Day 348: 1 Timothy 4, 5 and 6

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1Timothy 4:4).

Certain religious groups have determined that unless Scripture explicitly approves something, then it must be forbidden. The most common example of this involves the use of musical instruments in worship. Because there is no explicit example of instrumental music in New Testament churches, they deny its use as well. They’re okay for home but not for church. Other groups, and probably the majority of present day Christians take the opposite approach. Since there is no explicit prohibition to using instruments in worship, they see no harm enjoying them in church.

Paul is not writing about musical instruments in this passage, but about those who have prohibited marriage and certain foods. Paul says, Wait a minute! The glass is half full, not half empty. Everything God created is good. Enjoy it, and be thankful to God for the happiness it brings.

But Satan can pervert anything. Enjoying tasty food is good; gluttony is bad. Sexual desire is good within the bonds of marriage, but translated into lust and exploitation, it hurts everyone it touches. Making a living and providing for one’s family is appropriate; transforming a God-given gift to provide into a miserly appetite to possess more and more while others go without; that’s just selfish.

God has made these things clean, so don’t call them unholy! (NCV, Acts 10:15).

TODAY’S MEDITATION

What are you enjoying for which you need to say, “Thank you”?

Day 347: 1 Timothy 1, 2 and 3

I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet (1Timothy 2:12).

This verse has been cited by many as an excuse to limit the ministerial role of women in the church. This is a misapplication of the biblical testimony as a whole, elevating one contested statement from Paul over and against the clear teaching of Jesus. In his teaching on divorce (Mark 10:2-12), Jesus corrects the rabbinical patriarchal tradition by citing God’s original plan for marriage (Genesis 2:24) as having priority over Moses’ instruction in Deuteronomy 24:1 [7]. A convincing argument can be made that hierarchical divisions between male and female resulted from the fall, and were not God’s original intention.

Regarding the 1 Timothy passage, it is interesting to note that when Paul wrote this he was well aware and readily accepted the fact that women were exercising authority in other churches [8]. One point that may alleviate the confusion on this passage is how the Greek authentein (authority) is translated. It has been translated by some as “domineer,” or “act on his/her own authority” [9]. If this is correct, Paul is speaking against women in authority only if administered in the wrong way [10].

Gilbert Bilezikian reminds us that authentein is found nowhere else in Scripture, so we don’t really know exactly what Paul meant [11]. It is irresponsible to build a theology or polity on one disputed text.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Reflect on the women who have faithfully ministered the gospel to you. Give thanks for them and, if possible, to them.

Day 348: 1 Timothy 4, 5 and 6

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. (1 Timothy 4:4)

Certain religious groups have determined that unless Scripture explicitly approves something, then it must be forbidden. The most common example of this involves the use of musical instruments in worship. Because there is no explicit example of instrumental music in New Testament churches, they deny its use as well. They're okay for home but not for church. Other groups, and probably the majority of present day Christians, take the opposite approach. Since there is no explicit prohibition to using instruments in worship, they see no harm enjoying them in church.

Paul is not writing about musical instruments in this passage, but about those who have prohibited marriage and certain foods. Paul says, Wait a minute! The glass is half full, not half empty. Everything God created is good. Enjoy it, and be thankful to God for the happiness it brings.

But Satan can pervert anything. Enjoying tasty food is good; gluttony is bad. Sexual desire is good within the bonds of marriage, but translated into lust and exploitation, it hurts everyone it touches. Making a living and providing for one's family is appropriate; transforming a God-given gift to provide into a miserly appetite to possess more and more while others go without; that's just selfish.

God has made these things clean, so don't call them unholy! (NCV, Acts 10:15)

What are you enjoying for which you need to say, "Thank you"?

Day 347: 1 Timothy 1, 2 and 3

I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. (1 Timothy 2:12)

This verse has been cited by many as an excuse to limit the ministerial role of women in the church. This is a misapplication of the biblical testimony as a whole, elevating one contested statement from Paul over and against the clear teaching of Jesus. In his teaching on divorce (Mark 10:2-12), Jesus corrects the rabbinical patriarchal tradition by citing God's original plan for marriage (Genesis 2:24) as having priority over Moses' instruction in Deuteronomy 24:1. [1] A convincing argument can be made that hierarchical divisions between male and female resulted from the fall, and were not God's original intention.

Regarding the 1 Timothy passage, it is interesting to note that when Paul wrote this he was well aware and readily accepted the fact that women were exercising authority in other churches. [2] One point that may alleviate the confusion on this passage is how the Greek authentein (authority) is translated. It has been translated by some as "domineer" or "act on his/her own authority." If this is correct, Paul is speaking against women in authority only if administered in the wrong way. [3]

Gilbert Bilezikian reminds us that authentein is found nowhere else in Scripture, so we don't really know what Paul meant. [4] It is irresponsible to build a theology or polity on one disputed text.

Can you reflect on the women who have faithfully ministered the gospel to you?

[1] Christoph, James. Equal Access to Grace in Ministry. (Lake Wales, FL: Warner University, 1989), 3.

[2] Christoph, James. Notes on Women and Women in Ministry. (Lake Wales, FL: Warner University, 1988), 15.

[3] Ibid., 17.

[4] Bilezikian, Gilbert. Christianity 101. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993), 20.