Cheryl Schatz

There are always “possibilities” of what is meant by the text. But “possibilities” usually have holes that keep them from being understood as the real meaning. Here is where I see the holes. If Paul left Timothy behind in Ephesus to stop the teaching that was going on, we might find an addition something like this:

1 Timothy 1:3 (NAS)
As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, …[and certain women not to teach in an authoritative way to men although they may teach in an authoritative way to women]

If teaching in an “authoritative” way was wrong if you aren’t an expert on something, then why were these “women” only restricted from teaching men this way? Why not also stop them from teaching women authoritatively?

Secondly, it appears that Paul’s concern was not “authority” but false teaching. In verses 4 & 6 Paul specifically mentions myths and endless genealogies which give rise to speculation and empty discussion.

1 Timothy 1:4 (NAS) nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

1 Timothy 1:6 (NET) Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.

In these verses Paul did not state that myths and endless genealogies give rise to unauthorized authority. He could have added that if it was a key issue.

In verse 7 of chapter 1 Paul specifically makes a point of the Law that some wanted to teach.

1 Timothy 1:7 (NAS) wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

Note here too, Paul didn’t say that these ones wanted to be teachers with authority. And he doesn’t deny that some may be teachers. He only mentions that these ones are confidently teaching errors because they do not understand the purpose of the law.

The lawful use of the law was to bring knowledge of sin, not to bring perfection.

1 Timothy 1:8–10 (NAS)
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

It appears clear to me that Paul’s concern was not an an “authority” that a person had, but the rightful use of the law as a tool to bring a person to Christ rather than to bring a person under bondage. Those who were to be stopped from teaching were bringing people into confusion. Are we to see Paul as stopping godly people from teaching true doctrine just because they did not yet have an acceptance from the church to teach? I can’t reason my way through that because Paul had in another place said that he was glad that he gospel was being preached even though the motives of preaching the gospel was to harm him. The preaching/teaching of the truth was never stopped no matter who taught the truth. Paul never ordered a man to be stopped from preaching the truth even if their motive was to hurt him. Certainly such a one would have no “authority” or trust in the congregation, but they were allowed to proclaim the gospel. So, was Paul really concerned about an “authority” that women had not yet earned? Or was he only concerned about false doctrine?

More in a bit….