Scripture to Read: 1 Timothy 2:11
God has always placed a specific order of leadership in every area of our lives. We will look at several Scriptures over the next few days to better understand what God’s system of authority looks like in His Word. If we only read 1 Timothy 2:11 by itself, it sounds as if God is telling all women that they must remain quiet and receive instruction. But, when we examine 1 Corinthians 11:3, we read, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” So, God, existing as Three (Father, Son, Spirit) but still being just One God has a line of authority even in the Godhead. Christ is subject to God the Father, even though they are equal and are One. God the Father, as part of the Godhead, has the final word. God has placed the husband as the head of the family (Ephesians 5:25-33) and, therefore, the head of the wife. When God led Paul to write 1 Timothy, women sat on one side of the church and men sat on the other. It was disrespectful for a woman to call out to her husband to ask a question in the middle of a sermon. Men had the right to call out to the preacher, but women were to wait and ask their husbands questions once they returned home as a sign of respect for their husbands’ authority as the picture of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-33) in the home.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about authority and how He has laid it out?
2. How will you submit to God’s authority in all areas of your life each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!