The Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy, Titus) Gender Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter: Verse)

Quote #1

I desire […] that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. (1 Timothy 2:8-12, NRSV)

I will therefore […] that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:8-12, KJV)

The Pastor starts right off the bat with lots of rules for the ladies. No fancy clothes! No teaching! Shut your yaps, girls! This passage went on to cause no problems whatsoever for women in the church. (Yeah, it's opposite day.)

Quote #2

Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty. (1 Timothy 2:13-15, NRSV)

For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (1 Timothy 2:13-15, KJV)

The Pastor justifies his separate and unequal rules with some interesting biblical interpretation. Man was created first, so that means he must be better. (Or else God was trying out a rough draft?) Also, Eve's the one who brought down humanity through her disobedience. Poor Adam just wanted some lunch. Well, that's one way of reading it.

Quote #3

The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task […] He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way—for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? (1 Timothy 3:1, 4-5, NRSV)

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (1 Timothy 3:1, 4-5, KJV)

Apparently, leadership begins at home. If the man can't be the king of his own castle, how's he gonna manage a church? This just reinforces a man's proper place according to the Pastor: at the head of his family and the head of the community. Ladies, just keep sitting there meekly in the corner.