"Then again, Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles, not to the Jews. A particular gift of the Holy Spirit which IMHO, might provide a substantial amount of authority to his writings."
No question. All Christian denominations use Paul's letters as part of scripture. Some, sadly, use them PRIMARILY, often ignoring the Gospels almost altogether except at Christmas and Easter.
Paul wrote in two ways in his epistles. Sometimes, he was writing to a specific individual, as in the two letters to Timothy. At other times, he was writing to a church.
Timothy was a sometimes companion to Paul, and those letters are sometimes quite personal. For me, when I was interpreting the epistles, I paid close attention when Paul wrote in the first person. When he said "I don't like something," then I always took it as a personal message, not a matter of doctrine. When he wrote in a more general way, not bringing himself into it, it seemed to me that his words could be taken as a general statement, that would apply to all.
In almost all cases where Paul is discussing the role of women, he speaks in the first person. I think that is a telling point. Paul, personally, never married, and really didn't think that anyone should, unless they could simply not avoid sinful sexuality unless they did. He said that HE would not allow a woman to teach in church. He did NOT say that women could not teach in church.
These are real distinctions. Paul's instructions to the far-flung churches in the Gentile world are very interesting, but must be read carefully if Paul's intent is to be clear.
My perspective is that pastor-teacher is a gift from the Holy Spirit, just as some may have a gift of helps, or of administration, or discernment, or evangelicism. These being spiritual gifts from God, through the person of the Holy Spirit, given to each and every believer per God's plan and Providence.
Some have one gift and not another, others may have several, and those with more have more responsibility to use those gifts.
Many of the questions regarding women in ecuminical church offices, seems to be driven more by a worldly thinking, rather than simply walking in the Spirit.
I see passages where women indeed have equal spiritual status, but not necessarily the same or equal gift as men. I see where women may have organized bodies of believers, or helped in administering a church or financing its operation, but not the teaching and pastoring of a flock by faith and action of the Holy Spirit through them as an agent of God.
As I understand it, it is analogous to insisting men cannot go into labor and give childbirth. One might simply state that through faith in Christ, but there is no need to become worldly and arrogant and frustrated, thinking that such a belief reflects an inherant bigotry and animosity towards women.
As I understand it, some note that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. And, that one could not be a member of the Sanhedrin without being married.
Seems unclear as to whether his wife died, left him for his becoming a Christian or whatever.