Yes, I'm well aware that Mary delivered our Savior in the literal sense, and at the same time, our Lord works in parables, proverbs, metaphors, and symbolism to convey and bring understanding to us. Mary was everywhere that Jesus went. She wasn't mute. She was right alongside those in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit SUDDENLY fell upon the 120 "waiting" there. (BTW, how can something be "sudden" if you were already "waiting" there for it? (Smile!))
Yes... amen... ok.... My feeble understanding regarding 1 Timothy 2 was that, as these are LETTERS to specific churches, that these were the issues that these specific churches were dealing with, e.g., Ephesus, in this case?.... And so there, the women were taking over, if you will, asking questions during the teaching, gossipping, etc. So things had to be set in order for them to learn and "study to be quiet and obedience along with everyone else" (verse from The Message). Here it is forbidding them to TEACH. And then think about it this way: what's the point of studying and learning something without the opportunity to APPLY IT? And yes, there several ways to APPLY it, e.g., knowing how to live, teaching to the children at home, and yes, sharing the gospel with others, in and out of the church/pulpit.
Further, Timothy goes on to say "On the other hand, her childbearing brought about salvation, reversing Eve." (verse in 1 Timothy 2 from The Message). The birth, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ FULFILLED and the voids of the Old Testament covenant, bringing the husband and wife to walk, work, and live BESIDE each other.... Yes, we are the "weaker" vessel, but only in BODY FORMATION (we don't have as much muscle as men), but the Lord has also anointed women to do a great work. 1 Peter 3:7 says: "The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God's grace, you're equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don't run aground."
One biblical example of this "equality in ministry" is Aquilla and Pricilla. Here are SIX references about them. You don't see them mentioned separately from one another. Acts 18:2; Acts 18:18; Acts 18:26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; and 2 Timothy 4:19.
With regard to the office of a bishop, yes, according to the criteria listed, it would seem that such an office is reserved for a man. But bishops do much more than teach. They oversee churches, some might even plant churches moving in an apostolic realm. These criteria DO NOT speak about forbidding women to teach.
I'm not sure what you mean when you say "hold council"....
