1 Timothy 2:12

[Capuchinfan1337]

Ok, I wondering how misogynistic this passage is and why?

 

[bzkoss236]

Ok, I wondering how misogynistic this passage is and why?

It was just the time period. Men and woman had specific roles in society, plus as part of the curse of the Fall, men are said to rule over women, which seems to still be evident in today’s society. Though it is definitely much better now than it was then.

Paul was actually probably a progresstivist for his day by encouraging women to take up roles in the Church (think women religious).

 

[heidi_storage]

Certainly not misogynistic; in the sight of Christ, there is neither male nor female–that is, we are all equally valued before God, who gave himself for men and women alike–but we do have different roles. As for Paul, note his apparent regard for Priscilla (wife of Aquila) in Acts, Romans, and Timothy, as well as for Phoebe and the other women mentioned in Romans 16. What’s really demeaning to women is to treat them as if they were men (defective men–not as strong, and with funny body parts) instead of women.

 

[zz912]

1 Tim 2:8 It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. 9 Similarly, [too,] women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds. 11 A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control

First, you have to understand the context, the audience he is talking to, and the intended message. The entire epistle is giving instruction to Timothy on how to maintain order, and how to organize the parishes under his authority. They were bringing in many Christians from pagan religions who were bringing in many different parts of their former religions. So they had issues with women trying to take authority positions over the priests, or to teach/preach the homilies in Mass. They had issues with the fertility cult practices. And from the sound of it, they may have had an issue with unorganized prophesies and shouting during the liturgy, or remnants of pagan fertility practices. St. Paul was forcefully and correctly stamping this out. He was telling Timothy to get the parishes in order, and that the priest has authority in the parish and especially in Mass.

This letter and several others cannot be read through our 21st century eyes, we simply won’t understand the epistle correctly. We have to understand the context, the audience, and the issues prevalent at the time.

 

[bogeydogg]

1 Tim 2:8 It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. 9 Similarly, [too,] women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds. 11 A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control

First, you have to understand the context, the audience he is talking to, and the intended message. The entire epistle is giving instruction to Timothy on how to maintain order, and how to organize the parishes under his authority. They were bringing in many Christians from pagan religions who were bringing in many different parts of their former religions. So they had issues with women trying to take authority positions over the priests, or to teach/preach the homilies in Mass. They had issues with the fertility cult practices. And from the sound of it, they may have had an issue with unorganized prophesies and shouting during the liturgy, or remnants of pagan fertility practices. St. Paul was forcefully and correctly stamping this out. He was telling Timothy to get the parishes in order, and that the priest has authority in the parish and especially in Mass.

This letter and several others cannot be read through our 21st century eyes, we simply won’t understand the epistle correctly. We have to understand the context, the audience, and the issues prevalent at the time.

There was also the problem that in Greco-Roman culture most women who had ever been seen at a place of worship were either Vestal Virgins or Temple Prostitutes. For Paul to assert that women have a right and chaste place in the Church, marriage, culture and are not to be abused or treated as livestock but instead equals in Christ and under His order was actually really a revolutionary idea.

Remember women had no rights in this culture at all and so for Paul to assert they are co-equal in Christ was probably pretty shocking.

God Bless