What 1 Timothy Says about Women

 

In this article on the Early Christian Texts website, professor and blogger James F. McGrath considers the oft quoted portion of 1 Timothy:

“Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.” (1 Timothy 2:11-15, NRSV).

We’ve all read different takes on this passage before, including this one by Reta Halteman Finger in her Reta’s Reflections blog here on Christian Feminism Today, but McGrath includes some new information in this article. Learn the ways in which the story of Adam and Eve, as well as the early Christian text, “The Acts of Paul and Thecla,” can help us understand what is going on with this passage.

Read “What 1 Timothy Says about Women.”

 

posted by Dr. Katie M. Deaver

The Christian Feminism Today website addresses topics of interest to Christian feminists. It features articles, opinion pieces, reviews of books and recordings (audio and video), interviews with Christian women and men who live according to Christian feminist principles and promote gender equality, love, and social justice among all people. We welcome submissions for consideration. Writer's guidelines are here.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks, Katie, for this link. It’s always a pleasure to return to I Timothy, right?

    Seriously, I’m happy to read James McGrath’s insights and to learn about this website, Early Christian Texts: The Bible and Beyond, produced by @ShirleyPaulson with retired Union Seminary professor Hal Taussig and others.

    Also good to learn more about the Tanho Center for the study of early Jesus-community texts, which was mentioned by Elizabeth Schrader in last night’s Humbling Gathering lecture and discussion. All very exciting!

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