Next, one must examine why women are prohibited from preaching the word of God. The prohibition of women teaching or preaching comes from Paul’s letter in 1 Timothy 2:12 “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” Susan Foh, in her article argues that this passage does not limit women from any form of teaching other men, but rather that; “what is forbidden to women in 1 Timothy 2:12 is the exercise of authority” Nevertheless, Foh argues that the context in which Paul was writing, he was addressing the church and the practice of worship. Thus, she concludes that the specific type of activity that is meant by “teaching and having authority” refers to the office of elder, including pastor-teacher.
