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Some have attempted to evade the force of Paul’s prohibition by arbitrarily supposing that AUTHENTEIN should properly be translated “abusive authority.” Women according to that view, can exercise authority over men as long as it is not abusive authority. A study of extra biblical uses of AUTHENTEIN, however, makes clear that the word means simply authority (MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1 Timothy, Moody Press, Chicago, 1995, p. 87.). Dibelius-Conzelmann says the meaning of the word is “self-assured,
firm conduct,” that is, the word means “to have authority.” This implies she cannot be an elder in a church since scripture says elders have the responsibility to be the leaders - to oversee (1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-13). Women can be leaders in women’s ministries and function in other roles as leaders under the oversight of elders, but not as leaders over men.
Can She Teach Under Someone?
Since the Greek word for “to teach” denotes not a single act of teaching but a "process,” the text simply says that a woman cannot have a position as a teacher over men, nor is she to have a position of authority over men. Some have interpreted the passage to mean that a woman cannot have an authoritative position as a teacher of men. The Word of God is considered to be authoritative and thus the teacher of the Word of God who says, “Here is what the Lord says” is in a position of authority. The prophets, the writers of scripture, and the apostles spoke with authority.
Both verse 11 and 12 have the situation in mind, where women are not to teach authoritatively, but are to learn quietly. The closing remark of verse 12 makes this conclusion clear by summing up both verses with a single short statement: “she must be silent.” We conclude, therefore, that Paul intended that women should not
be authoritative teachers in the church. This position is sometimes expressed positively saying a woman can teach as long as she is teaching under the pastor’s authority or the authority of the church board. If one says that a woman can teach as long as she is under the authority of a pastor or the board, is it suggested that male teachers are not under the authority of the elders for what they teach? Is it not true that all who teach should already be under the authority of the elders? It appears that this passage is not talking about women teaching under someone or with authority. The issue is that she cannot teach in the church.
Is She Prohibited From Teaching Authoritatively?
Some have erroneously suggested that 1 Tim. 2:12 is referring to “authoritative teaching.”
Consequently, they say it is not possible for a woman to teach
men authoritatively in our culture since the teaching of God’s
Word is not as authoritative in our culture as it was in the New
Testament period. They say authoritative teaching means the listener
blindly obeys the teacher. It is reasoned the teachings of the
apostles were absolutely binding on the listener. In short, the
listener must blindly follow what was taught. This perspective is ignores the fact that the New Testament Bereans were “more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, {to see} whether these things were so (Act 17:11).” Notice that Paul
had apostolic authority and yet they reviewed and evaluated what
Paul taught. The conclusion is that the listeners in Paul’s day
were not blindly obedient, and people are not blindly obedient
today. That is, teaching is no more and no less authoritative
today than it was in Paul’s time. |
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