You will find very few writings by people who actually received Paul's letters. And writings done in the area of the churches done a century or more later should not have nearly the same weight as the Scripture itself. We know how a generation or two even in our time can radically change the dynamics of what really happened. I'm not saying these early fathers were not good people. They heroically fought the doctrinal battles of their day and laid down doctrine as their world was being radically changed and their views are integral to our understanding. However, reading their insight (impacted by their pagan-driven culture) is not nearly as important as reading Scripture itself. Current-day exegesis done by the power of the Holy Spirit should not be discounted or minimalized.
I believe that we’re talking past one another here Siena. I don’t discount or even minimize modern exegesis out of hand, especially if done in conjunction with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but I likewise don’t undervalue the testimony of those first believers, even if they were surrounded by an extremely pagan world. Remember though, I’m a fundamentalist at heart and will not accept a change to the traditional understanding of a verse or passage without extremely solid support for an altered understanding of it. I’m not saying that I’m completely against it, just that I’m not going to change my mind just because someone makes a new claim. So far, while I have seen some evidence to support the understanding that you suggest, I find just as much evidence to speak against that view as well, including the actions of those females who have claimed the title of “Pastor”. It’s going to be an uphill battle for you to convince me that you’re right, but if you are, then the Holy Spirit will guide me to it.