The Meaning of 1 Timothy 2:12 Explained

1 Timothy 2:12

KJV: But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

YLT: and a woman I do not suffer to teach, nor to rule a husband, but to be in quietness,

Darby: but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness;

ASV: But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  I suffer  not  a woman  to teach,  nor  to usurp authority  over the man,  but  to be  in  silence. 

What does 1 Timothy 2:12 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 2:1-15 - Prayer And Modest Adorning
The Apostle especially urged intercessory prayer, because it meant so much to himself. Three different words are used of prayer, because there are so many ways of approaching God. It is our duty to pray for those in authority, and to seek after a calm and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. It was most important that Christians should not be suspected of revolutionary designs or civic turbulence. If they had to suffer, it must be only on account of their religious faith. The solidarity of our race is the reason for our wide-embracing supplications. The whole race is one in the creation of God and the ransom of Christ; we are therefore one with all men, and should express in prayer the common sins and sorrows of mankind.
The men were bidden to lead in public prayer, and to see that the hands they uplifted were clean, while the women joined quietly after the Eastern fashion. There was nothing revolutionary in Paul's teaching. He was content, in minor matters, to conform to the usages of his age, though promulgating doctrines which would ultimately revolutionize the position of womanhood. A holy married life, with the bearing and training of children, is, as a rule, the appointed path for woman, and this will lead to their salvation through faith in the Holy One who was born in Bethlehem. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 2

1  Instruction to pray and give thanks
9  How women should be attired
12  They are not permitted to teach
15  They shall be saved if they continue in faith

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 2:12

I permit not [ουκ επιτρεπω]
Old word επιτρεπω — epitrepō to permit, to allow (1 Corinthians 16:7). Paul speaks authoritatively. [source]
To teach [διδασκειν]
In the public meeting clearly. And yet all modern Christians allow women to teach Sunday school classes. One feels somehow that something is not expressed here to make it all clear. Nor to have dominion over a man (ουδε αυτεντειν ανδρος — oude authentein andros). The word αυτεντεω — authenteō is now cleared up by Kretschmer (Glotta, 1912, pp. 289ff.) and by Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary. See also Nageli, Der Wortschatz des Apostels Paulus and Deissmann, Light, etc., pp. 88f. Αυτοδικεω — Autodikeō was the literary word for playing the master while αυτεντεω — authenteō was the vernacular term. It comes from αυτεντες — auṫhentes a self-doer, a master, autocrat. It occurs in the papyri (substantive αυτεντης — authentēs master, verb αυτεντεω — authenteō to domineer, adjective αυτεντικος — authentikos authoritative, “authentic”). Modern Greek has απεντες — aphentes = Effendi = “Mark.” [source]
Nor to have dominion over a man [ουδε αυτεντειν ανδρος]
The word αυτεντεω — authenteō is now cleared up by Kretschmer (Glotta, 1912, pp. 289ff.) and by Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary. See also Nageli, Der Wortschatz des Apostels Paulus and Deissmann, Light, etc., pp. 88f. Αυτοδικεω — Autodikeō was the literary word for playing the master while αυτεντεω — authenteō was the vernacular term. It comes from αυτεντες — auṫhentes a self-doer, a master, autocrat. It occurs in the papyri (substantive αυτεντης — authentēs master, verb αυτεντεω — authenteō to domineer, adjective αυτεντικος — authentikos authoritative, “authentic”). Modern Greek has απεντες — aphentes = Effendi = “Mark.” [source]
Suffer [ἐπιτρέπω]
Lit. turn over to; thence, permit. See 1 Corinthians 14:34. [source]
Usurp authority [αὐθεντεῖν]
N.T.oolxx, oClass. It occurs in late ecclesiastical writers. The kindred noun αὐθέντης onewho does a thing with his own hand, Wisd. 12:6, and also in Herodotus, Euripides, and Thucydides. Ἁυθεντία right3 Maccabees 2:29. The verb means to do a thing one's self; hence, to exercise authority. The A.V. usurp authority is a mistake. Rend. to have or exercise dominion over. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 2:12

1 Corinthians 14:34 Keep silence in the churches [εν ταις εκκλησιαις σιγατωσαν]
The same verb used about the disorders caused by speakers in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:28) and prophets (1 Corinthians 14:30). For some reason some of the women were creating disturbance in the public worship by their dress (1 Corinthians 11:2-16) and now by their speech. There is no doubt at all as to Paul‘s meaning here. In church the women are not allowed to speak He calls it a shame Certainly women are still in subjection But somehow modern Christians have concluded that Paul‘s commands on this subject, even 1 Timothy 2:12, were meant for specific conditions that do not apply wholly now. Women do most of the teaching in our Sunday schools today. It is not easy to draw the line. The daughters of Philip were prophetesses. It seems clear that we need to be patient with each other as we try to understand Paul‘s real meaning here. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 2:12 mean?

To teach however a woman not I do permit nor to use authority over a man but to be in quietness
διδάσκειν δὲ γυναικὶ οὐκ ἐπιτρέπω οὐδὲ αὐθεντεῖν ἀνδρός ἀλλ’ εἶναι ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ

διδάσκειν  To  teach 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: διδάσκω  
Sense: to teach.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
γυναικὶ  a  woman 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: γυνή  
Sense: a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow.
ἐπιτρέπω  I  do  permit 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐπιτρέπω 
Sense: to turn to, transfer, commit, instruct.
οὐδὲ  nor 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
αὐθεντεῖν  to  use  authority  over 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: αὐθεντέω  
Sense: one who with his own hands kills another or himself.
ἀνδρός  a  man 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἀνήρ  
Sense: with reference to sex.
εἶναι  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἡσυχίᾳ  quietness 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡσυχία  
Sense: quietness.

What are the major concepts related to 1 Timothy 2:12?

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