1Tim 2:14 The Nature of the Fall

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The Nature of the Fall

1Tim 2:14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

This is the second scriptural reason as to why Paul does not allow women to teach or otherwise practice authority over men. And again it's based on the precedent of Adam and Eve. But what is the precedent in this case. In the previous verse Paul had spoken of the order of creation. And while here he might be alluding to the order of the Fall, it appears rather he's alluding to the nature of the Fall, the manner of the Fall, twice using the word "deceived". He's speaking of Eve's gullibility, being easily led astray. (She even appears to have misrepresented God's command: ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ Gen 3:3)

Paul's implying that Eve's behavior is characteristic of women, being in some sense more gullible than men. Well that's not a particularly politically correct thing to say these days. But if it was gullibility Paul was speaking of, one can understand why he didn't allow women in positions of teaching authority, in that they would be more susceptible to being led astray and thus leading others astray. (In 1Tim 4:7, for example, he speaks of "old wives' tales", not old husband's tales)

And it's furthermore possible that while verse 13 is the explanation as to why it is not appropriate for women to hold positions of authority over men, this verse may be a further explanation as to why they shouldn't be in the position of teaching men. In fact even among men the Bible instructs "let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." Jam 3:1 Such positions are reserved for those with the appropriate abilities and the maturity which comes from experience "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." Teaching is a battle in the realm of ideas - not suited for the gullible. I don't recommend relying upon women to accurately handle the Word of God. (In fact how feminists among the Christian community deal with these verses is an example of such mishandling of the Word of God)

And speaking of the gullible, some have fallen into the false idea that upon becoming Christian, women are no longer under the precedents of Genesis concerning the creation and fall of Eve -  but that Christian women are to have an equal role - equal positions - with that of men in all things. Such people have been deceived. For in contrast to such an egalitarian notion, the apostle applies those precedents in Genesis to Christian men and women in his gender specific commands. (As politically incorrect as that may be!)

And finally concerning the Fall and men allowing women to usurp authority: To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life..." Gen 3:17

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