Question 1-

We can deduce from all the exhortations in 1Timothy that “Paul” is writing to men for men. “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim 4:16) Since he has already established that women are not permitted to teach “… or to have any authority over a man; she is to be kept silent.” (1 Tim 2:12 b, c) “Paul” is firmly establishing men’s roles as leaders of the church and women as modest, quiet, baby-makers. “Paul” goes as far as to equate a woman’s salvation through her ability to bear children: “Yet she will be saved through childbearing..” (1 Tim 2:15). Perfectly aligned with Roman values of a man dominated hierarchal structure, and women as “natural”, and endowed with the blessings of fertility. In 1 Timothy the explanation of what a bishop should reflect is all using male pronouns: “He must manage is household well…” “Paul” also defines the role of bishop as someone who is married. An interesting statement from a man who celebrates is aesthetic life out of wedlock. In reflecting on Paul’s earlier letters there is proof of mixed messages in the role of women in the church and in society. In Romans, Paul asks the recipients to welcome a female deacon: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe a deacon of the Church of Cenchrae so that you may welcome her in the Lord as fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require of you for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.” (Rom 16:1) Yet in 1 Corinthians Paul reminds the readers of what is stated in Genesis, that woman is made from man, and man is the reflection of God, thus depositing woman back to the lower stature on the totem pole. This differentiation is later seemingly abolished in Galatians when Paul says everyone is equal: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28 ) However; women still have specific physical attributes and requirements they must follow, as in keeping their head veiled before God: “…but any woman who prays or prophecies with her head unveiled disgraces her head- it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved.”(1 Cor 11:5a) The author of 1 Timothy seems to be attempting a clarification of Paul’s earlier back and forth messages. “Paul” in 1 Timothy clearly cites Genesis to give men authority over women- that woman is made from Adam and deception came from Eve. 1 Timothy also elaborates on how women should dress and act: “…Women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing not with their hair braided , or with pearls or expensive clothes.” “Paul” omits any instruction on men’s dress instead focuses his instruction for them on how they should teach and aspire to become, sober, well behaved bishop’s. In Titus, “Paul” tells the women they can “teach” but it is in the form of instruction to other women on how to behave: “… submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.” (Titus, 2:5) In all the Pastoral Epistles the role of woman is explicitly defined as submissive. “Pauls” warns that the young widow could fall prey to her “desires” and occupy her time with slander, so he advises young widows to remarry and bear children. “…it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.” (1Tim 2:15) The Pastoral Epistles highlight the slanderous and deceitful innate nature of woman to solidify her role as subservient mother and wife… or else.