Jesus repeatedly accused the Scribes and Pharisees of hypocrisy (Matt. 23:1-36; Mark 12:37b-40; Luke 20:45-47; cf. John 13:4-5, 12-17). The Greek word hupokrisis refers to a pretentious play-actor, i.e., one who attempts to create a public impression that is at odds with their real purpose and motivation. The Scribes and Pharisees are denounced for their spirit of prideful prerogative, as evidenced by their religious garb (phylacteries, tassels) and their religious titles (Rabbi, Father, Leader). They debased the work of service (forgetting the definition of true greatness), of instruction (refusing the truth themselves and shutting off kingdom access for others), and of benevolence (robbing widow’s houses and offering pretentious prayers). They despoiled their personal integrity (affirming that an oath by the temple or the altar is worthless, while an oath by the gold of the temple or the offering on the altar is obligatory). They degraded the concept of obedience (straining the gnat, but swallowing the camel; paying tithes of the smallest garden herbs [which they should have done], while neglecting the weightier matters of the law [which they should not have done]). They were deceitful and duplicitous (focusing exclusively on outward appearance rather than inward reality, forgetting that God sees and judges both). They were self-deluded (saying, if we had lived in older days, we would not have persecuted the prophets; when in reality they would commit the crime of the ages, by crucifying the very Son of God).

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“Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says”
(1 Corinthians 14:34).

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere. . .Let women learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression”
(1 Timothy 2:8, 11-14).

The clarity of the Bible is unambiguous regarding God’s will. The role for man primarily involves “headship” while the role of woman involves “submission” (compare Ephesians 5:22-33). This is not a matter of one’s personal opinion, but rather simply a matter of what is written. The question is: “Are you ready to accept the role that God has written for you?” Obviously, the above passages forbid a woman to teach in certain circumstances. Women are commanded to be “teachers of good things” (Titus 2:3). We even see an example in the Bible where a woman with her husband corrected a preacher (Acts 18:26). So then, women can teach and can even teach men, but 1 Timothy 2:12 forbids her to “teach or to have authority OVER a man.” Her teaching and authority are not to be “over” a man. Preachers regularly stand up and preach with “authority” over others (Titus 2:14); however, this is not to be a woman’s role. If you are a member of a congregation who has women standing “over” men teaching and preaching, you are a member of something that the Bible condemns?

Allow me to clarify some things. It is not a matter of talent, for some women are much better communicators than some men. Neither is it a matter of inferiority seeing that men and women are both created in the image of God and neither are independent from each other (Genesis 1:27; 1 Cor. 11:11). It is simply a matter of roles that Deity has given and also practices. “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3). When the inspired apostle writes of the roles for men and women, he appeals to the model of the Godhead along with that of creation, showing Adam was formed first then woman and that woman was deceived by the serpent.

Likewise, the three persons of the Godhead have distinct roles too. We see from the above passage that God (the Father) is head of Christ. The Holy Spirit is also subjective to Jesus (John 15:26; 16:13-15). The Father's role was legislative; the Son's role was executive; the Holy Spirit's role is primarily of revelation (John 14:31; 16:13).

Men and women, together, can relate to Jesus in that as He is head of the church, so the husband is to be toward his wife, and as He submits to the Father, so the women to the man. Ironically, while women preachers are trying to teach the world the Word, they stand with the world in violation to the Word.

Has God Said, "Thou shall not rule over a man"?
Has God Said, "Thou shall not have women preachers"?

"The Pillar And Ground Of The Truth"(1 Timothy 3:15)
1312 E. Edison Ave., Sunnyside, WA 98944

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The apostle Paul said, “but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9). Jude tells us “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). This article shall examine the fact that there is a proper and improper time to contend and dispute with others.

Vain Disputing
The word “vain” means “useless”. Indeed, it is a waste of time to dispute with someone over issues that have nothing to do with our salvation. Such disputing can be sinful and encourage human reasoning. To dispute with a brother over whether or not he eats meats, is circumcised, or sets one day over another is indeed a useless endeavor. To argue with one over such issues in some cases may “destroy one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15). Paul told Timothy to “refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness” (I Timothy 4:7). To “refuse” (paraitou) is “to shun and avoid” (Thayer 432). “To avert (turn away), deprecate (disprove of)” (LS 597). “Paul’s advice is sound psychology. People who are fanatical in regard to some silly religious matter desire nothing more than to have you argue with them. To do so is to leave the wrong impression as though the matter is worth discussion and argument. That encourages their folly; they think they really have something. For that very reason they will cling to their infatuation more obstinately than ever when one makes the mistake of treating them seriously. The thing to do is refuse, disdain to be bothered by them” (Lenski 630).Disputing, therefore, can be sinful when encouraging foolishness or arguing with one over matters that have nothing to do with our salvation.

A proper time for disputing
When “the faith” (doctrine of Jesus Christ) is involved we can in no way compromise nor tolerate one who would argue against it. Truth must be contended for (cf. Jude 3). As W.W. Otey once said, “I shall spare the man but not his teaching.” When the Judaizing teachers of the NT pressed their false doctrines on Paul and Titus regarding circumcision, Paul said, “we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour” (Galatians 2:5).

Ever learning and never coming to truth (II Timothy 3:7)
Some brethren are ever learning yet continue to twist scriptures. Some will agree that the doctrine of Christ must be contended for yet insert their ipse dixi into the equation. They tell us that “it is ok to have disputes over doctrinal issues and remain in fellowship with each other because Paul and Barnabas did so” (cf. Acts 15:39). Such an argument may fool our children yet serious Bible students know that Paul and Barnabas were not arguing over a Biblical doctrine. Paul and Barnabas argued over whether or not to take John Mark on the second tour of preaching. Paul didn’t want John Mark to go because he had quit on Paul and Barnabas during the first tour of preaching. What does any of this have to do with contending for the faith? Nothing; however, if one who seeks peace and ecumenism at any price can convince us that Paul and Barnabas argued over doctrinal matters, had differences, even separated their ways yet remained in fellowship then he can effectively justify his doctrinal differences with us. Who can believe it? There is a time to contend and a time to refrain from contending. The Bible alone instructs us that the time for such contentions occurs when doctrine is at stake.

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Created by Chuck Sibbing.  10/30/2011