[Greek] αὐθεντέω (authenteō), [Latin] dominari, [French] regner: to govern, to exercise authority over, to dominate, to usurp authority, to teach, to murder, to act on one’s authority, to claim to be the author; 1Tim.2:12
Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) in Ephesus. The pagan cultural values clash with the patriarchal society values
Background Information:
Secular culture: This Greek term has long been a subject of controversy, conjecture, and speculation about its intended meaning regarding women in 1Tim.2:12. This issue is further complicated, taking into account the patriarchal societal attitudes, the pagan influences in Ephesus, and the historically violent and negative sense of this Greek term. Historically, authenteo has been defined meaning to dominate, to control, and to kill. The crux of the matter is to determine the context in how this Greek term is used in scripture. In order to obtain a fuller sense, it is important to examine the scripture passages before and after 1Tim.2:12. This helps to take into account the societal influences existing in Ephesus. Other examples of authenteo: 2nd century B.C. a murderer committing an act of violence, 1st century B. C. an author producing an outstanding work, 26 B.C. “Having my way with you.”, 1st century B.C. villain rhetoric teachers, 1st century A.D. “Saturn dominating Mercury”
Pagan culture: Ephesus was a city influenced by pagan and Gnostics beliefs. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world, was located in Ephesus. The goddess Artemis was the patroness of fertility, midwives, and women in labor. Artemis was even referred to as “Mother of All.” These pagan beliefs played an important role in the shaping the women’s beliefs and attitudes in Ephesus. This background information helps to shed light on the women in the following scripture passages.
New Testament: This term means to authority over someone. There is speculation that prostitutes, dressed elaborately, frequented the grounds of the Temple of Artemis. Paul may have been responding to these prostitutes who were rebelling over normal cultural norms in Ephesus. In contrast, the Christian women more modest attire with their heads covered. Paul may have been speaking about the pagans who were teaching about women’s liberation, empowerment, and superiority to others in Ephesus. This was not in accordance with the traditional forms of instruction. This influence would have disrupted the family household. Traditionally, the men were the leaders in the family household. Women were allowed to instruct other women. Some women were led by false teaching. A prostitute’s seduction over a customer (man) can be considered a form of control or domination.
Scripture:
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet.” 1Tim.2:12
Paul was perhaps speaking about the traditional manner of teaching and instruction. Traditionally, the men were probably most likely leading formal instruction. Perhaps, in some situations, women were allowed to instruct other women. Some women at Ephesus, led by false teaching, may also have tried to uproot the traditional teaching institutions. A prostitute’s seduction over a customer (man) can be considered a form of control or domination.
Conclusion:
Authentic, authenticate, dominate, domination, reign
I was very surprised by the very negative and violent sense of this Greek term throughout history. Those who engaged in this controlling behavior were called authentes. Clement of Alexandria wrote a scathing refutation against these authentes who turned love feasts into orgies and who taught women to give “to give to every man that asketh of thee.” In recent times, the Greek term authenteo has taken on a more positive sense in meaning. Now an authority is someone (or something) who is considered an expert in their field.
It can often very useful to examine scripture from the modern day perspective. However, there are some times we need “to peal away all the many layers of the onion” to get a complete and authentic picture of Early Christianity.