One argument made by complementarians is that their interpretation is the most accurate because it is the plain reading of the text. At one time this argument did intimidate me. But it doesn’t any longer. Why?

Because the same people who will pull this out as a trump card don’t live by the plain reading of the text in many parts of Scripture. Let’s look at some examples. 

Matthew 6:5-13

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

So then, this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

So anyone who prays with an open door or outdoors or away from home or prays more than the above words is not keeping with the plain meaning of the text.

Luke 14:25-27

Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.

So I hope the person reading the plain meaning of the text hates their parents and spouse and children.  And they better be carrying a cross around.

Romans 16:16

Greet one another with a holy kiss

I am sure everyone who reads the plain meaning of the text is doing this in their church, aren’t you?

Matthew 5:27-30

You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.

Where are all the people missing eyes and hands?

Matthew 5:23-24

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

So the plain meaning folks are bringing gifts to the altar. And they are also leaving and coming back if they remember someone has something against them, right?

Titus 2:9-10

Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.

Obviously the Underground Railroad was a big mistake to the plain text people.

Okay, Sallie, we get it. We know that sometimes the plain meaning doesn’t work.

Great. So let’s look at another one.

1 Timothy 2:8-15

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.

Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

So reading the plain meaning of this passage, we know men should pray with their hands lifted up. Women should not wear gold or pearls. Women will be saved through childbearing (not Jesus) and only if they perform the works listed out there. That’s the plain meaning of the text.

Except the very people who will point out the plain meaning of verses 11 and 12 will say that the plain meaning doesn’t apply to the verses immediately preceding and following them. So they want it both ways. They want to say that of course that verse doesn’t mean to literally lift hands. And it is okay for a woman to wear gold and pearls. But when we get to verse 11 and 12 we better read the exact plain meaning of the text.

Okay, so what is the exact plain meaning of the original text?  Because that is what matters. The original meaning of the author and his original intent for the original audience.

In John Zens’ book What’s With Paul and Women? Unlocking the Cultural Background to 1 Timothy 2 we read this:

Too many people-in-the-pews read their chosen Bible translation assuming it is completely accurate and trustworthy. Leland Ryken rightly observes:

Readers who do not know the original biblical languages assume that an English translation reproduces what the Bible really says… People naturally and legitimately appeal to the English translation in their hands as constituting “what the Bible says”…. Readers of the English translation operate on the premise that they are reading what the Bible actually says.

There is absolutely nothing illegitimate about researching to better comprehend–even to confirm or deny–that a particular translation is correct. (pages 47-48)

What I find especially interesting is that many of the groups and people who appeal to the plain meaning of the text are thrilled to share the latest scientific discovery that confirms their view of Creation or the Flood or whatever. But if someone wants to discuss the cultural setting of a Scripture that might prove to discredit the traditional complementarian view on women, men, headship, etc. then they hastily rebuke the person. These very same people will claim their opponent is just trying to explain away the plain meaning of the text or is looking for an excuse not to follow the Bible. Again, they want it both ways. They want to use whatever information is available to them when it suits their purposes, but they won’t allow anyone with a different view to do the same thing.

I’ll share more about the 1 Timothy 2 passage in another post and will also look at some of the excellent insights Jon Zens offers in his book.

Berean Standard Bible