8. I desire (boulomai). So Phil. 1:12. The men (tous andras). Accusative of general reference with the infinitive proseuchesthai. The men in contrast to "women" (gunaikas) in 9. It is public worship, of course, and "in every place" (en panti topōi) for public worship. Many modern Christians feel that there were special conditions in Ephesus as in Corinth which called for strict regulations on the women that do not always apply now. Lifting up holy hands (epairontas hosious cheiras). Standing to pray. Note also hosious used as feminine (so in Plato) with cheiras instead of hosias. The point here is that only men should lead in public prayer who can lift up "clean hands" (morally and spiritually clean). See Luke 24:50. Adverb hosiōs in I Thess. 2:10 and hosiotēs in Eph. 4:24. Without wrath and disputing (chōris orgēs kai dialogismou). See Phil. 2:14
9. In like manner that women (hosautōs gunaikas). Boulomai must be repeated from verse 8, involved in hosautōs (old adverb, as in Rom. 8:26). Parry insists that proseuchomenas (when they pray) must be supplied also. Grammatically that is possible (Lock), but it is hardly consonant with verses 11 to 15 (White). Adorn themselves (kosmein heautas). Present active infinitive after boulomai understood. Old word from kosmos (arrangement, ornament, order, world). See Luke 21:5; Titus 2:10. See I Cor. 11:5ff. for Paul’s discussion of women’s dress in public worship. In modest apparel (en katastolēi kosmiōi). Katastolē is a late word (a letting down, katastellō, of demeanour or dress, arrangement of dress). Only here in N.T. Kosmios is old adjective from kosmos and means well-arranged, becoming. W. H. have adverb in margin (kosmiōs). With shamefastness (meta aidous). Old word for shame, reverence, in N.T. only here and Heb. 12:28. Sobriety (sōphrosunēs). Old word, in N.T. only here, verse 15, and Acts 26:15 (Paul also). Not with braided hair (mē en plegmasin). Old word from plekō, to plait, to braid, for nets, baskets, here only in N.T. Cf. I Peter 3:1 (emplokēs). And gold (en chrusiōi). Locative case with en repeated. Some MSS. read chrusōi. Both used for gold ornaments. Or pearls (ē margaritais). See Matt. 7:6 for this word. Or costly raiment (ē himatismōi polutelei). Himatismos a common Koiné word from himatizō, to clothe. Polutelēs, old word from polus and telos (great price). See Mark 14:3.
10. Becometh (prepei). Old word for seemly. Paul wishes women to wear "becoming" clothes, but theosebeian (godliness, from theosebēs, John 9:31, theos, sebomai, worship) is part of the "style" desired. Only here in N.T. Good dress and good works combined.
11. In quietness (en hēsuchiāi). Old word from hēsuchios. In N.T. only here, Acts 22:2; II Thess. 3:12. In all subjection (en pasēi hupotagēi). Late word (Dion. Hal., papyri), in N.T. only here, II Cor. 9:13; Gal. 2:5. See I Cor. 14:33-35.
12. I permit not (ouk epitrepō). Old word epitrepō, to permit, to allow (I Cor. 16:7). Paul speaks authoritatively. To teach (didaskein). In the public meeting clearly. And yet all modern Christians allow women to teach Sunday school classes. One feels somehow that something is not expressed here to make it all clear. Nor to have dominion over a man (oude authentein andros). The word authenteō is now cleared up by Kretschmer (Glotta, 1912, pp. 289ff.) and by Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary. See also Nägeli, Der Wortschatz des Apostels Paulus and Deissmann, Light, etc., pp. 88f. Autodikeō was the literary word for playing the master while authenteō was the vernacular term. It comes from aut-hentes, a self-doer, a master, autocrat. It occurs in the papyri (substantive authentēs, master, verb authenteō, to domineer, adjective authentikos, authoritative, "authentic"). Modern Greek has aphentes = Effendi = "Mr."
13. Was first formed (prōtos eplasthē). Note prōtos, not prōton, first before Eve. First aorist passive indicative of plassō, old verb, in N.T. only here and Rom. 9:20 (cf. Gen. 2:7f.).
14. Being beguiled (exapatētheisa). First aorist passive participle of exapateō, old compound verb, in N.T. only by Paul (II Thess. 2:3; I Cor. 3:18; II Cor. 11:3; Rom. 7:11; 16:18; I Tim. 2:14). Not certain that ex- here means "completely deceived" in contrast to simplex (ouk ēpatēthē) used of Adam, though possible. Hath fallen (gegonen). Second perfect indicative active, permanent state. See I Cor. 11:7.
15. Through the child-bearing (dia tēs teknogonias). Late and rare word (in Aristotle). Here alone in N.T. From teknogonos and this from teknon and root genō. This translation makes it refer to the birth of the Saviour as glorifying womanhood. That is true, but it is not clear that Paul does not have mostly in mind that child-bearing, not public teaching, is the peculiar function of woman with a glory and dignity all its own. "She will be saved" (sōthēsetai) in this function, not by means of it. If they continue (ean meinōsin). Condition of third class, ean with first aorist active subjunctive of menō, to continue. Note change to plural from the singular (sōthēsetai).
The Web of Practical Theology is committed to the inerrancy and infallibility of the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books of the Christian Scriptures. We believe "Theology is Practical."
 |
"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16 |
|
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 |
|
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4 |
|
"He [an overseer] must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." Titus 1:9 |
|
"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Titus 2:1 |
This is a new web as of December 8, 2003 -- If you have any good links, ideas, articles, or advice for its improvement, please drop us a note at the address below.
We hope this web has been edifying to your Christian Faith.