1 Timothy 2:11 kjv
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1 Timothy 2:11 nkjv
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
1 Timothy 2:11 niv
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
1 Timothy 2:11 esv
Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.
1 Timothy 2:11 nlt
Women should learn quietly and submissively.
1 Timothy 2 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Tim 2:12 | I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority... | Provides immediate context of teaching/authority |
| 1 Pet 3:4 | ...the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit... | Connects to "quietness" as inner disposition |
| Prov 17:28 | Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise... | Value of thoughtful quietness |
| Titus 2:5 | ...to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands... | Exemplifies submission within households |
| Col 3:18 | Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. | General call to submission within marriage |
| Eph 5:21 | Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. | General call to mutual submission |
| Eph 5:24 | Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. | Submission in broader sense |
| 1 Cor 14:34 | ...women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak... | Discusses women's speaking in church; informs "quietness" debate |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Paul's emphasis on order in worship |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities... | Principle of submission to authority |
| Heb 13:17 | Obey your leaders and submit to them... | Submission to church leadership |
| Jas 4:7 | Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil... | Principle of submitting to God |
| Luke 10:39 | She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. | Example of a woman learning respectfully |
| Acts 17:11 | Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness... | Example of eager learning disposition |
| 1 Thess 4:11 | ...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs... | Similar use of "quietness" for a lifestyle |
| 2 Thess 3:12 | ...we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ that people work in quietness... | "Quietness" related to work ethic |
| 1 Tim 2:9 | ...likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectful apparel, with modesty and self-control... | Context of respectful demeanor and conduct |
| Deut 4:10 | ...when you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb...to hear my words, that they may learn to fear me... | Old Testament emphasis on people learning God's word |
| Neh 8:3 | And Ezra read from it... in the presence of men and women... ears of all the people were attentive. | Both men and women learned from scripture |
| Ps 37:7 | Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him... | Implies quiet trust and submission |
| Isa 30:15 | In quietness and in trust shall be your strength. | Quietness leading to spiritual strength |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Relates to humble submission |
1 Timothy 2 verses
1 Timothy 2 11 Meaning
This verse instructs that women are to receive instruction and grow in knowledge within the Christian assembly with a disposition of quietness and respectful submission. "Quietness" denotes a peaceful, tranquil, and non-disruptive demeanor, not necessarily complete silence. "Submission" signifies a willingness to adhere to the established order and proper authority within the church context, particularly in how they engage with spiritual teaching and leadership.
1 Timothy 2 11 Context
1 Timothy chapter 2 primarily addresses proper conduct and order within the Christian assembly, especially concerning public prayer and the roles of men and women. Verse 11 follows Paul's instructions regarding men's public prayer (vv. 8) and women's dress and modesty (vv. 9-10). It sets the stage for the contentious verse 12, which restricts a woman's teaching authority over a man. The immediate context is thus about how Christian worship should be conducted orderly, reflecting God's design for the church.
Historically, Ephesus, where Timothy was ministering, was a vibrant but religiously diverse city, notably home to the temple of Artemis (Diana), where women often held significant roles and authority, sometimes even engaging in practices contrary to Christian principles. Paul's instruction may therefore be a response to specific behavioral issues within the Ephesian church or a universal directive intended to establish clear distinctions between Christian practice and pagan traditions, ensuring that the church's conduct aligned with divine order and preserved its witness. It provided a framework for a healthy, Christ-centered learning environment.
1 Timothy 2 11 Word analysis
- Let a woman learn: The Greek manthanetō gynē is an imperative verb, emphasizing a command for women to engage in learning. This was a radical instruction in a world where formal education for women was often limited or non-existent in many cultures. Gynē (woman) here refers generally to women in the congregation, not exclusively married women. It underscores the positive and vital role of women as active participants in receiving spiritual instruction and understanding God's word.
- in quietness: The Greek en hēsuchia refers to a state of tranquility, peacefulness, and inner calm. It implies a non-disruptive, unagitated demeanor, conducive to listening and learning. It does not necessarily mean absolute silence or a lack of speech in all contexts, but rather a serene and attentive posture that prevents disorder. This stands in contrast to potential disruptive behaviors, arguing, or challenges to authority during church gatherings. This hēsuchia is crucial for effective learning and maintaining a harmonious environment.
- with all submission: The Greek en pasē hypotagē signifies a posture of deference, subjection, or willingness to submit to proper authority and the established order. "All" (pasē) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this submission, indicating it should be complete and encompassing the full extent of respectful behavior within the community. This isn't forced servitude but a voluntary alignment with the spiritual and organizational structure of the church, acknowledging the headship principles established by God. It promotes harmony and acknowledges appropriate leadership roles in the context of teaching.
1 Timothy 2 11 Bonus section
- Active Learning: While quietness and submission are emphasized, the imperative "let her learn" ensures that women are active, not passive, recipients of instruction, actively seeking to understand and absorb biblical truth. This promotes their spiritual growth and maturity within the community of believers.
- Holistic Conduct: The instructions in 1 Timothy 2 are not isolated, but part of a broader call for all believers to live orderly and godly lives in public and private, reflecting the character of Christ. This applies to prayer, dress, and respectful engagement within the church structure.
- Precedent for 1 Tim 2:12: This verse immediately precedes and informs Paul's statement in 1 Timothy 2:12 about women not having authority to teach over men. The manner of learning described in verse 11 provides the context for understanding the scope of the subsequent restriction on teaching. It's about establishing roles and order for teaching authority within the church's formal public gathering.
- Contrast with Worldly Behaviors: Paul's emphasis on "quietness" and "submission" may have also served as a counter-cultural directive, distinguishing Christian worship from common pagan practices where women might have held positions of wild abandon or disruptive authority, ensuring the church's distinct identity as an orderly and Spirit-led body.
1 Timothy 2 11 Commentary
1 Timothy 2:11 serves as a foundational command for women's conduct in the church assembly, particularly in the context of receiving spiritual instruction. The verse positively encourages women to "learn," highlighting the value Paul placed on their spiritual development and understanding of God's truth. This learning, however, is to occur "in quietness" (hēsuchia), implying a calm, peaceable, and non-disruptive disposition. This "quietness" contrasts with unruly behavior or any disruption of the worship service, ensuring an environment conducive to spiritual growth for all. Coupled with this is the command "with all submission" (pasē hypotagē), which underscores the necessity of recognizing and respecting the established order and leadership within the church. This submission is a voluntary act of deference to God's design for order in the body of Christ, not an oppressive measure. Together, "quietness" and "submission" describe the proper posture for a woman in the learning context of the church, fostering an environment of reverent respect and conducive to spiritual reception before moving into the further stipulations of verse 12 regarding teaching authority.