How Should We Understand πιστοις ανθρωποις in 2 Tim 2:2?

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The Greek word in question is used over 500 times in the NT, sometimes refering to human beings in general, sometimes to males specifically, but never to females specifically. Some examples of pointing to the male gender include, e.g., Mt 10:35; 11:8; 19:5, 10; Mt 25:24; 1Co 7:1; Eph 5:31. Only the context can tell. The Greek word for the male gender is used some 200 times in the NT, and could have been used here, but wasn't.

Nevertheless, since Paul didn't allow a woman to teach (1Ti 2:12), it is difficult to imagine Paul at this place commanding Timothy to authorize women to teach (2Ti 2:2). Although not related logically, the connection between one of the qualifications of a pastor (i.e., "fit to teach" [1Ti 3:2]), interestingly enough, is equivalent to the qualification of those to whom Timothy is to commit this teaching (i.e., "fit to teach others also" [2Ti 2:2]).

Interestingly, one of the adjectives used to describe elderly Christian women has to do with "teaching good" (Tit 2:3), but the objects of their exhortation is determined in the following verse, i.e., the younger women. The only place where the verb "to teach" (DIDASKW) is used of a woman is Re 2:20.

 

I think this passage will be decided by one's theological presuppositions. Grammatically and according to the lexicons, it could go either way. :type:

 

How about a revolting idea!

You think just maybe a woman could actually have the spiritual gift of pastor/teacher??

Ed

 

We are not in disagreement, for I agree, as I said, that only the context may tell, and in this case I attempted to show that the context can tell.

As for Acts 18:26, much has been written on this by those of both the complementarian and egalitarian standpoints. Of the figurative use of the verb in question, precious little is known. Does it mean "expound," or does it mean "relate" or "testify" as it almost certainly does in Acts 11:4? Can we even know from this verse that Priscilla was materially involved (i.e., she EXEQETO Apollos), or do the verbs simply comply grammatically since Acquilla and Priscilla were both mentioned as hearing Apollos in the synagogue, not to mention that both are always mentioned together as a couple (6 times)? But actually this isolated event, though interesting if one is excited by the complementarian/egalitarian debate, has little to do with the context of Paul's instruction to Timothy in 2Ti 2:2 and the question of the OP.

 

I'm not sure this question would have entered Timothy's mind. The implication is that Timothy is to entrust Paul's public teachings to pastor-type people who are fit to teach others.

 

"Accurately explained" is a good translation for this passage. But then you use the word "teaching." There is quite a difference between "explain" and "teach" in my view. "Teach" indicates authority, "explain" does not. I think it is a mistake for "Biblical feminists" to use Acts 18 for their position.

 

It is not so much the "faithful people" part as it is the "fit to teach" part, as I mentioned in my first response. The "fit to teach" qualification may indicate that the ANQRWPOI are to be men, although it does not necessarily do so. If women musn't teach, why then tell them to teach? Therein lies the difficulty with assuming that ANQRWPOI must mean "people" and not "men" in 2Ti 2:2.

 

I would say the opposite, that teaching includes explaining, not that explaining includes teaching. When you explain to a traveller how to get somewhere, or to a co-worker how to run the copy machine, you have no authority.

Looking at the verse again, I do see something in the context that might apply. Paul points to how he himself taught Timothy, which is man to man. Then he says to Timothy that you (singular) must teach others. It seems to me that Paul means Timothy should continue the man-to-man process (bearing in mind that this is a pastoral epistle). But as I said before, ultimately the translator's theological presuppositions will govern the translation.

I agree. :type:

 

Quite simply, I believe Paul is telling Timothy to pass along what he has learned to other faithful men, that they may teach others. To let scripture interpret scripture, it is clear that Paul means men here and not women, as he was specific about women teaching elsewhere.

Also, I get the sense that Paul is concerned here about passing the torch down through generations of the church, which would also rule out humankind.


I like the NET Bible, it does a great job in places. But I think they got this one wrong.

:godisgood:

 

Interestingly enough, the Japanese word for to teach (oshieru) has a wide range of meaning, everything from teach to tell to explain. My impression of the English word "teach" is that it is usually used for an authority-submissive relationship, but can be used in a light sense for "explain/tell," as in your illustration. However, if you say, "My little boy taught me how to kick the ball," everyone knows you don't really mean he is your teacher. So "teacher," if not "teach," to me definitely has the authority meaning in it, as in Japanese, where sensei (literally, "first-born one") in its proper use always means one in authority.

What is important, though, is the range of meaning of didasko. My impression here is that didasko has a narrower range of meaning than the English word "teach," though it would take me a lot more research to prove it. Check out Louw-Nida on it:

"διδάσκω ; διδαχή a , ῆς f ; διδασκαλία a , ας f : to provide instruction in a formal or informal setting - `to teach, teaching.' διδάσκω· κύριε, δίδαξον ἡμᾶς προσεύχεσθαι `Lord, teach us how to pray' Lk 11.1. διδαχή a · ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ ἔλεγεν `as he taught (them), he said' Mk 12.38. διδασκαλία a · ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν ἐγράφη `everything written formerly (in the Scriptures) was written to teach us' Ro 15.4."

It's a point of view. At this point I disagree, but not strongly.

Surely you would agree that we have good reason for this label! But that is something for another thread, another time.

 

I feel like I am getting a seminary educacion just reading this thread! Thanks for the scriptural enlightenment!