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Some stuff on ITim.2:11-12

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by fortytworc, Apr 27, 2012.

  1. fortytworc

    fortytworc Member

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    Thoughts on I Tim 2:11-12

    I Tim 2:11-12
    “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.”

    On the surface this passage sounds quite clear in its restriction of women, but I would like to look at four exegetical considerations.

    I Timothy Was Written To An Individual, Not To A Church
    1). The things written in the letter are specific to Timothy’s situation. It is a "personal" letter.

    I Timothy Addresses A Personal, Local Situation in Ephesus
    2). ITim.1:3 gives the reason for this letter to Timothy. It is not to lay down a universal system of church order. It is to encourage and instruct him as he deals with a false doctrine that is being passed around among the believers in Ephesus. Paul is addressing unique issues related to Timothy and the church in Ephesus.

    A Greek Word Used Only Here Is Not The Common Word Paul Used Elsewhere
    3). That Paul was handling a unique situation is shown by the fact that the word "authority" in 2:12 is a translation of the Greek word authentein which is found nowhere else in the entire New Testament. If these instructions were intended for all the churches why doesn't Paul use the common word for authority, exousia, which he does elsewhere? Why does he use a word that neither he nor any other New Testament writer uses—The word: Original: αὐθεντέω : Transliteration: Authenteo; Phonetic: ow-
    then-teh'-o - Definition:
    1. one who with his own hands kills another or himself
    2. one who acts on his own authority, autocratic
    3. an absolute master
    4. to govern, exercise dominion over one

    The meaning of this word is not authority in general, but an undue, stolen authority. This should not be ignored.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Compare with : Original: ἐξουσία
    Transliteration: Exousia (The word Paul normally used)
    Phonetic: ex-oo-see'-ah
    Definition:
    1. power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
    a. leave or permission
    2. physical and mental power
    a. the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
    3. the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)
    4. the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)
    a. universally
    1. authority over mankind
    b. specifically
    1. the power of judicial decisions
    2. of authority to manage domestic affairs
    c. metonymically
    1. a thing subject to authority or rule 4c
    d. jurisdiction
    1. one who possesses authority 4c
    e. a ruler, a human magistrate 4c
    f. the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates
    g. a sign of the husband's authority over his wife
    1. the veil with which propriety required a women to cover herself
    h. the sign of regal authority, a crown


    The most likely answer is that Paul is dealing with the unique situation that existed in Ephesus. If he had been giving a universal rule for the church at large, he would have used the normal New Testament word for authority.

    It Appears That Paul Is Helping Timothy Deal With A Specific Woman
    4). This view is borne out by the fact that there is a change from the plural to the singular and then back to the plural in this passage. 2:9-10 Paul refers to "women" in the plural. But when he comes to the restrictive instructions of 2:11-12, he changes to the singular and refers to "a woman." Then, in 2:15, he returns again to the plural. This may indicate that, in writing this passage, Paul had a particular woman in mind who was primarily responsible for spreading the false teaching in Ephesus.

    Other Considerations

    I Timothy 2:11-12:
    “…let the woman learn” is a command in verse 11.
    Jewish custom often excluded women from the learning process, Paul said that they
    should be allowed to learn.

    …“she must be silent” at the end of verse 12 is better translated “quietness” Original: ἡσυχία
    Transliteration: Hesuchia
    Phonetic: hay-soo-khee'-ah
    Definition:
    1. quietness
    a. description of the life of one who stays at home doing his own work, and does not officiously meddle with the affairs of others
    2. silence

    As such, it does not prohibit speech..
    So, in its context, the entire verse should
    read that while a woman is learning, “I do not permit women to wrongfully teach or to
    exercise illegitimate authority over a man, but [she is] to be in humble quietness.”
     
  2. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    1 Tim was probably written by one of Paul's disciples after Paul's death. It conflicts with Acts and Paul's legit texts. Paul taught that the theological status of male and female was the same as the theological status of rich and poor was the same. All four groups had equal rights and obligations. The social barriers were removed.
     
  3. fortytworc

    fortytworc Member

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    Thanks. Something to look into. Had not considered.
     
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