Cheryl

Hi Sam,

The interpretation that Paul is prohibiting a wife from “talking over†or contradicting her husband in public is an interesting one. However the problem you would have with this interpretation is three-fold.

1. It gives no explanation for the connection that Paul gives for the reason for the prohibition and that is the deception and falling into sin of the first woman. How is contradicting one’s husband in public connected to the deception of Eve and her falling into sin?

2. The restriction in verse 12 is “teaching” and “authenteo” not “talking over” or contradicting. I think you would have a difficult time connecting a public contradicting of one’s husband with the word “authenteo”. Titus 1:9 gives the Greek word #483 which is the normal word that means to speak against or to contradict. Since Paul had at his disposal the regular word that would describe the action of contradicting or “talking over” her husband, it would seem extremely odd to describe the prohibition of contradicting with the extremely rare word of “authenteo.”

3. In verse 15, the salvation of “a woman” is questioned. In what way would contradicting one’s husband result in having one’s salvation questioned?

I think my interpretation of Paul restricting a particular deceived woman from teaching or influencing her husband fits the context, fits the connection to deception in chapter one and in verse 14, and gives a very understandable answer to why the salvation of “a woman” is questioned in verse 15.