Day 14 - I Timothy 2:11-12

A Daily Devotional Study of Paul's 1st Letter to Timothy

Paul's Liberating View of Women

h 1 Timothy 2:11-12    h

¹¹Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. ¹²And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

T

hese are some of the most controversial verses in Scripture. Wrenched from their historical and literary setting, these verses have been used throughout history to marginalize women and exclude them from teaching and leadership roles in the Church. When considered in their context, however, it is clear that Paul is not making a universal statement applicable to all women everywhere. These verses, rather, are tied to the situation that he and Timothy are confronting in Ephesus.

Paul Addresses A Particular Woman

In vs. 8-11, there is a progressive change in the words Paul uses to address different groups among the believers in Ephesus. In vs. 8, he addresses the men and uses the plural word for males, andras. Then in vs. 9-10, he addresses the women and uses the plural form, gunaikas. Then beginning with vs. 11, he changes to the singular and addresses a woman, using the singular form, gunē. This has led some commentators to postulate that Paul is addressing a particular woman in Ephesus, one who is a ringleader of the false teaching. Instead of turning her over to Satan, as he did the two men in chapter one, Paul instructs Timothy to let her learn in silence with all submission. In his excellent commentary, The IVP Background of the New Testament, Craig Keener points out that the way for any disciple to learn was with a quiet and teachable attitude, and that what is counter-cultural here is Paul advocating the education of a woman, something almost unheard of in the ancient world.

Silence Does Not Mean “No Talking”

The Greek word for “silence” in these verses is hesuchia and it is the same word used in 2:2 where it is said to be God’s will for all His people. It refers to a life without upset, tumult, and turmoil. Paul wants this woman to be able to learn in a quiet and peaceful environment, without upset and turmoil.

Authentein, a Strange Greek Word

The word “authority” in v. 12 is a translation of the Greek word authentein, a word found only this once in the New Testament. The normal New Testament word for “authority” is exousia, a word Paul uses over 100 times in his letters. This is the only place that Paul, or any New Testament writer, uses this word. This fact begs the question; “If Paul is addressing the normal exercise of authority in the Church, why doesn’t he use the normal word that he and all other Biblical writers commonly use? Why does he use this strange word?” The answer seems obvious. The fact that he uses this different and strange word is another indication that he is addressing the unique situation that exists in Ephesus at the time.

Conclusion

There will be more on this passage in tomorrow’s posting, but for now, suffice it to say that Paul is addressing a local situation that exists in Ephesus at the time—the situation he spoke of in 1:3. He is most likely addressing a woman who is propagating false teachings. The temporary solution is to stop her from teaching. The long range solution is let her learn without upset and turmoil. To, therefore, apply this verse to all women everywhere is a clear example of the terrible ramifications of lifting a Scripture out of its historical context. Paul actually had a liberating view of women in Christ as we shall see in further postings.

Prayer &Reflection

O Lord, we thank you for the freedom you have purchased for both men and women through Your death and glorious resurrection. Help us to lay aside our prejudices and traditions in this area and rightly divide the word of truth, as your servant Paul admonished us in II Timothy 2:15. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!