When Paul uses the phrase “I do not permit,” this phrase has been accounted for 18 other times in the New Testament. Every time it is used it is related to a specific and limited set of circumstances, revealing this command is viewed as a limited command given to a local predicament rather than a universal command given to the global Church. This time of silence should be limited until these women are correctly taught in accordance with Truth. Which echoes the themes we see in Paul’s writings of submitting to one another out of reference for Christ (Eph. 3-4), which is truly submitting to the Father and humbling ourselves under the Lordship of Christ.

The word “authenteó” is only used once within the scriptures, it means to domineer, govern, and have mastery over. It is important to note that Paul uses this word for authority rather than the common word used in the New Testament, “exousia.” This word carries a negative connotation towards authority, and it is used to describe someone who is trying to take authority by seizing the authority structure that had been established.

This reveals that the woman or women Paul is addressing are not submitting and may be trying to overthrow the authority structure that they are supposed to be submitted to. Paul continues by bringing clarification into the creation story (2:13-14) with an emphasis on the woman being “deceived.” An emphasis that Paul does not describe when writing about “The Fall” in Romans 5:12-21, but here there is a clear emphasis added for a specific purpose that is not added in Romans 5. Paul is drawing out new meaning from the creation story that applies directly to the situation in this Church, as for the majority of the letter he addresses false teaching.

This correction of creation story would be countering those who worshiped Artemis and held to a different creation story. Artemis was born before her male twin Apollo and was the older sister who was in charge and helped as a “midwife” as her brother was being born. Celoria says that “Paul is saying that he is not permitting these women to teach, because they are teaching false doctrines that cause people to be deceived and to sin, just as Eve was deceived in the garden by false teaching. Paul’s creation account was used to correct women who sought authority over men due to Artemis not Paul asserting that women are more easily deceived, rather he was directly teaching against false teaching and behavior. Since all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:11-23). Paul ends his instruction stating that “women will be saved through childbearing– if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety (2:15).” Paul believes that salvation is by faith alone (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8,9) thus Paul is directly confronting an Ephesian belief system that is leading to false teaching, most likely multiple that has entangled itself within the worldview of the Ephesians (Heb 12:1-3). There was likely an ascetic teaching circulating claiming that celibacy was inherent for those seeking salvation. The belief that being a virgin and not having children was commonly viewed as being spiritually superior. Artemis was known for being celibate, and this may have increased the elevation of the celibate status in Ephesus. Steven Baugh says, “The ancient Ephesians themselves presented Artemis Ephesia to the world as the traditional tomboy huntress who stood for chastity and the rejection of marriage.” Being a virgin was less of a moral pursuit, but rather a sign of independence and power from men. Furthermore, Artemis was viewed as the Goddess of “childbirth.” Women would go to her and pray for safe birth. Women also were fearful to leave the Artemis cult because they believed she would attack them with vengeance. Thus, serving God would bring upon them the wrath of Artemis and they feared they would not be able to have children. 1 Timothy 2:15 offers hope for women who feared leaving Artemis and Paul implores to them that by continuing in faith, love, and holiness to God that He would protect them and that they would be saved through childbearing. God’s ability to protect and save is much greater than Artemis’s ability to destroy. This brings the Ephesians even closer to the Gospel as they looked back to Genesis 3 and forward to the coming of Christ who saved the world through being born of a woman. Comparing and contrasting this passage with Paul’s additional letters and historical account in Acts, this command is in complete contradiction to Paul’s lifestyle and other teachings if presented as a universal truth. And even more so in contradiction with the character of God, as Jesus himself championed women and created man and woman to together rule and reign side by side. Not claiming authority over one another, but to serve as lead as co-laborers. Romans 16 reveals Paul’s many female companions, these women co-labored with Paul and gave their lives to serve Jesus. In Acts 16:7, Paul mentions that Junia is an apostle of the Church. The first convert in the Church in Philippi was Lydia (Acts 16:14,15). Without her conversion and housing of Paul who knows if the Church would have spread to the Western World. Jesus championed women, they were the first at the cradle and the first and last at his crucifixion and resurrection, following Him with great devotion. Mary Magdalena was the first to carry the Gospel to the disciples and the rest of the women who followed Jesus. These scriptures bring more evidence to the fact, that this is a command given to a specific Church, at a specific time, to confront a specific problem. It should not be viewed as universal for the Church and should always be taught and applied within the correct context. This passage of scripture is not universal but written for a specific purpose, at a specific time, for a specific people. The cultural context is a must when studying this passage. I believe in order to truly understand this passage of scripture, the reader must become familiar with the Ephesian culture and the main God they served, Artemis. Given this interpretation, women should be championed in leadership. They should be supported and viewed as equal to men in value, service, and oversight. If there is any false teaching within any Church, it needs to be addressed and silenced, as false teaching will bring division and destruction upon the Church. If the false teacher is corrected, and submits to their authority structure for a time, they should be gently restored with wisdom, truthfulness, and love. For this will of God is for all to bear witness to Christ Jesus and the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:8).