11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing— if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (NIV)

‘In public worship it becomes the woman to be silent and submissive – that is part of her true dignity – not to try to take over the reins and direct the man.

The tragedy of the Fall establishes the general truth that a woman is more easily deceived than a man; so it is out of place for her to take the lead in settling either doctrine or practice’

AM Stibbs, Senior New Testament Lecturer, Oak Hill College New Bible Commentary Revised (1970) IVP

‘Many evangelicals view all biblical passages about the role and ministry of women though the lens of 1 Timothy 2:12. It becomes the key verse on women, the one on which all others turn’. Kroeger & Kroeger, 1992

What does the TEXT say?

What is its CONTEXT?

What does the rest of the BIBLE say?

‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free; for you are all one in Christ Jesus’.

Galatians 3:28

He’s not talking to you, silly!

‘No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit’ 2 Peter 1:20-21

Fragment of John 18:31-32

Stored in the John Rylands Library, Manchester

From a codex found in Egypt that dates from c 125 AD

1:4 Myths & genealogies (origins) 1:7 Jewish influence – the Law 2:9 Women’s dress, behaviour & teaching 4:3 Celibacy and food laws 4:7 Old wives’ tales 5:13 Gossip and satanism & magic 6:3 Arguments and greed 6:20 ‘Knowledge’

A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”  28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar.

Acts 19:24-28

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing— if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (NIV)

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing— if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (NIV)

Mt 7:28 ‘the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he taught as one who had authority’

Mt 8:9 ‘I myself am a man under authority’

Greek: Εξουσια - exousia

V12 διδασκειν δε γυναικι ουκ επιτρεπω ουδε αυθεντειν ανδρος αλλ ειναι εν ησυχια

V12 didaskein de gynaiki ouk epitrepo oude authentein andros all einai en hesychia

1 Timothy 2:12 Greek (Koine)

To begin something To be primarily responsible for a condition

or action (especially Murder) To dominate To usurp power or rights from another To claim ownership or authorship

‘I do not permit a woman to teach that she is the originator of man but she is to be in conformity [with the scriptures].’

OR ‘I absolutely do not allow a woman to teach [someone] to maintain that she is the author of a man.’

OR ‘I do not allow a woman to teach or proclaim herself author of man’.

‘Is there any other major doctrine in the Bible which depends on only one verse?’

‘And is it true that the understanding of this verse is dependent on the translation of just one verb which is used only once in the entire New testament?’

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing— if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (NIV)

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women [she] will be saved through childbearing— if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2:11-15 (NIV)

‘A female is a deformed male’

‘Women should not be enlightened or educated in any way’

‘Only the male knows and loves God’

‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor free; for you are all one in Christ Jesus’.

‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’

Galatians 3:28 and 5:1