Sterling Von Strohe
WGS 3463
March 11, 2014
Essay 5
Comparing Thecla within 1 Timothy and the
passage of 1 Timothy 2:1-15, brings forward contrasting perspectives on how
woman should act and behave. Thecla is a bold woman, who presses on towards
what she views as the right way, even against her betrothed, Thamyris, and her
mother, Theocleia. Thecla shows her opinionated attitude and vocal ways through
not rising from the window for three days to even eat or drink (Acts of Paul
and Thecla, 7), not responding or obeying her betrothed (Acts of Paul and
Thecla 10-11), sneaking off in the night (Acts of Paul and Thecla, 18), and
instructing others in the Word (Acts of Paul and Thecla, 39). Thecla would not ever
be described by how a woman is explained and commanded to be within verses 11
and 12 “Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to
teach or to have authority over a man, she is to keep silent” (1 Timothy
2:11-12). Thecla is closer to
controlling her situation and what she does than a woman described as submissive.
In addition, Thecla teaches and voices her beliefs, as is evident in the crowd
Paul saw following behind her (Acts of Paul and Thecla, 40). Thecla does not
conform with 1 Timothy’s understanding of woman as described in 1 Timothy
2:1-15, which perhaps helps explain one reason why the Acts of Paul and Thecla were
not canonized.
One other additional point to remember is
that although Thecla does not follow the traits described in 1 Timothy 2:1-15,
in our secondary readings we learned that it can be assumed that not many women
exhibited those traits. “The fact that the author spends so much time and
effort to enjoin silence on Christian women suggests that the actual and
accepted practice of women was active and vocal and that the author was
attempting to change this behavior” (Dewey, 598). The author would have no
reason to command women to be silent and submissive if the women were already
acting that way. Although Thecla contrasts to the scripture of 1 Timothy,
Thecla may have been similar to the other women within this time period.
In conclusion,
Thecla is not a woman who exemplifies the traits of a 1 Timothy woman; rather
she stands boldly and vocally for all to see.
Thecla fought her battle against her mother and Thamyris in a passive manner. Instead of raising her voice or getting anger she decided to just not move from the window and ignore them both. Later in the story when she confronts the crowds and others she fights in a more vocal and assertive manner. Overall, you did very well on this blog!
ReplyDeleteThecla was not very vocal at all when going against her fiance and mother. I can say that she learned in submission in regards to Paul. Other than that your essay is pretty well written. You were very descriptive and made some very good points.
ReplyDeleteRachel Robinson