The post, “Elders in the Church,” raised the issue of women serving as elders. In that thread, a commenter made a reference to 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Here are those verses from the English Standard Version.
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”
In this section of Scripture, Paul provides two reasons for his guidelines concerning women and men in the church. 1)Adam was formed first, then Eve, 2)and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
People often use the words “order of creation” to classify the first reason. But what do we do with that second reason? What is Paul saying by highlighting the deception of Eve?
Balaam's Ass 