William Burkitt's Expository Notes

1 Timothy 2:11

Still our apostle is directing Timothy how persons should and ought to manage themselves in the public assemblies, and particularly how women ought to behave themselves at the time and in the place of worship. Let, says he, the women in your assemblies, learn in silence, with all subjection to the better sex; for I suffer not. woman to teach publicly, and to usurp authority over the man, to whom God has given authority over her; but rather according to her duty, let her learn in silence.

Here note, 1. That it is only women's public teaching that is here forbidden; not their private teaching their children, or servants, or the younger women, or even their husbands themselves upon. fit occasion. Acts 18:26, we find Priscilla privately instructing Apollos.

Note, 2. That none ought to teach but who have authority; and teaching is exercising that authority.. woman therefore teaching publicly, doth usurp an authority not due unto her.

Note, 3. There were some women in the Jewish church endowed with extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, and particularly with the gift of prophesying, who did teach publicly; as Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and Anna. And it is probable, that the speaking of these extraordinary women encouraged others to do the like, whom the apostle here directs his speech against. I suffer not. woman to teach, nor to usurp authority &c.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

William Burkitt's Expository Notes

1 Timothy 2:11

Old Testament

New Testament