Thread by @NicolasGold1

1 Timothy is to Ephesus. Note 2:8-11, Paul uses plurals men (v.8) & women (vv.9-10), switches to the singular (woman) in v.11, suggesting he may be refer to a specific case. Unlike English, Greek doesn’t need a definite article to be definite, so it can read “the woman.” 1/15

The Greek words for woman & man here can mean "wife" & "husband" depending on the context. The word for “exercise authority” in v. 12 is αὐθεντεῖν, which, then meant “bully," "domineer." It’s not the usual word for "authority over" (see 1 Cor 6:12; 7:4; note Luke 22:25f). 2/15

Now, “to teach” … Paul began his letter w/ concerns about people teaching strange doctrines or “heterodoxy” (1:3). He’ll use this word again in 6:3. He also mentions “doctrines of demons” in 4:1. So it’s possible Paul is referring to false teachings in 2:12. 3/15

That possibility is strengthened w/ v.14, in which Paul uses the example of the serpent deceiving the woman in Gen3. Being “deceived” (exapatao) implies something false, not true (2 Cor 11:3-4; Rom 16:17-18). So, it’s probable the young wife is teaching false doctrine. 4/15

The probability is strengthened further w/ 5:13-15 about young women going house to house, saying improper things (v.13) & following Satan (v.15). Considering Priscilla instructed Apollos w/ doctrine in Acts18:26 (in Ephesus) it’s highly likely Paul refers to false teaching. 5/15

Note the word “busybodies” (periergos) in v. 13. It’s only used twice in the NT. The other place is Acts 19:19 referring to those who practiced magic. In Acts 19, Paul is in Ephesus. One word, used only twice, both in Ephesus. 6/15

In Acts 19, Paul is confronting evil spirits (vv. 12-16) and converting those practicing “magic.” Paul’s conversions were hurting the business of those who made silver shrines to the goddess Artemis (vv. 24-25). Ephesus was THE city of Artemis, with a major shrine to her. 7/15

Artemis was the goddess of fertility, chastity, the hunt, young women (note 1 Timothy 5:11-15), and childbirth. IMPORTANT: Young women worshipped Artemis, seeking her protection through the dangers of childbirth. 8/15

Back to 1 Timothy 2, “the wife” shouldn’t bully or teach false doctrine to “the husband.” “But she [singular] will be preserved through childbirth if they [plural] continue in faith …” IMPORTANT: “she” & “they.” Who is she, and who is they? 9/15

“She” is the young wife, and “they” is the young wife AND her husband from v. 12. “Preserved through childbirth” … See Artemis of Ephesus, goddess of young women and preservation through childbirth back above. 10/15

Here’s what's going on: A young Christian wife is pregnant & understandably fears the dangers of childbirth. In her fear, she begins to worship Artemis for preservation & begins to bully her husband w/ false teachings so that he will join her - again for her preservation. 11/15

Note how Paul addresses the problem: A wife being deceived, encouraging her husband to do wrong, dangers of childbirth … So, of course, Paul picks Genesis 3:1-4:1 – note especially 3:16 & 4:1 about dangers in childbirth and being helped thru it by God. 12/15

Paul doesn’t condemn the young woman – he has compassion. He understands the fear and danger involved. He says she shouldn’t bully or teach false doctrines to her husband, adding the wife will be preserved thru childbirth if the wife & husband both continue in the faith. 13/15

Paul understands the real world dynamics in play. He stops the sinning but wants to heal the breach between this couple, encouraging the wife that God will protect her if the couple continue in the Faith. 14/15

This is the best explanation. It conforms to all of the letter & Acts 19. It explains why women instruct men on doctrine elsewhere in the bible. The passage coheres better, particularly grammatical numbers. And it thoroughly explains the curious “saved thru childbirth” 15/15.