I Suffer Not a Woman
Rethinking I Timothy 2:11–15 in Light of Ancient Evidence
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"A fascinating study. . . . It will now become impossible to interpret legitimately the Pauline prohibition without recourse to this valuable resource."--Gilbert Bilezikian, Wheaton College
I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
--1 Timothy 2:12 KJV
This passage troubles those who desire greater leadership roles for women in ministry but who also want to remain loyal to Scripture. Did Paul forbid a woman to exercise her leadership and teaching gifts, or was he dealing with a particular error in the church?
According to I Suffer Not a Woman, Paul was reacting to a specific problem that was sweeping churches: a myth, taught mostly by women, which later became a foundation for gnosticism. This book offers an in-depth look at the Greek text of 1 Timothy 2:11-15 in the context of the Pastoral Epistles and in its historical context. By illuminating the first-century culture of Ephesus, the Kroegers shed light on the ancient world thought patterns Paul faced and offer a responsible alternative understanding of this much debated passage.
I Suffer Not a Woman is well documented yet easily accessible. Illustrations and photographs provide a fascinating look at the ancient world. It was previously published by Baker in 1992.
Endorsements
"Working from a wide range of primary sources, I Suffer Not a Woman draws the reader into ancient-world thought patterns. The authors provide a compelling case for interpreting the text in 1 Timothy as a refutation of false teaching, rather than as a narrow restriction on women's role. . . . This book must be taken seriously and deserves a wide audience."
Gretchen Gaebelein Hull, author of Equal to Serve