I Suffer Not A Woman

I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

–1 Timothy 2:12 KJV

This passage troubles those who desire greater leadership roles for women in ministry but who also want to remain loyal to Scripture. Did Paul forbid a woman to exercise her leadership and teaching gifts, or was he dealing with a particular error in the church?

According to I Suffer Not a Woman, Paul was reacting to a specific problem that was sweeping churches: a myth, taught mostly by women, which later became a foundation for gnosticism. This book offers an in-depth look at the Greek text of 1 Timothy 2:11-15 in the context of the Pastoral Epistles and in its historical context. By illuminating the first-century culture of Ephesus, the Kroegers shed light on the ancient world thought patterns Paul faced and offer a responsible alternative understanding of this much debated passage.

I Suffer Not a Woman is well documented yet easily accessible. Illustrations and photographs provide a fascinating look at the ancient world. It was previously published by Baker in 1992.