But I don't permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.
Exactly what did Paul prohibit women from doing in 1 Timothy 2:12? He did not want them to teach a man or to exercise authority over a man in the local church meetings (1 Timothy 3:15). [Note: See David P. Kuske, "An Exegetical Brief on 1 Timothy 2:12: (oude authentein andros)," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly 88:1 (Winter 1991):64-67; and Mounce, p. 130.] Teaching the Scriptures is in view. This is more appropriate to the male’s function in the church as a mediator between God and people (cf. Genesis 2) because it involves interpreting God’s Word to the church as an authoritative figure (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:8). Paul forbade women from regularly teaching men in local church corporate worship (1 Timothy 3:15).