Blog 5

When comparing 1 Timothy 2:1-15 to Acts of Paul and Thecla, there are many differences in how the author says women should act and how Thecla behaves. In 1 Timothy 2:11, “women are to learn in silence and with full submission”. I believe this is quite the opposite of Thecla. She did not give in to her mothers and fiancé’s plead to listen to them and not pay attention to the voice of Paul as he spoke in the house of Onesiphorus. “But all these things made no impression on Thecla to incline her so much as to turn and take notice of them, for she continued to contemplate on the discourses of Paul (Acts of Paul, 10). Another time when Thecla is showing behavior that is not submissive is when Alexander grabs her in the streets and kissed her. She cries out “Force me not, who am a stranger, force me not, who am a servant of God” then proceeded to tear his coat and take the crown off his head (Acts of Paul, 26). An additional example that shows Thecla’s inability to be submissive is when Paul was in prison. Thecla took off her bracelets and made a present out of a silver looking glass to give to the doorkeeper so she could be allowed to go to the room where Paul was (Acts of Paul, 18). This goes against 1 Timothy 2:12, which states that no woman should teach or to have authority over a man. Thecla bribing the doorkeeper shows authority, and how she is willing to do whatever it takes to get her way. Lastly, when Thecla was informed that Paul was at Myra in Lycia, “she took with her many young men and women”(Acts of Paul, 40). If Thecla did not have authority, or would have kept quiet, she would not have people following her to teach the word of the Lord.