Why?

Genesis 1:27
Genesis 2:24
Ephesians 5:21-33
Colossians 3:18
Titus 2:5
1 Timothy 2:9-15
1 Peter 3:5

These verses above are generally the most referenced passages involving gender roles in the church. Feel free to add passages that you think are relevant.

For some of us, the issue of gender roles involves studying Greek, which is often helpful and sheds light on many things we don't understand. Some of us do intense word studies, cultural studies, even study the theological impetus for the gender debate in order to find out what the Bible teaches. In my own experience, the question that is often missed is "why?" Why do we study a passage and debate over its meaning without pausing to ask why it's even there? While not the magic key to understanding all, finding out why the Bible says what it says certainly should be a part of the discussion.

I'll take the more controversial passages and add a why: 1 Tim. 2:12-15 (actually just the second half of the passage)
Why were women not allowed to teach or have authority? Why must they be silent? I go with Bilizikien on this one when he offers that the prohibition was situational, which seems to make sense. The text strongly indicates that women were disrupting church/Sabbath with their uneducated insights and perhaps claiming special knowledge from God. Why would you want uneducated and inexperienced women teach and preach what they do not know fully? Such women should be silent. Vs. 13 is sticky, I'll admit. But if you look at it in light of the fact that the first limitation and revelation was given to Adam, who was then should have protected Eve from deception with that revelation, then women have no business citing special knowledge from God that contradicts what God has already revealed.

This is just one way of looking at it. So, what's your why?