The Meaning of 1 Timothy 2:11 Explained

1 Timothy 2:11

KJV: Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

YLT: Let a woman in quietness learn in all subjection,

Darby: Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection;

ASV: Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let  the woman  learn  in  silence  with  all  subjection. 

What does 1 Timothy 2:11 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 2:1-15 - Prayer And Modest Adorning
The Apostle especially urged intercessory prayer, because it meant so much to himself. Three different words are used of prayer, because there are so many ways of approaching God. It is our duty to pray for those in authority, and to seek after a calm and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. It was most important that Christians should not be suspected of revolutionary designs or civic turbulence. If they had to suffer, it must be only on account of their religious faith. The solidarity of our race is the reason for our wide-embracing supplications. The whole race is one in the creation of God and the ransom of Christ; we are therefore one with all men, and should express in prayer the common sins and sorrows of mankind.
The men were bidden to lead in public prayer, and to see that the hands they uplifted were clean, while the women joined quietly after the Eastern fashion. There was nothing revolutionary in Paul's teaching. He was content, in minor matters, to conform to the usages of his age, though promulgating doctrines which would ultimately revolutionize the position of womanhood. A holy married life, with the bearing and training of children, is, as a rule, the appointed path for woman, and this will lead to their salvation through faith in the Holy One who was born in Bethlehem. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 2

1  Instruction to pray and give thanks
9  How women should be attired
12  They are not permitted to teach
15  They shall be saved if they continue in faith

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 2:11

In quietness [εν ησυχιαι]
Old word from ησυχιος — hēsuchios In N.T. only here, Acts 22:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:12. [source]
In all subjection [εν πασηι υποταγηι]
Late word (Dion. Hal., papyri), in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 9:13; Galatians 2:5. See 1 Corinthians 14:33-35. [source]
Learn [μανθανέτω]
Comp. 1 Corinthians 14:35. [source]
In silence [ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ]
See on peaceable, 1 Timothy 2:2. Rev. renders quietness; but the admonition concerns the behavior of women in religious assemblies. Comp. 1 Corinthians 14:34. The word is used in the sense of silence, Acts 22:2: with the broader meaning quietness in 2 Thessalonians 3:12. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 2:11

Galatians 2:5 We gave place by subjection [εἴξαμεν τῇ ὑποταγῇ]
We, Paul and Barnabas. Gave place or yielded, N.T.oBy the subjection which was demanded of us. The noun only in Paul and the Pastorals, and always in the sense of self- subjection. Comp. 2 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 2:11; 1 Timothy 3:4. [source]
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner that women [οσαυτως γυναικας]
ουλομαι — Boulomai must be repeated from 1 Timothy 2:8, involved in οσαυτως — hosautōs (old adverb, as in Romans 8:26). Parry insists that προσευχομενας — proseuchomenas (when they pray) must be supplied also. Grammatically that is possible (Lock), but it is hardly consonant with 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (White). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 2:11 mean?

A woman in quietness let learn all submissiveness
Γυνὴ ἐν ἡσυχίᾳ μανθανέτω πάσῃ ὑποταγῇ

Γυνὴ  A  woman 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: γυνή  
Sense: a woman of any age, whether a virgin, or married, or a widow.
ἡσυχίᾳ  quietness 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡσυχία  
Sense: quietness.
μανθανέτω  let  learn 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μανθάνω  
Sense: to learn, be appraised.
ὑποταγῇ  submissiveness 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑποταγή  
Sense: the act of subjecting.