Make Up Your Mind Paul! Part 2

This week’s prompt is a perfect sequel to my previous blog over women’s role in Ephesians.  The theme of women being placed in secondary and submissive roles is evident in both 1 Timothy and Ephesians; and it could be argued that it’s most blatant in the former.  The author of 1 Timothy writes that, “women should learn quietly and submissively.  I do not let women teach men or have authority over them.  Let them listen quietly.  For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve.  And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan.  The woman was deceived, and sin was the result” (1 Timothy 2:11-14).  Not only does the author believe women should be submissive, he also blames them for the introduction of sin.  Clearly, the author of 1 Timothy does not have the most favorable view on women. 

            Now this is where things get interesting; after reading the Acts of Thecla and 1 Timothy 2 it’s hard to miss the clear contradiction between them.  The Acts of Thecla in no way conforms to the role that 1 Timothy assigns to women.  After Thecla overcame her trials and made it back to Paul, he tells her to, “go and teach the word of God” (Acts of Paul :41)!  Now remember, this is the same (alleged) Paul that in 1 Timothy said he didn’t allow women to teach men or have authority over them.  Someone is lying here; the words of the author who claims to be Paul in 1 Timothy, do not reconcile with the words that the author of Thecla’s story claims Paul spoke.  McGinn gives more evidence for Thecla’s ministerial authority, writing,  ”Paul leads her into the house of a man named Hermias to hear Thecla’s account, thus inviting her to preach there.  This shows that Paul validates her ministry as teacher of the gospel to men-even himself-as well as to women” (McGinn :819).