primary commitment, 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.759 our primary commitment 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.759 is to love one another 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.559 and treat one another 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.740 with mutual respects. 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.720 And I say that to people 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:47.140 on every side 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:48.099 of the issue. 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.839 And I will say 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:50.039 what I've already said, 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:51.160 I'll say it one more time. 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:53.720 I have changed my position 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:55.200 on this particular issue. 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.140 One of the things 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.940 I most hate 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.960 is when a person 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.940 changes their mind 00:32:58.940 --> 00:32:59.720 and then immediately 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.839 proceeds to denigrate 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.839 those who hold 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:03.200 to the prior position. 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:05.700 I will not tolerate that 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:06.480 for the sake 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:06.960 of the gospel. 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.819 So if there's ever 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.640 a hint of that 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:10.480 in anything I say 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:10.759 or do, 00:33:10.840 --> 00:33:11.799 I want you to let me know. 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:13.160 And if there's ever 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.019 a hint of that 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:15.100 anywhere in our community, 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:17.259 we need to put an end to it. 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.860 Because our primary concern 00:33:18.860 --> 00:33:19.660 is that we don't 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.500 hinder the gospel. 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.860 It is that when people 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:23.779 see the way we 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.799 love one another 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.860 and serve one another 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:27.220 and they see the unity 00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:28.519 in our community, 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:30.240 it compels them to ask, 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.920 what makes all 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:31.640 this possible? 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.560 And the answer 00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:33.320 is the gospel, 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.740 which we believe 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:36.420 is the best possible news 00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.880 meant for all people. 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:39.279 So let us pray 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:41.940 and live in ways 00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:42.640 that make that happen. 00:33:44.060 --> 00:33:44.720 Let's pray. 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.600 Our Lord in heaven, 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.340 we thank you. 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:49.740 We praise you. 00:33:50.120 --> 00:33:51.279 We lift your name 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:51.980 on high. 00:33:52.320 --> 00:33:53.420 And we pray 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:54.279 that in everything 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.259 we pray 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.460 and everything we do, 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:58.000 Lord, we pray 00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:59.380 that your gospel 00:33:59.380 --> 00:34:00.200 would go forth. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.340 Lord, we pray 00:34:01.340 --> 00:34:02.400 that the hope of Jesus, 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:04.240 that the name of Christ 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:06.000 would be exalted 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.980 above every other name. 00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:07.600 And we know 00:34:07.600 --> 00:34:08.440 that that will happen, 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.019 that one day 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.179 this city will be known. 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:12.400 One day this city 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.139 will be known 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:15.820 as part of the New Jerusalem 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:17.179 where your name 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:18.659 is lifted above 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.340 every other name, 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.119 where you are 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.980 the source of light 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.539 and life, 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:23.240 Lord, and you alone. 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.599 And until that day, 00:34:24.679 --> 00:34:26.280 Lord, may we be 00:34:26.280 --> 00:34:27.119 faithful witnesses 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.619 of your gospel. 00:34:29.299 --> 00:34:30.000 And we pray this 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.980 in Jesus' holy name. 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.440 Amen.