Snow Essay/Blog 5

Jordyn Snow

WGS 3463-995 Women and Religion

Essay/Blog 5

1 Timothy 2:1-15 advocates the oppression of women within the church. Thecla, on the other hand, is an example of women’s ability to spread the gospel. On occasion, she does demonstrate some of the qualities emphasized in 1 Tim, but ultimately she does not conform to these standards and on multiple occasions does the complete opposite of what 1 Tim instructs. In the beginning, Thecla seems to be an ideal representation of a 1 Tim woman. When she first hears Paul speak, she sits and listens to him for days without distraction (Acts of Paul, 7). This behavior is in accordance with 1 Tim 2:11, which calls for women to “learn in silence with full submission.” However, after hearing all Paul has to say Thecla begins to deviate from 1 Tim’s understanding of women. She begins by defying her family’s wish for her to marry and decides to remain a virgin for the rest of her life, a decision that conflicts with the idea that women’s past biblical transgressions are redeemed through childbirth (Acts of Paul, 20; 1 Tim 2:15). Thecla then devotes the rest of her life to Paul’s teachings and affirms her faith during several life or death situations. She eventually becomes a teacher of the gospel herself and even enlightens Paul with her experiences (Acts of Paul, 41-43). Contrary to 1 Tim 2:12, where women are prohibited from teaching or having authority over men, both of which Thecla accomplishes.

The writings of 1 Timothy 2:1-15 and the Acts of Paul and Thecla portray women’s characters differently. Sheila McGinn notes in her work “Acts of Thecla,” that the Acts of Thecla reverses the message conveyed in 1 Tim 2:13-14 that a woman is more likely to be the downfall of man’s Christian pursuits (820). It is interesting that throughout the Acts of Paul and Thecla, Paul continually expresses his anxiety that Thecla will give in or has given in to temptation, sharing the same understanding of women as 1 Tim (25, 40). However, Thecla’s experience with Paul serves to counteract this paternalistic notion, by instead displaying Paul as the less reliable one. On several occasions he abandons Thecla when her life is in danger (Acts of Paul 21, 26). Thecla is characterized as strong, resilient, and definitely not submissive. She is not the type of woman who could fit the proper role of women outlined by 1 Tim.