Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 2:12

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But I suffer not a woman to teach." "I do not suffer," he says. What place has this command here? The fittest. He was speaking of quietness, of propriety, of modesty, so having said that he wished them not to speak in the church, to cut off all occasion of conversation, he says, let them not teach, but occupy the station of learners. For thus they will show submission by their silence. For the sex is naturally somewhat talkative: and for this reason he restrains them on all sides. "For Adam," says he, "was first formed, then Eve. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 9 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The Apostle takes away from woman every occasion for speaking in church. For after he commanded them to be silent, so that they would not speak under the plausible pretext of teaching, he said: let them not teach; because this would give them authority and preeminence over the husband. Meanwhile, the wife is commanded to be in submission. "Your desire shall be for your husband," it is said (Gen. 3:16). Thus it is fitting for her to keep silence. Through silence she will best show her submission. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Likewise, he states what things are not permitted to women, saying nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence. Consequently, he forbids them to teach. Against this, the vision wherewith his mother instructed him (Prov 31:1). I answer that some teaching is public, and this does not belong to woman, and thus he says in the church, some is private, and by this a mother teaches her son. But we read that Deborah taught the people of Israel (Judg 5:7). …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗