ἄλλα

Summary

ἀλλά ("but, rather, on the contrary") in 1 Timothy 2:12 introduces the positive alternative to what Paul prohibits: "but to be in quietness (hēsychia)." The alla-clause reveals Paul's intent — redirecting from a specific problematic behavior toward the positive posture of receptive learning. This structure points to a corrective, situational instruction rather than a universal permanent prohibition.

In the WIM context (articles 337 and 340), alla is crucial in two passages: (1) In 1 Tim 2:12, Paul writes "I do not permit a woman to teach nor to exercise authority (authenteō) over a man, alla [but] to be in quietness (hēsychia)." The presence of alla signals that the positive alternative (hēsychia, being in a learning disposition) is set against the negated activities (teaching in a certain mode, authenteō). Egalitarians like Bartlett argue that the alla-clause reveals the intent: Paul is redirecting from a specific problematic behavior toward the positive posture of receptive learning — pointing to a temporary, corrective instruction rather than a universal permanent prohibition. (2) In 1 Cor 14:34–36, Paul uses alla similarly: "It is not permitted for them to speak, alla let them ask their own husbands at home... What?! (ē) Did the word of God come out from you alone?" The particle ē (or) at v.36 functions as a sharp Pauline refutation, with alla having set up the rhetorical foil. Understanding the grammar of alla is essential to reading 1 Tim 2:11–12 as either (a) a blanket prohibition with a positive substitute or (b) a corrective instruction addressing a specific Ephesian problem. See also: ouk...oude, hēsychia, epitrepō.