1 Timothy 2:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

but I do not permit a woman to teach a man or exercise authority over him; rather, she is to remain at peace.

Berean Standard Bible:

I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} I suffer^{G2010} not^{G3756} a woman^{G1135} to teach^{G1321}, nor^{G3761} to usurp authority^{G831} over the man^{G435}, but^{G235} to be^{G1511} in^{G1722} silence^{G2271}.

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Commentary for 1 Timothy 2:12

1 Timothy 2:12 is a verse that has been the subject of much debate, particularly in discussions about gender roles within the church. The verse reads, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." This statement is part of a letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, written to Timothy, who was overseeing the church in Ephesus.

In its historical context, the verse reflects the patriarchal society of the time, where men held authority in public and religious spheres. The instruction for women to remain silent and not teach or have authority over men likely aimed to maintain social order and the expectations of the Greco-Roman culture regarding gender roles. The letter's intent was to provide guidance on proper conduct within the early Christian communities.

The themes of the verse include the roles and behaviors considered appropriate for men and women in the church. It suggests a hierarchy where men are positioned as leaders and teachers, while women are encouraged to adopt a more submissive role. This verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history, with some churches taking it as a timeless command that prohibits women from holding certain leadership positions, while others view it as a culturally specific directive that is not binding on contemporary Christian practice.

Modern interpretations often consider the broader context of Paul's writings, the cultural milieu of the time, and the overall message of the Bible regarding the value and equality of all people before God. Some scholars argue that Paul's instructions were meant to address specific issues in Ephesus, such as false teachings or the disruption of worship, rather than to establish universal and unchanging gender roles within the church.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2010
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιτρέπω
   Transliteration: epitrépō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-trep'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and the base of τροπή; to turn over (transfer), i.e. allow:--give leave (liberty, license), let, permit, suffer.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1135
   There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γυνή
   Transliteration: gynḗ
   Pronunciation: goo-nay'
   Description: probably from the base of γίνομαι; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1321
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διδάσκω
   Transliteration: didáskō
   Pronunciation: did-as'-ko
   Description: a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb (to learn); to teach (in the same broad application):--teach.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3761
   There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐδέ
   Transliteration: oudé
   Pronunciation: oo-deh'
   Description: from οὐ and δέ; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:--neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as.
   
7. Strong's Number: G831
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐθεντέω
   Transliteration: authentéō
   Pronunciation: ow-then-teh'-o
   Description: from a compound of αὐτός and an obsolete (a worker); to act of oneself, i.e. (figuratively) dominate:--usurp authority over.
   
8. Strong's Number: G435
   There are 279 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνήρ
   Transliteration: anḗr
   Pronunciation: an'-ayr
   Description: a primary word (compare ἄνθρωπος); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.
   
9. Strong's Number: G235
   There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλλά
   Transliteration: allá
   Pronunciation: al-lah'
   Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1511
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἶναι
    Transliteration: eînai
    Pronunciation: i'-nahee
    Description: present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2271
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡσυχία
    Transliteration: hēsychía
    Pronunciation: hay-soo-khee'-ah
    Description: feminine of ἡσύχιος; (as noun) stillness, i.e. desistance from bustle or language:--quietness, silence.