1 Timothy ii. 11–15
“Let the women learn in
silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to
usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first
formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved
in [through the] child-bearing, if they continue in faith and charity
and holiness with sobriety.”
modesty and great propriety does the blessed Paul require of
women, and that not only with respect to their dress and appearance: he
proceeds even to regulate their speech. And what says he? “Let
the woman learn in silence”; that is, let her not speak at all in
the church; which rule he has also given in his Epistle to the
Corinthians, where he says, “It is a shame for women to speak in
the church” (1 Cor. xiv. 35.); and the reason is, that the law has made them subject to men. And again elsewhere, “And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home.” (Ibid.) Then indeed the women, from such teaching, kept silence; but now there is apt to be great noise among them, much clamor and talking, and nowhere so much as in this place. They may all be seen here talking more than in the market, or at the bath. For, as if they came hither for recreation, they are all engaged in conversing upon unprofitable subjects. Thus all is confusion, and they seem not to understand, that unless they are quiet, they cannot learn anything that is useful. For when our discourse strains against the talking, and no one minds what is said, what good can it do to them? To such a degree should women be silent, that they are not allowed to speak not only about worldly matters, but not even about spiritual things, in the church. This is order, this is modesty, this will adorn her more than any garments. Thus clothed, she will be able to offer her prayers in the manner most becoming.
“But I suffer not a woman
to teach.” “I do not suffer,” he says. What place has
this command here? The fittest. He was speaking of quietness, of
propriety, of modesty, so having said that he wished them not to speak
in the church, to cut off all occasion of conversation, he says, let
them not teach, but occupy the station of learners. For thus they will
show submission by their silence. For the sex is naturally somewhat
talkative: and for this reason he restrains them on all sides. “For Adam,” says he, “was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”
If it be asked, what has this to
do with women of the present day? it shows that the male sex enjoyed
the higher honor. Man was first formed; and elsewhere he shows their
superiority. “Neither was the man created for the woman, but the
woman for the man.” (1 Cor. xi. 9.) Why then does
he say this? He wishes the man to have the preeminence in every way; both for the reason given above, he means, let him have precedence, and on account of what occurred afterwards. For the woman taught the man once, and made him guilty of disobedience, and wrought our ruin. Therefore because she made a bad use of her power over the man, or rather her equality with him, God made her subject to her husband. “Thy desire shall be to thy husband?” (Gen. iii. 16.) This had not been said to her before.