What Did Paul Mean by ‘I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach’? | Don Carson and Tim Keller | TGC Q&A

In this episode of TGC Q&A, Tim Keller and Don Carson address the question, “What did Paul mean by ‘I do not permit a woman to teach?’” They discuss:

0:00 What Paul actually forbids
2:21 The debate over whether he forbids one thing or two
3:43 Imperial ignorance—it can’t be known
4:15 Transcultural exhortation

Explore more from TGC on this topic:

[andyboreland]

A lot of people in the comments here already saying that Keller and Carson didn't answer the question. In case you didn't catch it, they both conclude that 'having authority' means taking a leadership role through preaching, that this command is not exclusive to that time/place because its linked to creation, and that the passage is plain in what it means - and that's that there is a restriction on women preaching and having authority.

[sidripster]

In other words, the scriptures mean what it says. Brilliant

[denisethomson]

God's word must not be changed to be politically correct.
I'm a woman and know what work God has blessed me with and that is a helper for my husband and build our foundation .
Pastors and ministers must stop appeasing hurt feelings.

[misquoted]

The way that I have heard this theme of men and women is equal in the eyes of God, equally loved and equally important to the Kingdom but they have different roles.

[morganfrmn]

I always think it's amusing when someone says "what did they really say". Seems a very clear statement by Paul

[Matthew.._]

He means exactly what He says. A woman cannot pastor a church not shepherd a flock. Stop trying to go around Gods word.

[paulcummings]

funny how this only offends those who have no problem with women teaching/preaching the majority of Sunday schools in the American church and also teaching foreigners in the mission field. No one is getting up in arms about the woman preaching and teaching every week in the sub-saharan church plant...because they're thankful that "somebody" other than them is doing it. Secondly, ever notice how nobody wants to call out the black church in America on this? Where women pastors are the norm.... Thirdly...it's not a sin on the level of a morally restricted behavior...its an area of differentiation just like baptism, communion, eschatology and cessation/continuation...so to equate it with sin is not to understand the nature of law in the Bible.

[davyboone]

Wait I know this one... Could it mean exactly what it says? Nah' God wouldn't dare offend our modern sensibilities.. or would he?

[hankgonzales]

Thank you for what I already believed. So men of God, please fulfill our role as men, so our wives don’t have to compensate for where we lack!

[samono]

This verse and a few more has opened my eyes to realize the depravity of our humanity. Because even as scripture-believing Christians, once or when a verse does not appeal to or with our sentiments and emotions, we have the tendency to create a narrative that interprets it to suit our sentiments and emotions. It is indeed a bruise in the ego and emotions to say "woman cannot teach", but it is what it is, GOD can NOT be questioned about HIS order of and in creation, in heaven or here on earth, but our emotions and sentiments as humans have a way of leading us into a path of rebellion, when we don't like what we are hearing. We turn into Social Justice warriors and philosophers in the face of a very clear, precise and unambiguous scriptural order. May GOD give us a heart of humility and obedience. Amen.

[paulchristianjenkinsj.d.]

"A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 3:12-13.

* Notice the masculine pronouns. However, this leads to a CONTRADICTION. Observe:

"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me." Romans 16:1-2.

[LaurentMark]

But they don't answer anything in this video?

[nickhill]

Growing up I had some great Sunday school teachers and teachers at school who were female.
When Jesus rose from the tomb who did he tell to go spread the word he rose .
The Bible says a female should be submissive.
Does anyone really know a female who is truly submissive?
Everyone I know is very quick to give their opinions and say how things should be done and I don't see anything wrong with that.
The choir director at our church happens to be female and if it wasn't for her we wouldn't hear some great gospel hymns on Sunday morning.
Times have changed and people don't have problems with that.
I don't have any problems with it.
When the church has dinner it's the ladies who make the meals.
If it wasn't for the ladies most churches would have a very hard time.

[mwalker]

The Holy Spirit (through Paul) meant exactly what he said.

[theDrewzy]

Would it be so wrong to simply conclude that it means what it says? 🤔

[magrethgama]

I agree with your response and I am a woman. GOD'S way is THE WAY

[billyf]

If you go back to creation then eve being necessary to complete Adam/the image of God in creation it does seem as if excluding women from the majority of meaningful contributions in Christian gatherings is at odds with that. And argument for the specific and contextual reason could be the fact that Paul gives parameters for women prophesying in Corinthians. So, what he is excluding cannot be all women to be silent and not teach Gods word for all time.

[vstefe]

If it’s true that woman are not allowed to teach I can’t wait to have a first row seat to hear Jesus judge all the men who refused to teach Sunday school and the formation of spiritual minds of children and youth was left up to the woman. 25 years of children /youth ministry and I can count the men involved on one hand.

[stephenland]

"What Did Paul Mean by ‘I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach’?"
- He meant exactly what he said. Women are not to teach. Full stop.
If he meant something else, he would have said something else.

[jeffjvd]

Next time get voddie baucham on to speak on this. You'll save so much time.