Frank

Cheryl, an observation on 1 Tim. 2:12 based on 1 Cor. 7:17-31. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul talks about “the rule of conduct” for congregational relationships and practices that he lays down for all the churches (1 Cor. 7:17). Then in 7:25-31, he responds to the question as to what engaged couples should do in the light of the eschatological end in which the Church lives between now and the 2nd coming of Christ. When he addresses this issue, having stated his general rules, which are based in the teaching of Jesus himself, Paul says, “Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are…” (1 Cor 7:25-26, NIV). Since he is addressing a specific issue, limited to a certain place and time, and since no general command of the Lord Jesus exists to address, Paul, by the wisdom of the Lord granted him by the Spirit of Christ ” (i.e., “the mercy of the Lord” to which he refers), he gives an hoc rule that suits this issue and its attending circumstances.

Now, 1 Tim. 2:8-15, we have the same pattern of general rules for the churches, rooted in Paul’s own teaching and practices, with a specific situation considered and ruled on in vv. 11-15. In 2:1-10, such is the wording that the “rule of conduct for prophesying,” which we recognize in its full form in 1 Cor. 11-14, is here given in summary form, because it was teaching Timothy was well acquainted with and needed no further instruction on (Cf. 2 Tim. 3:14-4:5). But such is the subject and language in 1 Tim. 2:11-15, that it is clear that Paul is no longer focused on general rules arising out of the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, but is again, by the Spirit of Christ, giving a word of wisdom and a ruling that addresses the specific situation that Timothy is facing in Ephesus at the time and on which he sorely needs advice and counsel. So this something else we need to keep in mind regarding this passage.