but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness;
Commentary for this Verse
Paul is writing about order in God's house — how men pray, how women dress and learn, and who may teach. Two questions run through the commentary: how far does this rule reach, and why does Paul give it?
How far the restriction reaches
Commentators note that Paul does not tie this instruction to the church meeting. He roots it instead in how God made man and woman. That widens its reach.
William Kelly"I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." This is not limited to the church meeting. Paul traces the reason for it back to how woman was made and to her nature. One woman may be more able and better taught than another. Even so, no woman is ever given leave to teach or to rule over a man. She is to be quiet.
The word behind "authority"
Some older English versions read "usurp authority." That wording can suggest Paul only bars a woman from grabbing authority she was never given. One commentator looks at the word Paul used and rejects that reading.
William KellyThe Greek word does not mean "usurping" power. It means having or using authority at all... The woman is not set in authority, nor is she to act as if she were.
The ground in creation
Paul's stated reason is the order of creation: God formed Adam first, then Eve. Writers point out that this takes the whole question away from talent or worth.
Leslie M. GrantThis is simply order in God's creation. It raises no question of who is morally better or worse, and no question of ability. It is God's order, and breaking it brings disorder... It is in fact her glory to be in quietness.
The lesson of Eden
The second reason Paul gives is that Eve was deceived, while Adam was not. Commentators are careful to say this does not excuse Adam. If anything, it makes him worse.
William KellyThe man may have been in a certain sense worse. He followed the woman in wrong against God, where he ought to have led her in obedience; and he did it knowingly. She was completely deceived; he was not. So her weakness, and the harm it can do to man, give one more reason why she should stay quiet, neither teaching nor ruling.
One writer shows the lasting effect of that first deception, quoting an earlier writer's short summary:
Arno Clemens Gaebelein"More easily deceived, she more easily deceives." When she leaves the place Paul gives her here, she is quickly deceived, and she then deceives others.
Subjection and worth
The verse is easily heard as a verdict on ability. Several writers answer that reading, and point to Christ Himself as the proof.
Michael HardtMen and women are of equal value, but their roles are not the same... Being subject has nothing to do with being inferior. The best example is the Lord Jesus Himself. He was subject, but in no way inferior.
The sphere that remains open
The commentary does not treat this verse as shutting women out of service. It marks off one place — public teaching and rule over men — while pointing to a wide field elsewhere.
C E StuartPaul does not forbid private service in helping with the Word. Priscilla with her husband helped Apollos. Among other women she also has a place to serve. It is only before men, and in the church meeting, that she must keep her place and follow God's order.
Another writer adds that the restriction leaves far more open than it closes:
C KnappWomen have no reason to complain about the limits God sets on their service. There is more work for them to do than they can ever finish.
Summary
- Order, not rank. Paul's reason is the order of creation: Adam first, then Eve. It says nothing about who is better, worse, or more able.
- Root, not culture. The reason reaches back to how God made us. So writers read the instruction as going beyond the church meeting to any public setting where men are present.
- Exercise, not seizure. The Greek word means having or using authority, not just grabbing it. So "I only use authority, I don't seize it" is no defence.
- Warning, not blame. Eve was deceived, and Adam sinned with his eyes open. His guilt was greater. Still, her being deceived stands as the warning against her taking the lead.
- Boundary, not banishment. Christ Himself was subject, and in no way inferior. Within these limits, the writers see more service open to women than they could ever finish.