2:13

Adam was formed first, then Eve: Paul refers to the order of creation to help explain why Christian women should not “teach or . . . exercise authority over a man” in the congregation. (1Ti 2:12; Ge 2:7, 18-22) Paul argues, not that Jehovah made Adam better than Eve, but that God created Adam first. Jehovah assigned him a role; he was to be the family head. Later, God made Eve and also gave her a role of honor, that of being “a helper for” her husband, “a complement of him.” (Ge 2:18) Paul indicates that the headship arrangement was part of Jehovah’s original purpose for humans; it was in place before humans sinned and became imperfect. (1Co 11:3) Paul’s reasoning suggests that in the Christian congregation too, God has given different assignments to men and women.