Essay Blog 5
When comparing and contrasting the readings of 1 Timothy
2:1-15 and the Acts of Thelca, there
are many differences seen between the way women are expected to worship and
behave and how Thelca does. In 1 Timothy 2:9-15, there are instructions given
on how women should conduct themselves. Women are to be modest in appearance,
wearing decent and appropriate clothing that does not draw attention. “Women
should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority
over them. Let them listen quietly” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Thelca does show some
similarity to how women should behave because she listens intently and quietly
to Paul speak the word of God. Her mother, Theocleia, believes she is under
some type of spell and “taken captive” by Paul’s message (Acts of Thelca, 9). However,
there are many instances where Thelca behaves quite the opposite of this.
Thelca
was betrothed to a man by the name of Thamyris, but after hearing Paul speak
God's word, she decided to abstain from marriage and remain a virgin. I believe
that by her rejecting Thamyris in marriage, she shows some authority and that
she is not submissive. Thelca further shows her contrast from the behavior of
women in 1 Timothy 2:1-15 by wanting to become a disciple and co-worker
alongside Paul, so she could teach and spread the word of God. She believed
that the work of God was her salvation, and Paul later validates her ministry
as a teacher of the gospel to men and women (Acts of Thelca, 41). This is in
great contrast to 1 Timothy 2:11-12.
"Co-worker alongside Paul" is an interesting choice of words. It implies that Thecla and Paul are equals. And while I agree that Thecla has a higher pedestal than most women in the bible, I believe that Paul is still in a higher place than Paul as she is spreading the word that Paul wants her to. There almost seemed to be a yearning for Paul.
ReplyDeleteWhile Acts of Thecla may have been written after Timothy, the empowerment of women in Paul's time led to how Timothy was written. Thecla was a character from Paul's time so therefore Thecla the character was not a reaction to Timothy, but vice versa.
ReplyDelete