1 Timothy 2:12
New International Version
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.

New Living Translation
I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.

English Standard Version
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

Berean Standard Bible
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

Berean Literal Bible
But I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to use authority over a man, but to be in quietness.

King James Bible
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

New King James Version
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

New American Standard Bible
But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

NASB 1995
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

NASB 1977
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

Amplified Bible
I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [in the congregation].

Christian Standard Bible
I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to be silent.

American Standard Version
But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.

Contemporary English Version
They should be silent and not be allowed to teach or to tell men what to do.

English Revised Version
But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I don't allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. Instead, she should be quiet.

Good News Translation
I do not allow them to teach or to have authority over men; they must keep quiet.

International Standard Version
Moreover, in the area of teaching, I am not allowing a woman to instigate conflict toward a man. Instead, she is to remain calm.

Majority Standard Bible
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

NET Bible
But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.

New Heart English Bible
But I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.

Webster's Bible Translation
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Weymouth New Testament
I do not permit a woman to teach, nor have authority over a man, but she must remain silent.

World English Bible
But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to rule a husband, but to be in quietness,

Berean Literal Bible
But I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to use authority over a man, but to be in quietness.

Young's Literal Translation
and a woman I do not suffer to teach, nor to rule a husband, but to be in quietness,

Smith's Literal Translation
And I trust not the woman to teach, neither to exercise authority over the man, but to be in freedom from care.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to be in authority over a man, but to be in silence.

New American Bible
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet.

New Revised Standard Version
I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I do not think it seemly for a woman to debate publicly or otherwise usurp the authority of men but should be silent.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For I do not allow a woman to teach, neither to usurp over a man, but she should be quiet;
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Godbey New Testament
but I do not permit a woman to dictate or usurp authority over her husband, but to be in silence.

Haweis New Testament
for I permit not a woman to teach in public, or to assume authority over the man, but to abide in silence.

Mace New Testament
for I don't allow a woman to be a teacher, nor to dictate to her husband; but let her be silent.

Weymouth New Testament
I do not permit a woman to teach, nor have authority over a man, but she must remain silent.

Worrell New Testament
But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.

Worsley New Testament
nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be silent.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Instructions to Women
11A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. / If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

1 Peter 3:1-6
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

Titus 2:3-5
Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. / In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”

1 Corinthians 11:8-9
For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. / Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

Numbers 30:3-15
And if a woman in her father’s house during her youth makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge, / and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. / But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears about it, then none of the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. The LORD will absolve her because her father has prohibited her. ...

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

1 Corinthians 11:10
For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

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Allow Authority Dominion Exercise Husband Opinion Permit Quiet Quietness Right Rule Silence Silent Suffer Teach Teacher
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Allow Authority Dominion Exercise Husband Opinion Permit Quiet Quietness Right Rule Silence Silent Suffer Teach Teacher
1 Timothy 2
1. Instruction to pray and give thanks.
9. How women should be attired.
12. They are not permitted to teach.
15. They shall be saved if they continue in faith.














I do not permit
The phrase "I do not permit" is derived from the Greek word "epitrepō," which implies a personal decision or directive. In the context of the early church, this reflects Paul's apostolic authority and his guidance for orderly worship. Historically, this was a time when the church was establishing its foundational practices, and Paul's instructions were aimed at maintaining unity and doctrinal purity.

a woman
The Greek word used here is "gynē," which can mean a woman or a wife, depending on the context. In the cultural and historical setting of the early church, women were often less educated than men, which influenced their roles in teaching and leadership. This directive was not necessarily a reflection of a woman's value or capability but rather a practical guideline for the church's structure at that time.

to teach
The term "teach" comes from the Greek "didaskein," which refers to the act of instructing or imparting knowledge. In the early church, teaching was a role of significant authority and responsibility, often reserved for those who were well-versed in the Scriptures and apostolic doctrine. This restriction was likely intended to preserve the integrity of the teaching and to prevent the spread of false doctrines.

or to exercise authority
The phrase "exercise authority" is translated from the Greek "authentein," a term that appears only once in the New Testament. It suggests a form of authority that is domineering or usurping. In the historical context, this could be seen as a caution against disrupting the established order and harmony within the church community.

over a man
The Greek word "anēr" is used here, which can mean a man or a husband. This phrase indicates the relational dynamic within the church and possibly within the household. The early church was navigating cultural norms and expectations, and this instruction was part of maintaining a respectful and orderly worship environment.

she is to remain quiet
The word "quiet" is translated from the Greek "hēsychia," which implies a state of tranquility or calmness rather than absolute silence. This instruction is often understood as a call for a peaceful demeanor and a willingness to learn in a respectful manner. In the broader scriptural context, this aligns with the virtues of humility and submission to God's order.

(12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.--The whole purpose of these weighty admonitions of the great founder of the Gentile Churches relegates Christian women to their own legitimate sphere of action and influence--the quiet of their own homes. St. Paul caught well the spirit of his Master here. He raised once and for ever the women of Christ out of the position of degradation and intellectual inferiority they had occupied in the various pagan systems of the East and West, and taught with all the weight of an Apostle--of an accredited teacher of divine wisdom--that woman was a fellow-heir with man of the glories of the kingdom,--where sex would exist no longer; but while teaching this great and elevating truth, St. Paul shows what is the only proper sphere in which woman should work, and in which she should exercise her influence and power; while man's work and duties lay in the busy world without, woman's work was exclusively confined to the quiet stillness of home. The Apostle then proceeds to ground these injunctions respecting the duties in public and private of the two sexes upon the original order of creation, and upon the circumstances which attended the fall.

Verse 12. - Permit for suffer, A.V.; have dominion for usurp authority, A.V.; a for the, A.V.; quietness for silence, A.V. Permit. Why "permit" is better than "suffer" it is difficult to see. Ἐπιτρέπειν is rendered "suffer" in the R.V. in Matthew 8:21; Matthew 19:8; Mark 10:4; Luke 9:59, etc. Quietness (see preceding note). The true type of the womanly attitude is that of Mary, who "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his Word" (Luke 10:39).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I do not permit
ἐπιτρέπω (epitrepō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2010: To turn to, commit, entrust; I allow, yield, permit. From epi and the base of trope; to turn over, i.e. Allow.

a woman
γυναικὶ (gynaiki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

to teach
διδάσκειν (didaskein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.

[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

exercise authority over
αὐθεντεῖν (authentein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 831: To domineer, govern, have mastery over. From a compound of autos and an obsolete hentes; to act of oneself, i.e. dominate.

a man;
ἀνδρός (andros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

she is to remain
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

quiet.
ἡσυχίᾳ (hēsychia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2271: Quietness, stillness, silence. Feminine of hesuchios; stillness, i.e. Desistance from bustle or language.


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NT Letters: 1 Timothy 2:12 But I don't permit a woman (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm)
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