At the heart of the debate concerning women in office, all scholars and pastors address 1 Timothy 2:11-12. Those who do not affirm women in office argues that Paul specifically states "Let women learn in quietness.... I do not permit women to teach or to exercise authority over a man... she is to remain quiet." In order to best understand Paul 's statement, we must focus on three words which are "quietness (ἡσυχίᾳ),"permit (ἐπιτρέπω)," and "exercise authority (αὐθεντεῖν)."
"Quietness... (γυνὴ ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ μανθανέτω ἐν πάσῃ ὑποταγῇ:)"
Philip Payne suggests that for this reason, Apostle Paul has commanded a woman to learn in quietness, instead of professing false godliness to people along with the false teaching. It is interesting to note how the …show more content…
However, when English translates the term αὐθεντεῖν as “exercising authority,” the greek verb should be best translated as “assume authority” instead. Philip Payne argues that, etymologically, most scholars and Greek lexicographer agrees αὐθεντεῖν is the word combination of αὐτός (self) and εντες (achieve, realize). Although this compound verb began to be used for power and authority, it is highly likely that the term was used as “to assume authority.” Many of historical documents during and after Paul’s time, such as John Chrysotom (In Joannen AD 386-407), Hesychius of Alexandria (the 5th-century lexicographer), Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), and much more, used the term αὐθεντεῖν as “assuming authority” instead of “exercising authority.” Furthermore, Leontinus Hierosolymitanus, Contra Nestorianos 4.49 (PG 86:1720D), writes “we will not assume authority (αὐθεντεῖν) to call the Mother of Jesus, ‘Theotokos,’ since the Holy Scriptures nowhere address her thus, nor any of the Fathers.” Etymological root and uses of the term αὐθεντεῖν strongly suggest that Paul would have used it as “one who assume authority” than “exercising
"Quietness... (γυνὴ ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ μανθανέτω ἐν πάσῃ ὑποταγῇ:)"
Philip Payne suggests that for this reason, Apostle Paul has commanded a woman to learn in quietness, instead of professing false godliness to people along with the false teaching. It is interesting to note how the …show more content…
However, when English translates the term αὐθεντεῖν as “exercising authority,” the greek verb should be best translated as “assume authority” instead. Philip Payne argues that, etymologically, most scholars and Greek lexicographer agrees αὐθεντεῖν is the word combination of αὐτός (self) and εντες (achieve, realize). Although this compound verb began to be used for power and authority, it is highly likely that the term was used as “to assume authority.” Many of historical documents during and after Paul’s time, such as John Chrysotom (In Joannen AD 386-407), Hesychius of Alexandria (the 5th-century lexicographer), Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), and much more, used the term αὐθεντεῖν as “assuming authority” instead of “exercising authority.” Furthermore, Leontinus Hierosolymitanus, Contra Nestorianos 4.49 (PG 86:1720D), writes “we will not assume authority (αὐθεντεῖν) to call the Mother of Jesus, ‘Theotokos,’ since the Holy Scriptures nowhere address her thus, nor any of the Fathers.” Etymological root and uses of the term αὐθεντεῖν strongly suggest that Paul would have used it as “one who assume authority” than “exercising