1 Timothy 2:13-14 (NKJV)

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

Adam was formed first

As we see from the beginning of creation man was the first creature created by God, followed by woman (this is the original creative order of God).

When God created Eve, He placed her under Adam’s protection, but when Eve stepped out of Adam’s authority and acted out of order, she fell into sin.

Therefore, the Biblical view of women implied in Pauls letter to Timothy is that they should be under the protection / care / authority / control of men. In no way does this make them inferior or different as a race, any more than being submissive to the Father made Christ any less.

In accordance with Paul’s statement and the book of Genesis, men are to lead in love, and women are to submit in love. This is God’s design.

Why is it that humanity is constantly looking to overturn the God-ordained pattern? It’s because we’re rebellious and sinful. This is the curse of sin manifesting itself.

There are times in informal meetings and Bible studies when men and women can share equally in exchanging questions and insights. However, when the church comes together as a body to worship God, His standards are clear: men are to lead.

The woman being deceived?

1 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV)

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

The verse above references the Genesis creation account and also states that Eve (the primary cause of the fall) was deceived rather than Adam, which is another reason why women cannot serve as pastors or have spiritual authority over men.

It does not mean that women are gullible or that they are more easily deceived. If that were the case, why would the Bible allow them to teach children (who are also easily deceived) and other women (who are supposedly more easily deceived as well)? The prohibition against women teaching men or holding spiritual authority over them is not based on their capacity or intelligence, but rather on the order of creation and the specific mention in Scripture that Eve was deceived.

Adam and Eve both sinned in the Garden of Eden, but Eve clearly sinned first. Yet the Bible never blames Eve for the fall of the human race, but always Adam (through one man sin entered the world, Romans 5:12). The difference in authority makes Adam responsible. Adam had authority Eve did not have; therefore he also had a responsibility Eve did not have. It was Adam who failed in his responsibilities in a far more significant way than Eve.

While Eve was fooled and sinned, Adam rebelled and sinned with full knowledge of his action. In other words, while Adam’s sin was worse, Eve’s ability to be deceived more readily made her a greater threat in authority.