In this short article, I sketch the case that 1 Timothy 2:12 says nothing, one way or the other, about whether competent women can be pastors, preachers, priests, elders, or any kind of church leader or minister.
Here are 3 reasons why 1 Timothy 2:12 may be about a particular couple in the Ephesian church and not Paul’s general thoughts on women in ministry.
The creation order of man first, woman second, as given in Genesis 2, is often brought up in discussions about the place of men and women in ministry and in marriage. What significance did Paul place on man being created first?
Timothy well knew Paul’s views on ministry. So it doesn’t make sense that 1 Timothy 2:12ff represents the apostle’s general teaching on women in ministry, a teaching that Timothy needed to be told or reminded of. What’s going on in this verse?
Does 1 Timothy 3:4a (“managing his own household well”) show that men, and not women, are to rule or manage their households? What was the role of the first church overseers and bishops?
This short post looks at the verb authenteō (authentein) in 1 Timothy 2:12. My claim is that “to have/exercise/usurp authority” is an inadequate and misleading translation.
Here is a coherent interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:12 that takes into account surrounding verses as well as documented heresies in the 1st-2nd century church.
In this article, I take a detailed look at the word authentein (translated as ‘to usurp authority’ in 1 Timothy 2:12 in the KJV). A brief history of how authent- words and how their meanings developed is included.
In this article, I look at the language of 1 Timothy 2:12 and discuss the possibility that this verse concerns an anonymous couple in the Ephesian church, rather than men and women more generally.
This is a somewhat technical look at the word presbyteroi (“elders”) in New Testament letters, including the presbyterai (“women elders”) 1 Timothy 5:2.
Is 1 Timothy 2:13 (“For Adam was formed first and then Eve”) a reason for the prohibition in 1 Timothy 2:12? Does the created order disqualify women from teaching and leading men?
Taking 1 Timothy 2:12 at face value, with no understanding of the verse’s context and challenges, can lead to a flawed interpretation. This post looks at six factors that must be considered when interpreting 1 Timothy 2:12.
This essay looks at the distinctive appearance of Artemis of Ephesus, and at what her items of clothing symbolise. A short history of the goddess is also included to help explain her importance and power.
Does the created order of man first, woman second, signify a timeless principle that only men can teach and have authority. Is the created order the reason for the prohibition in 1 Timothy 2:12?
Are Christian and gnostic-like teachings that emphasise celibacy behind Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 2:15? What does “she will be saved through childbearing” mean?
One reason I believe 1 Timothy 2:12 and 1 Corinthians 14:34 were ad hoc regulations addressing local problems is because of a particular word found in both verses.
In 1 Timothy 3:2 and in 2 Timothy 2:24 is a rare Greek word, didaktikos. This word is usually translated as “able to teach” but it may mean “teachable.”
What do Jesus and Paul say about, purity, female modesty, and the problem of male lust?
Here are excerpts from ancient Gnostic texts that present Adam and Eve in a very different light. Do they help us to understand 1 Timothy 2:13-14?
Some Ephesian women held the position of high-priestess (and other offices) in pagan cults. Did this culture of prominent women influence Christian women to behave inappropriately in the Christian community of Ephesus?
Ignoring or highlighting the word “likewise” makes a big difference in how we understand certain New Testament passages that affect women.
What does “she will be saved through childbearing” in 1 Timothy 2:15 mean? Is being a faithful follower of Jesus not enough? What does Jesus say about this?
This 5-part series takes a close look at 1 Timothy 2:12, at what it does and doesn’t say, as well as providing some cultural context. Part 1 looks at the pitfalls of using 1 Timothy 2:12 as a proof text.
It’s important for Christians not to dress in a sexually provocative way, but this was not Paul’s meaning in his instructions for modest dress in 1 Timothy 2:9.
Do the qualifications for church leaders (i.e. overseers) in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 apply only to men? Do these verses exclude women from church leadership?
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© 2021 Marg Mowczko