Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
How Genesis 2-3 Helps Interpret 1 Timothy 2:9-15
To help all see how the foundation is needed before building the rest of Paul’s inspired argument, let’s see how it works. Admittedly, what I am presenting is just the bare minimum of interpretive work, but it should show the benefits. Since 1 Timothy 2:9-15 is a essential yet controversial text, how does Genesis 2-3 help interpret 1 Timothy 2?
2:9) “Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, (CSB)
• There is a probability Paul is referencing the way Ephesian women dressed in pagan worship. But of all the things Paul could have referenced, such as Cultic fornication, he references dress. Even though the dress condemned is over dressing (immodest), it is also under dressing (indecent). The Genesis story does involve improper dress (Genesis 3:7).
2:10) but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.
• Literally, “worship God” is godliness which means “reverence for God’s goodness”. Isn’t that exactly what the serpent challenges and Eve believes? (Genesis 3:1-5).
2:11) A woman is to learn quietly with full submission.
• The only one who learned quietly with full submission was Adam (Genesis 3:17).
2:12) I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet.
• This is exactly the opposite of what Eve did. She gave, he listened, he ate (Genesis 3:6,17). She gave, he listened, he ate (Genesis 3:6,17). Could Eve’s actions be the reason Paul used such an unusual word for authority? Authenteó literally, “self-appointed (acting without submission)”. Eve appointed herself as head.
2:13) For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
• Primogeniture, “rights of the first born” (Genesis 2).
2:14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.
• This is inspired commentary on Adam, but the original account does show Eve is deceived (Genesis 3:1-6). The point isn’t that Eve (and therefore women and wives) were/are inferior by being more gullible. The point is this is an example of what went wrong. Adam not being deceived doesn’t qualify him as the authority any more than Eve being deceived disqualified her.
2:15) But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.”
• Childbirth is mentioned in the curses (Genesis 3:15-16). This is considered by some as Paul’s most difficult verse. While it needs filling out, it fits into the first temptation narrative.
It is evident Paul bases his reasoning on the first couple (2:13-14). Therefore if Paul is basing all his comments on Genesis 2-3, this shows that the speaking forbidden is that which takes the position of authority. While Genesis 3 is the reversal of Genesis 2 (we’ll discuss in class), 1 Timothy 2 reverts back to creation order found in Genesis 2. This is an example of how helpful it is to see the inspired reasons for the inspired conclusions.
Comments