Click Here & Make this
Your Start Page!
Thank You!

Analyzing Pauline Traditions

Paul of Tarsus and the Origins of Syncretism in the Christian Church

—  Page 2  —

Why Did Paul Forbid Women From Speaking In His Churches?

1 Corinthians 14:33b-40 reads,

^14:33b As in all the assemblies of the saints, ^14:34 let your wives keep silence in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the Law also says. ^14:35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly. ^14:36 What? Was it from you that the Word of Elohim went out? Or did it come to you alone? ^14:37 If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the Commandment of YHWH. ^14:38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. ^14:39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking with other languages. ^14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Paul shows, in 1 Corinthians 14:33, that these traditions he was here delivering were not confined just to the Corinthians, but were applicable to all the assemblies of the saints that he had an influence in.

Is It Insubordination Against Her Husband For A Wife To Speak In The Assembly?

In 1 Corinthians 14:34 Paul forbade wives from speaking in the assemblies. To further support his tradition, he appealed to "the law," though he did not specify which specific provision of the Law he appealed to for support. [ There is none! ] As far as Paul was concerned, the place for wives to learn was at home from their husbands. Their role in the assemblies was one of just learning in silence! To him, a wife who speaks in the assembly is not being subject to her husband, and is thereby manifesting insubordination against her husband. Now, is it insubordination against her husband for a wife to speak in the assembly? Seeing that Paul forbade wives from speaking in the assemblies, did he also forbid unmarried women from so speaking, or were these free to speak, seeing that they did not have husband to learn from at home, or who they would be insubordinate to?

Is It Shameful For A Woman To Speak In The Assembly?

In 1 Corinthians 14:35 it appears that Paul forbade even unmarried women from speaking in the assemblies, seeing that he says that it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly. Seeing that unmarried women are women, it appears that Paul's traditions excluded all women from speaking in the assemblies under his influence. [ Was the freedom in Messiah he talked so much about only for men? ]

Was Paul In Order While Equating His Personal Opinions With YHWH's Word?

In 1 Corinthians 14:37 it is noted that Paul was not prepared to brook any opposition to his traditions, asserting for them the status of YHWH's Word. Nevertheless, where in YHWH's Word are these traditions that Paul was delivering to the assemblies to be found? If easily found in YHWH's Word then there would be no valid objection to these traditions, and no need to claim that they were indeed YHWH's Word, when indeed they are not, but simply his own inconsistent opinions, which he himself previously asserted were his own opinions and not YHWH's Word. In other words, Paul is found not to have been consistent with respect to the "authority" of his traditions as delivered to the assemblies!

When Was The Law To Cease To Exist?

Galatians 3:19-29 reads,

^3:19 What then is the Law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the Promise has been made. It was ordained through angels [ ??!! ] by the hand of a mediator. ^3:20 Now a mediator is not between one, but Elohim is one. ^3:21 Is the Law then against the Promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a Law given which could make alive, most assuredly righteousness would have been of the Law. ^3:22 But the Scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. ^3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed. ^3:24 So that the Law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 3:25 But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. ^3:26 For you are all sons of Elohim, through faith in Christ Yeshua. ^3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ^3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Yeshua. ^3:29 If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's Seed and heirs according to promise.

The teaching that Paul delivered to the Galatians, as seen in Galatians 3:19, implies that prior to transgressions there existed no law. Also, that its existence was envisaged to be for a temporary period, ceasing to exist once the seed to whom the promise had been made had come. Is this the case? Was the Law to cease to exist upon the coming of the seed to whom the promise had been made? In Galatians 3:23-25 Paul reiterates that with the coming of Christ the Law has ceased to have authority over those it previously had authority over. In other words, it is of no consequence to them. Is this the case? Did the Law cease to have authority, with the coming of Christ, over those it had authority over prior to the coming of Christ?

Is The Law Of Moses A Yoke Of Bondage?

Galatians 5:1-10 reads,

^5:1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ^5:2 Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. ^5:3 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole Law. ^5:4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the Law. You have fallen away from grace. ^5:5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. ^5:6 For in Christ Yeshua neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. ^5:7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? 5:8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. ^5:9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump. ^5:10 I have confidence toward you in YHWH that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

Paul's words in Galatians 5:1, and his preceding words, suggest that Christ has freed the Galatians from a yoke of bondage — implying the Law. For it is the Law of Moses that includes circumcision, which he speaks of in Galatians 5:2-6. Have those who have received Christ been liberated from being under the authority of the Law of Moses, especially if they had been under the authority of the Law of Moses prior to Christ's coming and their receipt of him?

Is It True That If You Observe One Aspect Of The Law Of Moses
You Become Obligated To Observe It In Its Entirety?

In Galatians 5:3 Paul testifies that those who receive circumcision are obligated to do the entire law. Why does Paul pick only on the circumcision provision of the Law of Moses, and not on other provisions? Is Paul saying that if anyone accepts one provision of the Law of Moses then he is obligated to do all of it? On what basis in YHWH's Word does Paul make this comment? Or is it, as he emphasizes in Galatians 5:2-3, his own opinion, possibly devoid of YHWH's authority? If it is his own opinion devoid of YHWH's authority, why is he teaching this to the assembly in Galatia?

What Is Paul's Definition Of Truth?

As far as Paul is concerned in Galatians 5:7-8, anyone who receives any provision of the Law of Moses, especially the circumcision provision, has departed from obeying the "truth". But how does Paul define what he here calls "truth"?

Who Authorised Circumcision?

Paul asserts in Galatians 5:8 that the persuasion of receiving circumcision is not from YHWH. Does he have proof from YHWH that this is not YHWH's persuasion, or is Paul just giving his own opinion, and delivering this to the assembly in Galatia as YHWH's Word, without necessarily showing that it indeed is YHWH's Word?

Are Those Led By The Spirit Freed From Being Under The Authority Of The Law Of Moses?

Galatians 5:11-21 reads,

^5:11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling-block of the cross has been removed. ^5:12 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. ^5:13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. ^5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ^5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another. ^5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. ^5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, that you may not do the things that you desire. ^5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ^5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, ^5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, ^5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim.

In Galatians 5:13 Paul reiterates to his audience that they were called to freedom " freedom from being under the authority of the Law of Moses, the Law that contains the requirement for circumcision. Nevertheless, he urges them not to abuse their freedom from the requirements of the Law of Moses by undertaking fleshly works, but to undertake works as led by the Spirit. He reiterates in Galatians 5:18 that those led by the Spirit are not under the authority of the Law of Moses, and are therefore free from having to abide by its requirements. Is this true? Does Paul have the authority of YHWH's Word in making these comments that he hereby does?

Was The Abolition Of The Law Of Moses The Manner
The Messiah Reconciled Israelites And Non-Israelites?

Ephesians 2:11-22 reads,

^2:11 Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands); ^2:12 that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world. ^2:13 But now in Christ Yeshua you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. ^2:14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, ^2:15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; ^2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to Elohim through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. ^2:17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. ^2:18 For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ^2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Elohim, ^2:20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Yeshua himself being the chief cornerstone; ^2:21 in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in YHWH; ^2:22 in whom you also are built together for a habitation of Elohim in the Spirit.

Essentially Paul teaches that it is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances — the Law of Moses, that separated the Gentiles from the Israelites. But Christ has reconciled both Gentile and Israelite to YHWH, and that the manner that he has done so is by abolishing "the hostility, the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances" — the Law of Moses. Is this the manner that Christ reconciled both Gentile and Israelite to YHWH — by abolishing the Law of Moses?

Why Is Paul Inconsistent With Respect To Authority As Between A Husband And His Wife?

Ephesians 5:22-24 reads,

^5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to YHWH. ^5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. ^5:24 But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.

If the husband is head of the wife, as Paul here teaches, and the wife should be subject to him in everything, how does Paul then reconcile these comments with the traditions he earlier delivered to the Corinthians? That a wife has authority over her husband's body, and therefore isn't to be subject to him in everything — at least those matters concerned with her husband's body? This is an inconsistency in Paul's teaching, which he needed to have corrected.

Paul's Qualifications For Overseers And Deacons

1 Timothy 3:1-16 reads,

^3:1 This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. ^3:2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; ^3:3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; ^3:4 one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; ^3:5 (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) ^3:6 not a novice, to avoid being puffed up and falling into the condemnation of the devil. ^3:7 Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. ^3:8 Deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. ^3:10 Let them also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, if they are blameless. ^3:11 Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ^3:12 Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. ^3:13 For those who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Yeshua. ^3:14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; ^3:15 but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of Elohim, which is the assembly of the living Elohim, the pillar and ground of the truth. ^3:16 Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great:

 Elohim was revealed in the flesh,
 Justified in the spirit,
 Seen by angels,
 Preached among the nations,
 Believed on in the world,
 And received up in glory.

How did Paul arrive at these qualifications for overseers and deacons? From his experience?

Are All Humans To Receive All Types Of Food?

1 Timothy 4:1-6 reads,

^4:1 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, ^4:2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; ^4:3 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which Elohim created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4:4 For every creature of Elohim is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. 4:5 For it is sanctified through the word of Elohim and prayer. ^4:6 If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Yeshua, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

Are all humans to receive all types of food? On what basis does Paul say this? What does YHWH say on the issue?

Paul's Experiential Advice To Single Women
Different To That He Gave In 1 Corinthians 7

1 Timothy 5:1-23 reads,

^5:1 Don't rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; ^5:2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. ^5:3 Honor widows who are widows indeed. ^5:4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of Elohim. ^5:5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on Elohim, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. ^5:6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. ^5:7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. 5:8 But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and specially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. ^5:9 Let none be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ^5:10 well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. ^5:11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; ^5:12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 5:13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. ^5:14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. ^5:15 For already some have turned aside after Satan. ^5:16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don't let the assembly be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed. ^5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. ^5:18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." ^5:19 Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. ^5:20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. ^5:21 I charge you in the sight of Elohim, and Christ Yeshua, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. ^5:22 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure. ^5:23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul discouraged single people from marrying, promoting singlehood. But here in 1 Timothy 5:11-15 he speaks quite differently to the manner he spoke then. For he discourages young single women from remaining single, encouraging them to marry. These comments here appear to be borne out of experience, while those in 1 Corinthians 7 appear to be wishful thinking devoid of experience, despite his having there asserted that he thought he was being guided by YHWH's Spirit in making those comments! It appears that 1 Corinthians 7 is predominantly Paul's personal opinions devoid of YHWH's guiding Spirit, notwithstanding the manner Paul elevated his own words therein!

Paul's Qualifications For The Elders

Titus 1:5-16 reads,

^1:5 I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; ^1:6 if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as Elohim's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; ^1:8 but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober-minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; ^1:9 holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. ^1:10 For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, ^1:11 whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake. ^1:12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons." ^1:13 This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, ^1:14 not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. ^1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. ^1:16 They profess that they know Elohim, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.