gengwall

Craig – authenteo appears only once in the NT, in this verse. You are correct that comps view this as “normal” and “good” authority. Every Greek dictionary and lexicon proves otherwise. Here are the possible definitions from the lexicon on blueletterbible.org

1) one who with his own hands kills another or himself
2) one who acts on his own authority, autocratic
3) an absolute master
4) to govern, exercise dominion over one

It should be clear that this is not a benevolent authority. Surely, it would not be any more correct for a male in the church to exercise this kind of authority over anyone, let alone his wife.

It is also true that egals do not believe that any kind of authority should be exercised between believers, benevolent or otherwise. But that is not the main egal objection to this word. It is the dark malevolent nature of the authority this word expresses that proves it simply can not be the kind of benevolent authority comps believe is tolerable in marriage or the church. We are more interested in how comps have mischaracterised the word than we are in a general conversation about authority at this point in the passage. It comps took the word at its true meaning, they would disapprove of authenteo even if it was a male exercising it and they would reject the exercise of authenteo anywhere in the Body.