Cheryl Schatz

Jay, I agree that if there was a situation where assumed authority was a problem, it seem much more reasonable that Paul would forbid an action “assuming authority” over anyone, not just men. It is untenable to think that Paul would only be concerned about the men in the congregation, while thinking that the women can handle themselves and maybe there might be some good correction when women assumed authority over other women. It just doesn’t make sense. And if Paul was already stopping men (and women) from assuming authority by his restriction in 1 Timothy 1:3, there would have been no need to single out all women in 1 Timothy 2:12.

I find other people’s theories interesting, but I always go back to my own understanding of 1 Timothy 2:12 because I don’t like these huge holes in other theories. And if I can find the holes in the arguments, complementarians won’t likely be convinced either.