Deception and Eve
For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 1 Tim 2:13-14
Understanding the cultural setting of First Timothy may aid in understanding what Paul was trying to communicate in this Scripture. At the time of his writing, there was false doctrine in Ephesus spread in part by women. Timothy’s first book was in response to the false doctrines seeping into the church in that day.
As previously stated these heresies were not just being perpetuated by women, but men as well. However there was one false doctrine in particular that was being spread by liberated yet unlearned Ephesian women. They were mixing Jewish tradition, Christian and pagan doctrines. Even some teaching of the false goddess, Diana (also known as Artemis) began to creep into the church. It sounded good especially to those brought up in paganism, but was a deadly virus that had begun to spread, corrupting new believers with a lie. This is why Timothy wrote in such strong terms.
In Ephesus, the doctrine of the Gnostics began to appear. Gnosticism taught that Eve was created first, and she was called “The Originator” in the Gnostics version of creation. They taught that Eve was Adam’s mother, not his wife, and was called “the progenitor of mankind.” She is also said to have illuminated the earth as “The Illuminator” when she listened to the serpent. This particular act of Eve’s which true believers view as disobedience to God, was viewed by Gnostics as enlightenment because Eve partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and her eyes were opened. They also claimed that Adam was more or less the bad guy because he tried to stand in Eve’s way from partaking of the fruit.
In this scripture, Paul is setting the record straight according to Genesis. Adam was created first, not Eve. Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived–not enlightened–deceived! Paul was not just coming against the women teaching false doctrine. First timothy 1:20 says he delivered two men to satan, Hymenaeus and Alexander. Also Titus 1:10-11 says there were many rebellious men who were to be silenced. First Timothy 1:3 says that certain men were to be instructed not to teach strange doctrine. So this issue of false doctrine was infecting both genders.
October 26 2009 02:24 pm | Bible Study and Christianity Today
Tina on 26 Oct 2009 at 2:32 pm #
Interesting! Thank you for that “enlightenment” into the Word. Love you!