Yahweh’s Divine Authority Structure
Yahweh’s Divine Authority Structure
Including, “Can women teach men under authority?”
Since I am a business man, I am familiar with organizational charts. So, let us start with Yahweh’s basic divine authority structure!!!!!
Yahweh the Father
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YahwehShua the Son
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Kahal (the body of believers)
It is clear that all of the above can be both “one” yet have distinctions of authority. There are many Scriptures which show Yahweh the Father and YahwehShua the Son as “one” but also show that Yahweh the Father has authority over YahwehShua the Son. I offer a few Scriptures to illustrate the point.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
John 14:6 Yah’shua saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Sovereign, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Yah’shua saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
And believers are “one” with the Father and the Son, yet again we have a distinction of authority with YahwehShua being the head of believers.
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Messiah is the head of the kahal: and he is the saviour of the body.
Colossians 1:18 And he (Messiah) is the head of the body, the kahal: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
We also have subsets within the divine authority structure (i.e. Yahweh the Father -YahwehShua the Son – body of believers). Although we have subsets, it must be made clear that ultimately YahwehShua has authority over believers. If a believer does not follow YahwehShua and His righteousness when it conflicts with man’s authority, whether it be a husband, elder, or governmental body, that believer is practicing sin. Scriptures state that all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).
The first subset of the divine authority structure is the Husband-Wife relationship.
Husband
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Wife
It is clear from Scriptures that the authority (“head”) of the wife is the husband.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Messiah is the head of the kahal: and he is the saviour of the body.
Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Again, YahwehShua has ultimate authority over believers, including wives. Therefore wives are not to blindly follow their husbands if they go against YahwehShua and His righteousness.
So far everything is straightforward. What may be unclear is whether all women, including married women, are under the authority of all men who are believers.
Let us review Yahweh’s Word. The only Scriptures in the Bible that seems to be saying that all women need to be under the authority of all men are in 1 Corinthians 11 and 1 Timothy 2. But before we say all women need to be under the authority of all men, we need to be certain that these passages are translated correctly. It is clear as we go through this article and look at the original Greek that there is gender bias in our translated English Bibles. And what better way to have gender bias than to have all women under the authority of all men!!
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man (#435) is Messiah; and the head of the woman (#1135) is the man (#435); and the head of Messiah is Yahweh.
1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman (#1135) to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (#435), but to be in silence.
435 aner {an’-ayr} • a primary word cf 444; TDNT – 1:360,59; n m • AV – man 156, husband 50, sir 6, fellow 1, not tr 2; 215 • 1) with reference to sex 1a) of a male 1b) of a husband 1c) of a betrothed or future husband 2) with reference to age, and to distinguish an adult man from a boy 3) any male 4) used generically of a group of both men and women
1135 gune {goo-nay’} • probably from the base of 1096; TDNT – 1:776,134; n f • AV – women 129, wife 92; 221 • 1) a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow 2) a wife 2a) of a betrothed woman
One of the problems with the above translations is the Greek words used for “man” and “woman”. These same Greek words can also be used for “wife” and “husband”. So the above Scriptures could read “and the head of the wife is the husband” and “but I suffer not a wife to teach, nor to usurp authority over the husband”. These translations would better harmonize with the rest of Yahweh’s Word since there are many Scriptures throughout the Old and New Testaments which show the husband’s headship over the wife and no other Scriptures besides these two which potentially indicate that all men have authority over all women.
The second clue that these passages are talking about husband and wife is that it says the head (i.e. authority) of the woman is the man. Both woman and man are singular, not plural. Therefore, this passage cannot be talking about all men (plural) being the head of all women (plural).
Lastly, it is practically impossible for all women to be under the authority of all men. If you have five different men in the kahal and each asked the same woman to do something different that was not against YahwehShua’s righteousness, how could she obey all those men? And what about a married woman in the assembly? Does she obey her husband only or all the men in the assembly?
Based on these points, I believe Yahweh’s Word is clear that 1 Corinthians 11:3 and 1 Timothy 2:12 are talking about the husband wife relationship.
Although all women are not under the authority of all men, they are under the authority of the elders as a group when it comes to the assembly. Women are not under the authority of each elder, unless that elder is given authority by the group of elders.
Group of elders
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Believers, including all women
Again, YahwehShua is the head of the body, so if the elder commands anything that contradicts YahwehShua and His righteousness, believers, including women, should not obey.
With elders being a part of Yahweh’s divine authority structure, let us look at the role of an elder. But first, as we read Yahweh’s Word, we see that “elder” and “bishop” is used interchangeably in the New Testament. The distinction between the two is that “elder” describes the person while “bishop” describes the function.
1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man (#1536) desire the office of a bishop (#1984), he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband (#435) of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man (#1536) know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the kahal of Yahweh?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1536 ei tis {i tis} • from 1487 and 5100;; pron • AV – if any man 35, if any 19, if a man 8, if any thing 6, if ought 3, whosoever 2, misc 6; 79 • 1) whoever, whatever
1984 episkope {ep-is-kop-ay’} • from 1980; TDNT – 2:606,244; n f • AV – visitation 2, bishoprick 1, office of a bishop 1; 4 • 1) investigation, inspection, visitation 1a) that act by which God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds character, of men, in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly, whether joyous or sad 1b) oversight 1b1) overseership, office, charge, the office of an elder 1b2) the overseer or presiding officers of a Christian church
Again, bishop describes the function of the elder as “overseer of the kahal” and “the office of an elder”. And as overseers of the kahal, elders are ultimately responsible for teaching sound doctrine.
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders (#4245) which were at Jerusalem.
1 Peter 5:1 The elders (#4245) which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Messiah, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of Yahweh which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over Yahweh‘s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for Yahweh resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
4245 presbuteros {pres-boo’-ter-os} • comparative of presbus (elderly); TDNT – 6:651,931; adj • AV – elder 64, old man 1, eldest 1, elder woman 1; 67 • 1) elder, of age, 1a) the elder of two people 1b) advanced in life, an elder, a senior 1b1) forefathers 2) a term of rank or office 2a) among the Jews 2a1) members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men) 2a2) of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice 2b) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably 2c) the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God
The function of an elder is to oversee the kahal including sound teaching. But who can be an elder? 1 Timothy 3:1 states “if a man desire the office of a bishop”. So can men only be elders based on this passage of Scriptures? After closer inspection of this verse, translator bias comes into play concerning the word “man” (#1536) in verse one. It should be translated “if any”. So this Scripture does not definitely prove that elders must be men only.
There are other clues in the Scriptures that can help us determine who can be an elder. First of all, 1 Timothy 3 indicates that an elder should be the husband (#435) of one wife and one that rules well over his house. We know through Yahweh’s divine authority structure that the husband is head of the household. Lastly, if you read further in 1 Timothy 3, it becomes clear that qualifications for a woman becoming a deacon, a different position in the body of believers, are given, but none are mentioned for a woman becoming an elder. I use the American Standard Version because it translates the Greek word “gune” correctly women deacons not as wives of male deacons.
1 Timothy 3:11 (American Standard) Women in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.
Let us look at another Scripture that gives qualifications for elders. This is an interesting Scripture in that it uses the term elders and bishop interchangeably.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders (#4245) in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop (#1984) must be blameless, as the steward of Yahweh; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus does not give us any additional clues about who can be an elder but confirms that an elder must be the husband of one wife ruling his house well.
Other clues that solidify that elders can only be men are found in Acts and 1 Timothy:
Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders (#4245), with the whole kahal, to send chosen men (#435-aner) of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman (#1135-gune) to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (#435-aner), but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
As we already discussed, 1 Timothy 2:12 should read “I suffer not a wife to teach, nor to usurp authority over the husband”. So it is clear that a wife cannot be an elder when her husband is a member because this would go against the husband’s authority over the wife.
Lastly, we see Yahweh’s pattern of picking men to be overseers of His people from the Old Testament (Exodus 18:17-23 and Deuteronomy 17:14-15) to the twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:1-4 and Acts 1:26).
Based on all the discussed Scriptures, I believe Yahweh through His Word has reserved the elder position for men.
It appears that apostles are the ones that initially appoint elders. In a broad sense, the word “apostle” means those that are sent out as messengers of the Word to open new assemblies.
Acts 14:23 And when they (i.e. apostles Paul and Barnabas) had ordained them elders (#4245) in every kahal, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to Yahweh, on whom they believed.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I (i.e. Paul) thee in Crete, that thou (i.e. Titus) shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders (#4245) in every city, as I (i.e. Paul) had appointed thee:
And the Holy Spirit is the One that moves an aged man of the faith and the existing elders to add a new elder who has the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers (#1985), to feed the kahal of Yahweh, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Besides overseeing the body of believers, the elders have the important responsibility of laying-on-of-hands for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and healing of the sick.
1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (#4244).
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders (#4245) that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders (#4245) of the assembly; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of Yahweh:
Lastly, it is clear that there needs to be more than one elder overseeing the kahal. We see the plural word “elders” being used in these Scriptures; Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23, 15:22, 16:4, 20:28, 1 Timothy 5:17, and 1 Peter 5:1. Yahweh understands the carnal nature and the risk of one man completely controlling the kahal.
As a side note, Yahweh’s divine authority structure will change at the second coming of Messiah, who will set up his 1,000 year kingdom on earth. Once Messiah’s 1,000 year kingdom is established, there will be no need for elders because Messiah will rule in complete righteousness as King of Kings. Also, believers who are part of the first resurrection, will not marry. Therefore the husband wife authority structure will no longer apply.
Revelations 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called Dabar Yahweh. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Yahweh. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND SOVEREIGN OF SOVEREIGNS.
Luke 20:34 And Yah’shua answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of Yahweh, being the children of the resurrection.
And lastly, since we are on the topic of elders, let us give our elders honor that is due!!! Being an elder can be at times a difficult and thankless position.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in Yahweh, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.
Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of Yahweh: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Hopefully with Yahweh’s divine authority structure firmly in place, we can start tackling the question of whether women may teach men under authority. Sadly, many believe that since women are under authority, they are very limited in what they can do and say and they base this on a few misunderstood Scriptures. For more information on this topic, please read “Women’s role in the Kahal”.
As a side note, it is clear from Scriptures and not controversial that women can teach other women and children, so we will not spend any time on this topic.
So the question becomes “can women teach men under authority?”
First, we know that YahwehShua under His authority rose up Deborah to be judge of all of Israel (Judges 5 & 6). And if you are a judge of men and women you are most definitely teaching!
Yahweh also raised up many women prophets in both the Old and New Testament to teach men and women (see Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, 2 Kings 22:14, Isaiah 8:3, Luke 2:36, Acts 2:17-18 and 21:8-9). According to 1 Corinthians 14:3, a prophet speaks to both men and women during worship for their “edification, exhortation, and comfort.” “Edification” in the Greek is #3619 “oikodome”, a building or edification, figuratively or literally; It expresses the strengthening effect of teaching or other ministry. And we also see that women prophets can teach men and women in 1 Corinthians 14:31, which tell us that “all may prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” Under YahwehShua’s authority women prophets in both the Old and New Testaments were worthy to teach, including teaching men.
We also see Priscilla under the authority of her husband Aquila teaching a Jewish man named Apollos the evangel (Acts 18:24-26).
The question becomes “Why can’t a woman, either under the authority of YahwehShua, husband, or the elders, teach men if that authority believes a woman has demonstrated knowledge of the Scriptures and has the spiritual gift of teaching?”
When someone speaks about doctrine, he or she is the expert at the time they speak, but not necessarily the authority behind the teaching. The authority that allows a woman to teach a certain doctrine comes from either YahwehShua, the elders of the assembly, or husband.
And if, despite her authorities best efforts to confirm in advance the correctness of her doctrine, she does bring forth wrong doctrine, then the elders of the kahal have the right and duty to correct this false doctrine.
Titus 1:5 For this cause left I (i.e. Paul) thee in Crete, that thou (i.e. Titus) shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders (#4245) in every city, as I had appointed thee:
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
Many wrongly use 2 Timothy 2:1-2 as clear evidence that women cannot teach men.
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Messiah YahwehShua. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men (#444), who shall be able to teach others also.
At first, 2 Timothy appears to teach that the evangel should be committed to faithful men (by inference excluding women), who shall be able to teach others. But the Greek word is #444 – “Anthropos”, which is defined as human being (man or woman). Again we have translator gender bias. This Scripture should read “committed to faithful men and women, who shall be able to teach others also”. Therefore the Scriptures properly translated clearly state that faithful women should be allowed to teach others, including men.
Many wrongly use 1 Peter 4:11 as clear evidence that women cannot teach men.
1 Peter 4:11 If any man (#1536) speak, let him speak as the oracles of Elohim; if any man (#1536) minister, let him do it as of the ability which Yahweh giveth: that Yahweh in all things may be glorified through YahwehShua Messiah, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Again, it appears that men are the only ones to speak/teach the oracles of Elohim and that Yahweh has only given men that ability. But the Greek word translated “If any man” is #1536 –“etis”, which is defined as “if any” – which would include women. “Man” was added by the translator and again we have translator gender bias. This Scripture should read “if any man or women speak, let him/her speak as the oracles of Elohim, if any man or women minister, let him/her do it as of the ability which Yahweh giveth”. Again, if this Scripture is property translated, women should be able to speak/teach the oracles of Yahweh.
Lastly, let us look at another very difficult passage used to exclude women from teaching men under authority. We have already looked at this Scripture once, but let us look at it in more detail.
1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman (#1135) to teach, nor to usurp authority (#831) over the man (#435), but to be in silence (#2271).
As we have already discussed, the Greek word used in this passage for “woman” (#1135-gune) and “man” (#435-aner), should have been translated “wife” and “husband”.
Additionally, since there was no punctuation in the original Scriptures, the comma between “teach” and “usurp authority” is questionable. Therefore, these two phrases may in fact be more linked than they appear to be and may be better translated: “the wife may not teach her husband in a manner that usurps his authority.”
However, “to teach in a way that usurps authority” would be a tremendous clue as this Greek word for “usurps authority” turns out to be a loaded gun. It is #831 “authenteo” which means “”to act of oneself, i.e. (figuratively) dominate, usurp authority over” and appears just this one time in the New Testament.
We must remember that the typical Greek word for the positive aspect of “power” and “authority” is #244 “exousia” and that is not the word Paul chose to use in this prohibition. Paul appears to be prohibiting wives from teaching in a certain manner and with a certain attitude.
Zodhiates’ Complete Word Study Dictionary defines “authenteo” thusly: “murderer, absolute master, which is from “autos” (#846) and “entea” arms, armor. A self-appointed killer with one’s own hand, one acting by his own authority or power, to use or exercise authority or power over as an autocrat, to domineer.” Greek synonyms given by Zodhiates have definitions such as “to exercise full authority over” and “to lord it over, rule over as lord” and “to lord it over completely.”
So, rather than merely “teaching” itself, Paul in this difficult passage seems to be prohibiting wife’s from dominating and domineering husbands when they teach.
Lastly, the Greek word for “silence” in verses 12 is #2271 “hesuchia”, which as a noun means “stillness, i.e. desistance from bustle or language, quietness.” Once again and similar to “sigao” in 1 Corinthians 14, “hesuchia” does not mean absolute silence, but has a meaning of quietness and being under control. Again we have translator gender bias. For more information on these Greek words, please read “Women’s Role in the Kahal”.
Here is the problem if you state that women cannot ever teach men: It goes against so many Scriptures.
Scriptures encourage all to bring doctrines and teaching to the assembly…
1 Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying”.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Yahweh rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Sovereign.
Paul in these verses does not exclude women from sharing a psalm or even teaching a doctrine to both men and women when the body comes together. Why should anyone else?
We know that spiritual gifts including teaching have been given to all believers, not just men.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah:
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Messiah, and members in particular. 28 And Yahweh hath set some in the assembly, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Any woman as well as any man may be given the gift of teaching and in fact, Paul urges all believers to “earnestly desire the best gifts” directly after he includes teaching in a list of eight gifts. Paul at least implies, if not explicitly states that teaching is one of the “best gifts.” Nowhere in any of the spiritual gift lists does Paul state that any believer, man or woman, may be excluded from receiving any spiritual gift, including teaching.
And based on the correct translations of 2 Timothy 2, Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy that both men and women should teach others about Messiah. The following verse is a clear mandate to women to teach the important doctrines of the faith, including to men.
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Messiah YahwehShua. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men (and women), who shall be able to teach others also.
And based on the correct translation of 1 Peter 4, both men and women should speak the oracles of Elohim and minister based on the ability that Yahweh has given them.
1 Peter 4:11 If any man (and woman) speak, let him(her) speak as the oracles of Elohim; if any man (and woman) minister, let him(her) do it as of the ability which Yahweh giveth:
Receiving the blessing of being “called great in the kingdom of heaven” and even of “entering into the kingdom of heaven” hinges on saints’ “righteousness”, defined in Matthew 5 as obeying Yahweh’s commandments and teaching others to do so. Yahweh does not exclude women from teaching his Law and commandments just as He does not exclude them from being called great and entering His kingdom.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Although Yah’shua is specifically addressing the original eleven male disciples in verses 16 and 17 of the following Scriptures, we know that He also had many female disciples, then and now. And that He is calling upon all His followers to teach others about Him and His commandments. Women are not excluded in this passage.
Matthew 28:18 And Yah’shua came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Both men and women are all one in Messiah YahwehShua. We all are given gifts by Yahweh that we must use including teaching. The only restriction in the Scriptures of using our gifts is that one must use his or her gift under proper authority.
Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Messiah YahwehShua.
1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (NKJ)
To conclude, Yahweh commands an authority structure which all believers must understand. The first duty of believers is to get under the authority of Yahweh and YahwehShua. From this follows that believers must submit to the authorities ordained by Yahweh for them including elders, husband, and government (Romans 13:1-7). Yahweh is His children’s ultimate authority and the One they will have to answer to on judgment day.
Yahweh has given the authority to oversee the kahal, including sound doctrine, to the elders. One elder alone should never rule an assembly because Yahweh understands the carnal nature and the risk of one man completely controlling the kahal. And to repeat, Yahweh has reserved the elder role for men only.
On the topic of “Can women teach men under authority?” it is clear that we cannot formulate doctrine from a few misunderstood passages, including 1 Timothy 2:12. We must harmonize all Scriptures. Based on all that is covered in this article and “Women’s Role in the Kahal”, Yahweh’s Word is clear that women can teach men under proper authority.
HalleluYah
(9-14)