1Ti 2:11-15 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Tim 2:11-15: 2:11-15 Paul is still talking about women in the assembly—here, in their relationship to public teaching (cp. 1 Cor 11:2-16 ; 14:33-36 ; 2 Cor 11:3 ).

Summary for 1Tim 2:11-15: 2:11-15 ^a Paul is still talking about women in the assembly—here, in their relationship to public teaching (cp. 1 Cor 11:2-16 ^b; 14:33-36 ^c; 2 Cor 11:3 ^d).
2:12 ^e teach men or have authority over them: The relationship between teaching and authority depends on how both are understood. Women did teach (Titus 2:3-5 ^f), but there are no clear New Testament examples or endorsements of women teaching men in church meetings (cp. Acts 18:26 ^g; 1 Cor 14:34-35 ^h; Phil 4:3 ⁱ). We know it was happening in some of the churches only by way of Paul’s opposing responses. Women did prophesy (Acts 2:17-18 ^j; 21:9 ^k; 1 Cor 11:5 ^l), but some types of prophecy might not have been seen as authoritative teaching (Acts 11:28 ^m; 21:10-11 ⁿ; 1 Cor 14:29 ^o).

• have authority over them (or usurp their authority): This verb can denote either a domineering attitude or simply the exercise of authority.
2:13 ^p The most common understanding of this verse is that Paul believes social roles are attached to the man being created first (Gen 2:7 ^q, 22 ^r; 1 Cor 11:8-12 ^s). Paul’s logic has usually been tied to the leading role of the firstborn son in the Old Testament. However, there are exceptions to the rule of firstborn even in Scripture (see Gen 27–28 ^t). And while gender retains its distinctions in the New Testament, there is also an element of equality in Christ (Gal 3:28 ^u; see also 1 Cor 11:11-12 ^v; 12:13 ^w; Eph 5:21 ^x; Col 3:11 ^y).

• It is also possible that the heretics asserted a reversal of gender status in Christ relative to the surrounding culture, giving what would have been viewed as objectionable dominance to women. Paul’s allusion would then function to discredit this assertion and reestablish balance.
2:15 ^z will be saved through childbearing (or will be saved by accepting their role as mothers, or will be saved by the birth of the Child): The most likely explanation for this statement is that the false teachers had stirred up trouble in households (see 1 Timothy Book Introduction, “Setting”), and Paul was calling these women back to proper relations within their homes, in keeping with the truth of the Good News (see 1:4-5 ^aa; 4:1-5 ^ab). In so doing they would be saved in the ultimate sense (see 4:16 ^ac; cp. 3:13 ^ad). This verse might allude to Gen 3:15-16 ^ae, suggesting a reversal of the curse, either through normal childbirth or the birth of the Messiah.