Danielle
Harden
Essay/Blog
5
By comparing the instructions of 1 Timothy 2:1-15 to
Thecla’s actions in the Acts of Paul and
Thecla, it becomes evident that Thecla’s clear sense of agency in no way
conforms to the passage’s call for “full submission” (1 Tim 2:11). Biblical
scholar Joanna Dewey asserts that, “Since the instructions for women directly
follow those for men, they should apply to women praying publically during
worship. Verses 8-10 however, prescribe general rules for women’s behavior”
(598). If the passage does present “general rules” for women, then the bold,
self-assured, and countercultural actions of Thecla are directly against 1 Timothy’s
understanding of women.
The author of First Timothy in 2:1-15
is concerned with how women present and conduct themselves in prayer and thus
gives instructions on how women ought to be. In this passage women are
characterized as needing to dress moderately with no adornments (such as
elaborate hair styles, expensive clothing, jewelry, etc.), to be silent and in
“full submission” to a man (1 Tim 2:9-12). The author’s “evidence” for such
needs is that Eve “was deceived and became a transgressor” (1 Tim 2:14). Here,
Eve is the sinner and Adam’s passiveness is completely overlooked. The passage’s
last line (verse 15) then calls for the salvation of women through childbearing
and becoming mothers.
Thecla subverts this understanding in many instances
throughout the story. She does not listen to her mother and fiancé and
even faced with punishment, she refuses to become a wife or a mother (Acts
of Paul, 10). Thecla again shows un-submissive behavior when Alexander
sexually assaults her and she fights him, for which she is punished for (Acts
of Paul, 26). Another example that shows Thecla’s assertiveness is when
Paul was in prison. Thecla bribes the doorkeeper without intervention from God,
and gets in to see Paul (Acts of Paul, 18). This is against 1 Timothy
2:12, which explains that no woman should teach or to have authority over men.
In bribing the doorkeeper, Thecla shows authority. Finally, when Thecla was
informed that Paul is in Lycia, “she took with her many young men and women”,
which is again, an act of leadership and authority (Acts of Paul, 40).
Though it becomes clear that Thecla has God’s protection, there are plenty of
instances in which see initiates action on her own. Finally, Thecla forgoes
marriage and childbirth and seems to find salvation (and autonomy) in her
choice to remain a virgin.
By the
end of the work, Thecla is commissioned to preach the gospel and “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 and gospel to men—even
himself—as well as to women” (McGinn, 819) (Acts
of Paul 41). Thecla returns to her home, Iconium, as a teacher of the word
of God in place of Paul (Acts of Paul,
42). As a virgin (by her own choice), teacher, and woman who in no way is
silent or submissive, Thecla’s actions do not conform to the passage in 1
Timothy 2:1-15.
I think your introductory paragraph does a good job outlining the relationship between Thecla and 1 Timothy. You also make good use of the secondary sources. You use the appropriate biblical texts to back up your argument that Thecla does not conform to the standards set out for women in 1 Tim. The only area that I think would contribute to your writing would be to perhaps blend your second paragraph about 1 Tim into the third paragraph about Thecla in order to make more of a comparison between the two. Overall, I think you did well on this assignment!
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