You are needed.

1 Timothy 2:12 says, “I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.”

We have been talking about God’s beloved daughters in the last few weeks. Starting with that verse may sound like I woke up and chose violence today, but quite the contrary. I want to share from my experience and what I have seen God do and bring in my understanding of the above scripture.

At work, I am quite senior in my role, and I have the privilege of teaching other lawyers and leading a team of lawyers. That includes, from time to time, male lawyers and male paralegals and support staff. By teaching these men and exercising authority over them as their leader or superior am I out of the will of God in my job? If you are working at McDonalds as a woman, and you are a manager and there are men working under your supervision, does that alone mean you are outside of the will of God for your life?

Where does the above verse apply? Is it a general life application? Is it for the church in general? Or is it for a specific audience and people group that Paul was talking to?

Some may say, “Paul was talking about teaching the word of God and having authority over men in that respect.”

One story that comes to mind was from early 2023. I was having lunch with my male colleagues, some who professed to be Christian and others who said they were not Christian and did not believe in God. I did not enjoy these lunches particularly, but I felt I needed to be there for one reason or the other, so I went. One day a discussion ensued about God and whether or not He was real, so I began to share what I know to be true.

These discussions continued over a few lunch sessions where we would talk about all different aspects of God and how I would approach certain subject matters as a Christian and I would teach them about Jesus. One of them decided to give his life to Jesus and was saved, praise God!

Now, if we look at 1 Timothy 2:12 above, it would appear that I both taught men and had authority over them in respect of the word of God. So, was I outside of the will of God there?

See, it is difficult to try view the word of God through the lens of our experience. Our experiences can run parallel to God’s word. So let’s try to get an understanding of God’s heart on the matter. John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Peter 3:9 says, “This means that, contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with his promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, his “delay” simply reveals his loving patience toward you, because he does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.”

These verses are very clear, God loves people, and He wants to give everyone an opportunity to repent and be saved. So does this mean when presented with an opportunity to share the gospel with people, as women, we sit back and say nothing because of 1 Timothy 2:12? Or do we lean into God’s heart of not wanting any to perish and teach people the word of God so they may experience salvation?

If a man is reading this or any of my blogs, does this put me at odds with the word of God? I am not writing any of this so I can argue with anyone, or start an online debate, lol. I believe there are some women who are stuck, who have been hearing from God about God’s call on their lives but are not sure what to do. I am hoping I can bring some light and help you get unstuck so you can be all God has called you to be.

I will leave you all with this, Matthew 9:36-37 says, “When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in.”

We will continue next week.

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano.