August 14, 2026 | Be Connected
A Word to Women in Ephesus
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:11-15(NIV)
11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.
Devotional
A significant milestone was celebrated this past spring. On May 4, 2026, we observed the 70th Anniversary of the granting of full clergy rights for women in the Methodist Church. In speaking of this noteworthy event, our own Bishop Tracy Smith-Malone said this,
“I carry deep gratitude for the many clergywomen who paved the way — those who persevered when doors were closed, preached when their voices were questioned and trusted God’s call even when the Church did not fully recognize their leadership.”
While this is one of the most momentous events supporting a woman’s right to lead in our denomination, it’s certainly not the first.
- John Wesley granted a license to preach to Sarah Crosby in 1761.
- The first woman ordained by a mainstream Protestant denomination, Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell, was ordained by Methodist clergy Luther Lee in 1853.
- Helenor Davisson, ordained as a deacon in 1866 in the Methodist Protestant Church, became the first woman ordained in the Methodist tradition (from Jasper County, Indiana!).
Biblically, Deborah led all Israel as judge (Judges 4-5). And Paul commends several women for their roles in leadership: Priscilla (Acts 18:26), Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), Junia (Romans 16:7), and Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3). Paul also said in Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29) which seems to promote the equality of men and women. So, how do we square Paul’s words in 1 Timothy with these examples? Paul seems to be contradicting his words recorded in other places in scripture.
According to many scholars, Paul is addressing a situation particular to Ephesus in the 1st century, not declaring a timeless principle. Ephesus was the epicenter of the cult of Artemis, where women held positions of independence and authority over men. Focus on the goddess Artemis helped shape the role of women in Ephesus. Priestesses were taught to be assertive, to worship boldly and earnestly, and were given authority to perform rituals and lead worship. Therefore, Ephesian converts from this cult to Christianity had difficulties learning new ways to worship. These verses were an attempt to teach the Ephesians, both men and women, proper conduct during worship. These limitations were not to apply to all women, everywhere, for all time.
So, while people continue to debate Paul’s meaning here, I believe in the right of all to have an equal voice, a place in leadership, and authority in the church. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the women mentioned above for paving the way for me, as a woman, to write, teach, and lead in the church today.
