UTN uW Translation Notes:

1 Timothy 2 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

5. Paul gives instructions about prayer and behavior in public worship (2:1–15) * Command to pray for all people (2:1–7) * How men should pray (2:8) * How women should behave (2:9–15)

Special Concepts in This Chapter

“Quiet” and “quietness”

Paul uses the adjective “quiet” in 2:2, and he uses the noun “quietness” in 2:11 and 2:12. The word “quiet” describes something that is peaceful or calm. However, Christians debate what the word “quietness” describes. First, some argue that it means something similar to what the word “quiet” means: a situation in which things are peaceful and calm. In this case, Paul is commanding the women in the church to behave in peaceful and calm ways. Second, some argue that it means something stronger than what the word “quiet” means: not speaking in a public setting. In this case, Paul is forbidding the women in the church from contributing to public conversations. If possible, use a word or phrase that could have either of these meanings. See the notes on these verses for translation options.

God desires to save “all men,” and Jesus is a ransom for “all”

In 2:4, Paul writes that God desires that “all men” be saved, and in 2:6, he writes that Jesus is a ransom “for all.” Christians debate whether Jesus died to save certain people specifically (either those whom God has chosen or those who will believe) or whether he died to save all people (although some may not accept this salvation). So, Paul could be using the word “all” to refer to all different kinds or groups of people, or he could be using the word “all” to refer to every human. Since Paul uses general terms in these verses, it is recommended that you also use a general term that refers to all people. If this is a significant issue in your area, you could include some of this information in a footnote.

Women in the church

Christians do not agree about what women should and should not do as the church worships and functions. Some Christians believe that women are prohibited from leading and teaching publicly in these settings. Other Christians believe that women can do whatever men do in these settings. Because of that, there are many different interpretations of 2:8–15. While translators cannot ignore their own beliefs, it is important to represent what Paul wrote extremely carefully. If possible, then, a translation should allow for multiple interpretations, just as what Paul wrote allows for multiple interpretations.

Women’s clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles

As in many cultures, in Paul’s culture what women wore and how they did their hair and makeup indicated certain things about them. Wearing fancy hairstyles and expensive jewelry and clothes would indicate that a woman was showing off her or her husband’s wealth. Further, she was drawing attention to herself. People would often criticize women for showing off more than was appropriate for their social status. When Paul prohibits certain types of clothing, hairstyles, and jewelry, he likely has this context in mind. He may be concerned that some women in the church are showing off, or he may want to prevent women in the church from being criticized by others. Either way, your translation should make it clear that Paul refers to clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles to prohibit showing off and drawing attention to oneself. See the notes on 2:9 for translation options.

Adam and Eve

In 2:13–14, Paul refers to two stories about Adam and Eve, the first humans that God created. The first story is about how God made them. He made Adam first, and then he made Eve using one of Adam’s ribs. You can read this story in Genesis 2:5–25. The second story is about how Adam and Eve first sinned. A talking serpent came to Eve and convinced her to eat fruit from a specific tree, even though God had commanded them not to eat fruit from that tree. Once Eve ate the fruit, she gave some fruit to Adam, and he too ate some of it. After that, God came to them and judged them. You can read this story in Genesis 3:1–7. If your readers would not be familiar with these stories, you could include some of this information in footnotes. (See: eve and adam)

“She will be saved through childbearing”

In 2:15, Paul writes that “she will be saved through childbearing.” Christians debate what Paul was claiming, and there are many interpretations of the clause. The most common interpretations are the following:1. “She” could refer to Eve or to women in general, and “childbearing” refers to how many women gave birth until eventually Mary gave birth to Jesus. In this case, God saves Eve, or women in general, by using the process of childbearing to send the Messiah, who saves everyone who believes.2. “She” refers to women in general, and “childbearing” refers to how women give birth to children and raise them. In this case, God saves women as they are acting as wives and mothers.3. “She” could refer to Eve or to women in general, and “childbearing” refers to the birth of a specific child, Jesus. In this case, God saves Eve, or women in general, by sending Jesus, who saves everyone who believes.4. “She” refers to women in general, and “childbearing” refers to the process of giving birth. In this case, God preserves and protects women as they give birth.It is recommended that you follow one of the first two options, and only those two options will appear in the translation note on this issue. If possible, your translation should allow for several options.

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in This Chapter

Men and women, or husbands and wives

In 2:8–10 Paul refers to “men” and “women” using plural nouns that can refer generally to male and female humans and that can also refer more specifically to husbands and wives. In 2:11–12, Paul switches to the singular form: “woman.” Again, this noun can refer generally to a female human and can also refer more specifically to a wife. Some Christians believe that Paul switches to the singular form and later refers to the stories about Adam and Eve because he is giving instructions specifically to wives in 2:11–12. Other Christians believe that Paul is still referring to women in general when he switches to the singular form, which he does to apply the stories about Adam and Eve to the instructions he gives to women in 2:11–12. If your language has a word that could refer to women in general and more specifically to wives, you could use it here. Otherwise, you may need to choose which option to follow. In this case, you could put the other option in a footnote. See the notes on these verses for translation options.