# Wives - Respect Your Husbands ## tl;dr If men will lead and women will respect them, solutions to most of our other problems will present themselves! ## Background There has been a lot of chatter on X recently about women teaching men or exercising authority over men. The discussion seems to be centered around Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 2.12, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet." This isn't a new controversy. It has been going on for ages and lots of books have been written on the subject. However, at least in my mind and spirit, I believe the Holy Spirit has showed me the key. ## Notes I think the root behind Paul's prohibition of women teaching men / exercising authority over men is best explained by Paul in Ephesians 5.33b; "the wife must respect her husband." Most men crave respect. Most men react either very negatively when disrespected or they have long since given up and shutdown / escape. Among other factors the choice to escape explains the absentee father epidemic! I acknowledge that often when a woman exercises authority over a man, it is because he abdicated that authority. The story of Deborah in the Old Testament is a prime example. However, all this started in Genesis 3. - Although not expressly stated, based on Eve's responses to the serpent, it would appear Adam did not adequately communicate God's commands. {Genesis 3.2-3} - Apparently, Adam abdicated his authority from the beginning of this story. He was present when Eve was deceived and took the bite! {Genesis 3.6b} - Then, Adam abdicated his authority, again and followed Eve rather than leading by taking a bite. Who knows what would / could have happened if Adam had refused the fruit Eve offered and plead to God that He would forgive her. {Genesis 3.6b} - Later in the story, - God pronounced a judgement on all of us via Eve: "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." In essence, there will forever be a battle of the sexes! {Genesis 3.16b} - God also expressly judged Adam and by extension all of us men for listening to Eve and following her rather than obeying Him {Genesis 3.17} ## So What!?! Despite mankind's disastrous beginnings, I believe Paul is offering a means of dealing with the consequences. First, both sides, men & women have lots of obeying to do ... obeying scripture that is Specifically, - Both men & woman - Submit to one another {Ephesians 5.21} - Men - LEAD! Lead your families, lead your wife! Lead in all aspects of your life! {The entire Bible is filled with examples of good and bad male leadership} - Teach your families & your wife! Make sure they know what the Bible says; not what some preacher, some commentary or post on X says, not even what this post says! The Bible is the ONLY source of TRUTH! {Deuteronomy 6.7} - Don't abdicate your responsibilities {Again, lots of good & bad examples in the Bible} - Women - Most importantly, respect your husband! {Ephesians 5.33b} If men will lead and women will respect them, solutions to most of our other problems will present themselves!