Since Adam was created first, doesn’t that mean he is in charge?
The root of this question lies in the church’s practice of using 1 Timothy 2:11-14 to interpret the creation events of Genesis (chapters 1-3). While this is understandable, we should seek to interpret the creation events on their own terms, and in their own context. This is important because unlike the early writers of the Christian Scriptures (New Testament), modern day Christians have a limited understanding of the Old Testament. Each book of the New Testament was written by people very familiar with God’s work in history as depicted in the Old Testament. They sought to apply this knowledge of these ancient texts to their particular situations, as in the case of Paul’s advice in 1 Timothy 2. It causes confusion to interpret the creation narrative through the lens of 1 Timothy 2:11-14. Instead, it is important to interpret 1 Timothy 2:11-14 through the “whole arc of Scripture” when reading the passages that seem to limit women’s shared leadership. These readings will also provide you with a new look at Creation. Let’s get started!
Short Answers to Genesis 1-3
Genesis 1-3 contains nothing that suggests that man, because he was created first, was designated by God to function as the authority, or leader of woman. If we argued on the basis of this claim, then we would have to say that the plants and animals were to have authority over human beings because they came before the creation of humans.
God created Adam first: Genesis 1-3 contains nothing that suggests that man, because he was created first, was designated by God to function as the authority, or leader of woman. If we argued on the basis of this claim, then we would have to say that the plants and animals were to have authority over human beings because they came before humankind.
Short Answers to 1 Timothy 2:11-15
Paul was addressing a particular problem specific to the church at Ephesus in which false teaching was resulting in inappropriate behavior. Paul was not giving a universal order to all women of all time not to teach nor have authority over a man, but was ordering that women do not assume superiority over men or promote false teachings. Women should learn first, being educated in the faith before they teach.
Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.
Taking it Deeper
To learn more on the creation of Eve, read:
Created in God’s Image: Theological and Social Impact
26 Then God said, “Let us make a human being in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”