Does 1 Timothy 2:11-13 really mean women can't teach men?

A hotly debated topic in Christian circles is the role, if any, of women teaching men, whether it's from the pulpit or in any church function. We are not going to attempt to answer that question here.

We are however, going to take a closer look at one of the passages used to not permit women to teach, 1Ti. 2:11-13:

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

First we should note the word "authority." The greek word is αὐθεντέω (authenteó):

Definition: to govern, exercise authority
Usage: I domineer, govern, have mastery over.

831 authentéō (from 846 /autós, "self" and entea, "arms, armor") – properly, to unilaterally take up arms, i.e. acting as an autocrat – literally, self-appointed (acting without submission).

So, it doesn't seem that Paul is telling Timothy to keep women out of the pulpit, but rather, to keep women from unilaterally taking over. It sounds more like preventing a Coup d'état. The KJV captures the nuance of this word, translating the phrase as nor to usurp authority over the man.

So it would seem that Paul was cautioning Timothy to not let a woman domineer or take over.

With that in mind, we need to look at a couple more words in the Greek. The word "man." 

anér: (ἀνήρ, ἀνδρός, ὁ): a male human being; a man, husband.

Both man and husband are variously used, depending on the verse or the translation. Example:

Mark 10:2
GRK: εἰ ἔξεστιν ἀνδρὶ γυναῖκα ἀπολῦσαι
NAS: it was lawful for a man to divorce
KJV: lawful for a man to put away
INT: if it is lawful for a husband a wife to divorce

So we conclude the Greek word can be either "man" or "husband."

And now the word "woman." 

guné: (γυνή, αικός, ἡ): a woman, wife, my lady.

Same thing. The Greek word can be either "woman" or "wife."

Now let's quote the passage again:

1Ti. 2:11-13 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

The NIV renders the words as "a woman" and "a man," but what if the provided alternate meanings, "a husband" and "a wife," should be in view here? Is it possible that Paul was actually talking about husbands and wives?

Over the years as we have read this passage I have always struck by the seeming oddness of Paul giving the reason for a woman to be quiet and in full submission: For Adam was formed first, then Eve. It just didn't seem to fit.

But it makes perfect sense if Paul is talking about husbands and wives. But Adam was formed first, then Eve. That is, the prototypical husband/wife relationship. We're not Greek scholars, but we can put two and two together. Maybe Paul was dealing with the marriage relationship and not church governance.

With this in view, let's offer another rendering of the passage:

1Ti. 2:11-13 A wife should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a wife to teach or to domineer over (or take charge from) the husband; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

This really clarifies the issue. The context makes sense. Paul's command makes sense. Paul's reason makes sense.

This is not to say that the role of women in the church is now settled. But what is settled in our view is that this particular passage has nothing to do with women teaching or women in church leadership.