Two texts in Paul's letters are often used to argue against preaching, teaching, and leadership ministries for women. Disruptive questioning by wives, especially in public, was regarded as indiscreet and a breach of etiquette. Paul's concern is about appropriateness, order, and edification. Many scholars believe that when these two verses are examined in the entire paragraph, their prohibition of women teaching and exercising authority in the Church emerges not as an absolute injunction but as a localized, limited instruction to restrict abusive activity. It does not restrict teaching and exercising of authority by women in the Church.
Balance seeks the total witness of the Bible to inform theological thought.
Consistency asks for an approach to all biblical texts in the same way so as to offset blind spots and biases. It is imperative that the full evidence of Scripture and an understanding of balance and consistency in interpretation be applied to our understanding of the partnership of women and men in the ministry of the Church. Men and women are called to be partners in Christian life and ministry. This is the biblical message as given in the creation story, in Jesus' life and ministry, in the early church, and in Paul's preaching and teaching. In neither Old Testament nor New Testament times did society practice such partnership between men and women.