Many today have a great disdain for the Apostle Paul’s teachings. He commands us to not deprive our spouses of intimacy and it’s not based upon our feelings but living in obedience to the Lord. He commands women to submit to and obey their husbands and be keepers at home. He tells us that women are to be silent in the churches and not teach nor be in authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12). (No, women are not to be preachers and teachers of the Word. I found another verse that supports this: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” – 2 Timothy 2:2. Do you notice the word “men”?) He explains that women are more easily deceived, thus many women today despise his teachings and say that he was just a woman-hater.

Paul also commands that women dress modestly. (Yes, I do believe women can cause men to lust. I realize many women don’t want to think that they are responsible for causing others to sin but we can and this is why we are commanded to not be a stumbling block for others.) He teaches us to be shamefaced and not draw attention to ourselves. He tells us to have meek and quiet spirits. God knew we needed to be taught this because it’s completely opposite of our normal tendencies. We like to rule the roost, draw men’s attention by the way we dress, and speak our minds, but we will never find true joy when we are living apart from the Lord’s ways.

Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit so all of his teachings are straight from the mouth of God. Many fail to understand that we wouldn’t have the Church if Paul didn’t write what he wrote. There would be no elders or deacons who were called to be men of integrity and the husbands of one wife. If it weren’t for Galatians, we wouldn’t understand that we are no longer under the Law but under the law of grace and mercy. If it weren’t for Romans, we wouldn’t know that we are dead and freed from sin and now walk in newness of life. There’s also a good likelihood that he wrote the book of Hebrews in which we learn the superiority of Christ over the priests and the Judaic system and that we must continue to believe until the end. We wouldn’t have the joyful book of Philippians and knowing we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and so on.

Yet, many women would love to do away with his teachings because of his instructions to women. Since the Holy Spirit spoke through him and God is the one who created male and female, Paul was given direct information about the differences between men and women and the perfect role for both of them. Being at home with our children, submitting to our husbands, and being silent in the churches are not oppressive. They are perfect for us! They make for order, decency, well-raised children, and strong marriages.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16