LeFors Tribe

Women: Created To Remain Silent? (1 of 2: Corinthians)

Women: Created To Remain Silent? (2 of 2: Timothy)

http://www.leforstribe.com/

Hello, Hello, and Hello!

I would like to talk about the topic of women teaching and being silent. It comes from two common verses that are used to say that women must not teach and to remain quiet.

First, I’d like to mention that I have made two vlogs in the past regarding women. They are titled, “I Am Crying Because I Am A Woman” and the other one is, “Some Leaders Are Born Women”. These vlogs talks about women in the Scriptures.

For this vlog, I want to only talk about the verses used in 1 Corinthians.

“Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak;but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.” -1 Corinthians 14:34-35

This verse and 1 Timothy 2:14 are the only two scriptures that oddly states that the women must be silent. I want to elaborate on the 1 Corinthians scriptures. I will talk about 1 Timothy in my next vlog. Keep in mind that this vlog only talks about 1 Corinthians so that we can understand why Paul said this.

We can see clearly in the Scriptures that YHWH (God) have used women multiple of times in the past. It’s all over the Scriptures. There are many women leaders, teachers, and prophetess. For example, we have Miriam (Exodus 15:20-21), Deborah (Judges 4:4-9), Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3), and Phillip’s 4 daughters (Acts 21:9). One of these women was a miltary leader and that’s Deborah. She operated and won a war against another country. There are also many women disciples such as Mary (Romans 16:6), Martha (John 11:23-27), Joanna (Luke 8:3), even some women were deacons like Priscilla (Romans 16:3), church leaders like Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), and Phoebe (Romans 16:1) was a minister.

UNDERSTANDING THE CORINTH CHURCH Now, the author of 1 Corinthians is the same man that said the “women remain silent” verse and also is the same man that praised and encouraged many women leaders. It is quite odd.

The Corinth (some people sign it that way (C as Greek) and some people spell it out) is a church in Greece. Keep in mind that it is the only church in the city of Corinth that believes in one and true YHWH. The country, Greece, is filled with many gods and goddess, a lot of myth and fable stories as well. There are also a lot of temples built for the greek gods and goddess. A lot of idols were put in the temples to worship the gods and goddess. The church of Corinth is located by the Gulf of Corinth. Across the sea from the Corinth church is the location of the Oracle of Delphi. The two buildings are only 40 miles across from each other by sea. The temple of the Oracle of Delphi existed for 12 centuries, that’s about like 1,200 years. The temple of the Oracle of Delphi have women prophetesses. There is an opening in the temple in the ground where the worshippers create a certain fume to come out of. It is mandatory that women carry out messages given to them by Apollos (a greek gods). You can do a research on the “Oracle of Delphi” off google.

(see picture of a woman in the temple where the Oracle of Delphi is)

(See picture of temple currently in Greece)

It seems obvious that the husbands and wives from the Temple of the Oracle of Delphi have mingled with the church of Corinth and caused a lot of problems. The Corinth Church had issues with idolatry, sexual immorality, marriage, and etc. Paul gave many different instructions for different issues the church had and it all can be read in the book of Corinthians. Also, in 1 Corinthians we read a passage where Paul becomes upset when he finds out that a man has had sex with his father’s wife. Paul becomes disgusted with incest problem in the church. So from bits of proof in the Book of Corinthians we know that there were a lot of problems in the church of Corinth and that it was a “messed up” church and Paul wrote down many instructions.

We see prior to the”women remain silent” verse, Paul insults the church of their being led by dumb idols.

“You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.” -1 Corinthians 12:2

Then in the next verse we see where Paul explains to the church how to tell the difference between a true and false prophet.

“Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of YHWH says, Yahushua (Jesus) be cursed,” and no one can say, “Yahushua is Lord.” except by the Holy Spirit.” -1 Corinthians 12:3

A true prophet is able to proclaim that Yahushua is the Messiah whereas a false prophet would not be able to do so. Instead, the false prophet will curse Yahushua.

As we continue in the chapter, Paul goes on to share that YHWH gives different gifts to each person. It does not specifically say which gifts are “for women only” or which gifts are “for men only”. The scripture says each one and to all persons.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (also chapter 13)

“There are different ways YHWH works in our lives, but it is the same YHWH who does the work through all of us.” -1 Corinthians 12:6

“It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” -1 Corinthians 12:11

As we go on to read the passage, we come to the verse where Paul says that YHWH is not the author of confusion but of peace.

“For YHWH is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” -1 Corinthians 14:33

Then comes right here the very scripture…

“Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.” -1 Corinthians 12:34

Strange, isn’t it? It says for women to be quiet. Hmmm…Being able to read the Scriptures in Greek is very important so we will break the Scriptures and read the Greek word for “woman”.

The greek word used for woman is “gyne”. It is the same word to use when referring to a “wife”. It can mean both “woman”, or “wife”. This is why we have to read everything in context to figure out what meaning is referring to.

Gyne- can be translated either wife or woman, for example it is translated “wife” in 1 Corinthians 7:3 and 27. Strong Concordance #G1135

When we read this sentence, “let the women remain silent”, we have to remember that the greek word used, “gyne” also means wife. This means that the sentence can be put this way, “let the wives remain silent”. We also have to remember that the Corinth church had a lot of problems in the church and there are things that we have to figure out.

Remember I mentioned earlier that there was the temple of the Oracle of Delphi across from the Church of Corinth by sea, history show that the people in that city were strongly influenced by the temple of the Oracle of Delphi. The Scriptures show that the church of Corinth had idolatry problems–they were led by dumb idols. The church also had sexual immorality. It is possible that the wives from the temple of the Oracle of Delphi also attended the church of Corinth. The same wives probably prophesized in the church that Yahushua is cursed. The church became confused because women/wives were prophesizing that Yahushua is cursed and the church was not sure whether or not they were true prophetess or not. This is why Paul made an expaination that a prophet who has accepted Yahushua as their personal Savior would not curse Yahushua. Paul makes the identification clear.

Now, “Let your wives remain silent…” would mean that Paul was referring to ONLY the husbands who had pagan wives that caused trouble in the Corinth church.

A correct translation would be best put as this: “Let your WIVES remain silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.”

Now, in the very next verse we read, “and IF, IF, IF they desire to learn, let them ask their own HUSBANDS at home.”

“And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home…” -1 Corinthians 14:35

I want to specifically point out the word usage of “IF”. IF. IF. Do you actually think YHWH’s heart is about letting women have the option to chose whether or not they would like to learn about YHWH? “It’s entirely up to you if you women would like to learn about Me. Up to you.” THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. “And IF they DESIRE to learn, let them ASK their HUSBANDS at home…” If this scripture is really for all of us women of all generations, how should single women, who have no husbands, find out more information if she desires to learn? What about widows whose husbands are dead. We see now clearly that this scripture is not for all women of all generations. This verse was specifically for pagan wives of husbands who attended the Corinth church. Oh, I’d like to also add that suppose a wife attends church but her husband isn’t converted. Should she attend church and then go home to her unconverted husband, who has not declared Yahushua as his Savior, some questions? No! This brings too many contradictions if it really means for all women of all generation to remain silent.

In my next vlog, I will elaborate in details about 1 Timothy. The same concept can be found in the 1 Timothy passage as there were gods/goddess all over in Ephesus.

Check out the next vlog, alright!

Have a great day! Be blessed!

————–TEXT FOR 2nd VLOG———-

Hello!

Before you watch this vlog, I reccomend you to watch the previous vlog. This vlog is in connection to the previous vlog. You probably will understand this vlog but watching the previous vlog beforehand will give you a better understanding of this vlog.

Now, in this vlog, I want to talk about 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

“Let the women leaen in silence with all subjection, and I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” -1 Timothy 2:11-12

I mentioned in the first vlog that the word wife and women both have the same Greek word, “gyne”. Gyne- can be translated either wife or woman, for example, it is translated “wife” in 1 Corinthians 7:3 and 27. Strong’s Greek Hebrew Dictionary #1135Paul wrote a letter to a man named Timothy. Timothy was a pastor in the church of Ephesus. Ephesus is also a city filled with gods and goddess, idols, myths, and temples for the gods/goddess. Paul tells Timothy in the book of Timothy that he has left Timothy in Ephesus and encourages Timothy to stop false teachers.

“When I (Paul) left for Macedonia, I urged you (Timothy) to stay there in Ephesus and stop those who are teaching wrong doctrine.” -1 Timothy 1:3

The church of Ephesus was fighting the religion doctrine of Artemis. Artemis is the same goddess of Diana. Artemis is a Greek name for the goddess of fertility. Diana is the name the Romans use to call the goddess of fertility. Ephesus is the world center worship of the goddess of Diana. People from all over come to Ephesus to worship Diana (Artemis).

“And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?” -Acts 19:35

In Ephesus, there was a great temple made for the goddess of Aprodite, the goddess of love. There were many prositutes living in the temple.

(see picture of the goddess of Artemis (Diana) and temple of Artemis)

Artemis (Diana) is a female goddess who has a strong sense of war, superiority, fertility, and etc. The teaching of Artemis (Diana) were modifed from the Scriptures and that caused some confusion for the church of Ephesus as they were learning about YHWH. The religion teaching of Artemis (Diana) says that Eve was first created and that Eve recieved a special knowledge to go ahead and eat the fruit. Also, Eve recieved a special knowledge to engage in sex orgies. As a result of that, the prophetess in the temple of Artemis (Diana) would have orgies as an act of worship to their goddess. Artemis (Diana) religion also teaches that if the women get pregnant as a result of their orgy worship, she will have a safe childbirth. It is the belief of those who follow the goddess of Artemis (Diana).

Now, the Ephesus church, led by Timothy, must fight off false teachings of Artemis (Diana) and continue to believe that there is no other god but YHWH. In the book of Timothy, Paul says that he wants the women to learn in silence and that he does not permit a woman to teach or to usurp authority over a man but to be sumbissive as the law says. This scripture and the other one in Corinthians are the only two verse in the whole Scriptures that say of such about women.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection and I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” -1 Timothy 2:12

Now, the definiton of a word can change throughout the years. Like for exmaple if I told you that today I was feeling so gay. You may not percieve that I was feeling very happy today but rather a different definition in mind. Definitions of a word do change over time.

“To usurp authority” has a greek word of “authenteo”

This greek word is used only ONE time in the entire Scriptures and it is found in 1 Timothy 2:12.

Authenteo in English means “To usurp authority”.

“To usurp authority” -GREEK: authenteo

1) One who with his own hands kills another or himself

2)One who acts on his own authority, autocratic

3)An absolute master

4)To govern, exercise dominion over one

Strong Concordance #G831

Authenteo is a greek word that used to mean “to kill someone else with his own hands” or to “commit suicide”, but during Paul’s time the greek word authenteo had another definition. It meant sex or orgy worship. That definition is not used today anymore but if you google and do some research you will find out that some people have discovered the old meaning for that greek word. There are also a couple of documents from Catholic cardinals back in the 1st centry (100 AD) who have used the greek word “authenteo” in ways where it meant sex and orgy worship. The Catholic cardinals wrote letters and sent them out to different bishops explaining to them of a situation where in the church there is “authenteo” (sex or orgy worship). The cardinals mentioned that certain people think they have a license to perform sex or orgy as a form of worship in the church.

Now with this understanding, we understand that the word “authenteo” does not have the same definition we use today. Even the Strong Concordance does not recognize the old definition. The Strong Concordance recognizes the definitions mentioned above. Again, back during Paul’s time, the greek word “authenteo” had a meaning of “to kill someone with your own hands”, “to kill yourself”, “or to have sex or orgy worship”.

The proper translation would be put as this: “I do not permit that these wives teach or sexually seduce the men, but to be in silence.

This verse does not specially mean for all women of all generations. It specifically talks about the pagan wives of the church in Ephesus. A group of wives who brought false teaching into the church of Ephesus.

We also have to remember that the Corinth Church had wives who had an issue with the Oracle of Delphi, the same can be found for the church of Ephesus with the goddess of Diana (Artemis). Scriptures show that the Ephesians loved and worshipped the goddess of Diana.

“…but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” -Acts 19:27

The same people who worshipped the goddess of Diana confused the church of Ephesus. This is why Paul instructed that Timothy stay in Ephesus and stop those who continue to bring in false teaching. It is quite obvious that the wives had brought in the false teaching of Diana into the church of Ephesus. Paul goes on in that same chapter to explain clearly to the church of Ephesus that Adam was formed first and then Eve (1 Timothy 2:13-14). Paul also states that Eve was decieved. This is to say that Eve did not get a special knowledge to eat the fruit. Then shortly after, Paul shares that women would be safe during childbearing by God (not Artemis/Diana).

“Yet she will be saved through childbearing–if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” -1 Timothy 2:15

Why would Paul talk about childbearing? This is because Paul knows the teaching of Artemis (Diana) for she is the goddess of fertility.

(see picture of Artemis (Diana))

Now, when we do research and find history behind something, we can clearly understand that the scripture Paul stated really is for the pagan wives in the church of Ephesus, not all of the women of all generations. It is really dangerous for people, both women and men, to oppress or prevent someone, both women or men, from fulfilling YHWH’s calling and message for other people. YHWH’s message is very important.

Now, maybe some of you will say, “Y’know, there’s a level of submission in the Bible.” You’re correct. There is indeed levels of submission found in the home and in this human world. This is the same as you would find at work: boss being in the upper level of authority, assistant boss is second in line. President being first, Vice President second, then Secretary, and so on. We are submissive to different position everyday in this world at work, at home, around friends and so on. The Scripture say that YHWH was first, then came Yahushua and man was formed then women. Now, among married couples in the home, there is a level of submission. The woman being a helpmate supporting the husband and the husband working with the woman as a team mate. There are NO power trips. It is NOT about power trips. This is because YHWH has commanded that husbands must love their wives just the same as Christ loved the church (he died for the church).

Be blessed! Have a great day!

 www.LeForsTribe.com

Hello everyone! This vlog is a continuation from my previous vlog comparing in & on related to the Holy Spirit (In = On?). If you have not seen that one, may I suggest that you go there and watch it first before watching this vlog.

It seems to me that the general population of believers have no problem with the Holy Spirit being inside of us in regards to salvation, conscience, differentating between right and wrong, and so on. It seems that further analysis of the word “on” in relation to the Holy Spirit is needed.

Now, why do we really need to know about the Holy Sprit being upon us? It’s because we want what’s best that YHWH has for us. It is His perfect design, therefore it is what is best for us. Once I find out what YHWH’s best is, I want to go for it and I believe that you feel the same way.

The enduement of power from the Holy Spirit upon us enables us to do many things in a more efficient way with the power that the Holy Spirit provides. That’s because His kingdom is not only in words, but in power also.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction… -1 Thess. 1:5

For the kingdom of YHWH does not consist in talk but in power. -1 Cor. 4:20

In this vlog I will attempt to answer three questions: How do I get the Holy Spirit upon me?, How do I know that I have the Holy Spirit upon me?, As a result of getting the Holy Spirit upon me, what can I expect to happen?

Question #1: How do I get the Holy Spirit to come upon me? The key to it happening is that the person must want it. It cannot be forced upon us. It cannot be bought. Really, there’s no other way around it. Each individual has to want it. Further, sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be. Let’s keep it simple: Ask for it. Yahushua often spoke about people not getting what they need because they didn’t ask for it. He also said that if you ask, you will receive. So, along with wanting it, we will also need to ask for it. There is a third factor that can help us get the Holy Spirit upon us- by the laying on of hands by another person. We are designed to live with fellow believers as parts of the body of Messiah. We can use others to help us accomplish this.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you -Matt 7:7 & Luke 11:9

Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit -Acts 8:17

Question #2: How do I know that I have the Holy Spirit upon me? That’s a tough one. I’ve looked at it in the Scriptures and it seems that, as far as I understand it, the receiving of the Holy Spirit upon a person is accompanied with speaking in tongues. It can be done either vocally (spoken) or visually (signed). It seems to go hand in hand. For example, during the Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 the Holy Spirit fell upon people and they spoke
in tongues. Cornelius, a Greek I believe, in Acts chapter 10 received the Holy Spirit and then he spoke in other tongues.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. -Acts 2:4

… the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word… and they heard
them speak with tongues and magnify YHWH… -Acts 10:44-46

Now, I would like to elaborate a little bit more on the word ‘tongues’. ‘Tongues’ are used in most translations of the Bible as being simply “a language”. Futuher study of ‘tongues’ brings us to two different types of language:

1- known languages of the world that people speak such as English, French, ASL, BSL, and Spanish,

2-a heavenly language in which no person in this world is able to understand. The heavenly language can be communicated only between our spirit and YHWH’s along with the angels.

I have seen both instances of ‘tongues’ being used in Scriptures- known languages where other people can recognize it as well as unknown heavenly languages.

Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? -Acts 2:4-11In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how
to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; -Romans 8:26

For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to YHWH; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Cor. 14:2

Question #3: As a result of getting the Holy Spirit upon me, what can I expect to happen? It is not limited to other tongues and languages. Looking at the example produced by Peter and John, we see another benefit. Peter and John were disciples, yet they were not known as courageous men. When Yahushua was arrested, scourged, and crucified, Peter kept hiding and denying that he knew Yahushua. However, when Peter received the Holy Spirit upon him, he was a changed man. He became bold and preached strongly the
gospel. It became so that other people who knew that Peter was an “uneducated man” became amazed that he was able to progress so mightily. When we have the Holy Spirit upon us, it enables us to be bold and have the ability to answer questions and be “educated”.

They observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men… filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of YHWH with boldness -Acts 4:13 & 31.

Another benefit is outlined in 1 Cor. 12. It explains in detail the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those gifts come from the same Spirit but works in different ways. Those different gifts and talents work in believers so that the body of Messiah is fulfilled and that people’s needs and lacks are filled.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all -1 Corinthians 12:7

9 gifts outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, & interpretation

Basically, as I said in the beginning, what YHWH has for us we shouldn’t neglect. We need to take every opportunity and benefit of His kingdom so that we can mobilize and go all the way for Him. Thumbs up and be blessed!