Page 468 - Demo

2:9 The injunction to women to be silent was typical of the attitude towards women in the ancient world. If we look at the New Testament as a whole, we see that statements like this one are not the norm. Jesus interacted with women in a way that was revolutionary in his culture (see John 4, for example), and Paul mentions many women—both married and unmarried—with respect as coworkers, supporters, and even fellow ministers in the Church (see Romans 16:1). This spectrum of views of women should be kept in mind as we read this passage. It should also be observed that the fact that the letter includes this injunction to silence demonstrates that women did indeed speak in some Christian communities, which would have been quite counter- cultural in the ancient world (see I Corinthians 11:5, Romans 16:1-2).
CHAPTER 2
f. [2:7] Acts 9:15; 1 Cor 9:1; Gal 2:7–8.
g. [2:9] 1 Pt 3:3–5.
h. [2:10] 5:10; 1 Pt 3:1.
i. [2:11–12] 1 Cor 14:34–35.
j. [2:13] Gn 1:27; 2:7, 22; 1 Cor 11:8–9.
k. [2:14] Gn 3:6, 13; 2 Cor 11:3.
l. [2:15] 5:14.
CHAPTER 3
a. [3:1–7] Ti 1:6–9.
b. [3:3] Heb 13:5.
c. [3:7] 2 Cor 8:21; 2 Tm 2:26.
d. [3:11] Ti 2:3.
 TIMOTHY -
8* It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. 9Similarly, [too,] women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes,g 10but rather, as be ts women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds.h 11A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control.i 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man.* She must be quiet. 13For Adam was formed rst, then Eve.j 14Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.k 15But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.l
3Quali cations of Various Ministers.
1* This saying is trustworthy:* whoever aspires to the o ce of bishop
a2
desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,
married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, 3not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.b 4He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; 5for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? 6He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil’s punishment.* 7He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil’s trap.c
8* Similarly, deacons must be digni ed, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, 9holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10Moreover, they should be tested rst; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11Women,* similarly, should be digni ed, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything.d 12Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. 13Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much con dence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
*[2:8–15] The prayer of the community should be unmarred by *[3:1]Thissayingistrustworthy:thesayingintroducedissounlike
internal dissension (1 Tm 2:8); cf. Mt 5:21–26; 6:14; Mk 11:25. At the liturgical assembly the dress of women should be appropriate to the occasion (1 Tm 2:9); their chief adornment is to be reputation for good works (1 Tm 2:10). Women are not to take part in the charismatic activity of the assembly (1 Tm 2:11–12; cf. 1 Cor 14:34) or exercise authority; their conduct there should re ect the role of man’s helpmate (1 Tm 2:13; cf. Gn 2:18) and not the later relationship of Eve to Adam (1 Tm 2:14; cf. Gn 3:6–7). As long as women perform their role as wives and mothers in faith and love, their salvation is assured (1 Tm 2:15).
* [2:12] A man: this could also mean “her husband.”
* [3:1–7] The passage begins by commending those who aspire to the o ce of bishop (episkopos; see note on Phil 1:1) within the community, but this rst sentence (1 Tm 3:1) may also imply a warning about the great responsibilities involved. The writer proceeds to list the quali cations required: personal stability and graciousness; talent for teaching (1 Tm 3:2); moderation in habits and temperament (1 Tm 3:3); managerial ability (1 Tm 3:4); and experience in Christian living (1 Tm 3:5–6). Moreover, the candidate’s previous life should provide no grounds for the charge that he did not previously practice what he now preaches. No list of quali cations for presbyters appears in 1 Timothy. The presbyter-bishops here and in Titus (see note on Ti 1:5–9) lack
certain functions reserved here for Paul and Timothy.
others after this phrase that some later Western manuscripts read, “This saying is popular.” It is understood by some interpreters as concluding the preceding section (1 Tm 2:8–15). Bishop: literally, “overseer”; see note on Phil 1:1.
* [3:6] The devil’s punishment: this phrase could mean the punishment once incurred by the devil (objective genitive) or a punishment brought about by the devil (subjective genitive).
* [3:8–13] Deacons, besides possessing the virtue of moderation (1 Tm 3:8), are to be outstanding for their faith (1 Tm 3:9) and well respected within the community (1 Tm 3:10). Women in the same role, although some interpreters take them to mean wives of deacons, must be digni ed, temperate, dedicated, and not given to malicious talebearing (1 Tm 3:11). Deacons must have shown stability in marriage and have a good record with their families (1 Tm 3:12), for such experience prepares them well for the exercise of their ministry on behalf of the community (1 Tm 3:13). See further the note on Phil 1:1.
* [3:11] Women: this seems to refer to women deacons but may possibly mean wives of deacons. The former is preferred because the word is used absolutely; if deacons’ wives were meant, a possessive “their” would be expected. Moreover, they are also introduced by the word “similarly,” as in 1 Tm 3:8; this parallel suggests that they too exercised ecclesiastical functions.
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