die Stille – silence
IPA: [ˈʃtɪlə]
Etymology: Middle High German stille, Old High German stillī[1]
Meaning: Zustand des Ruhigseins[1] – The state of calmness, quietness.
1. Timotheus 2,11 Ein Weib lerne in der Stille in aller Unterwürfigkeit.
1 Timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
What does it mean to say that a woman should learn in silence? Does that mean that women are not permitted to speak? I don’t believe that to be the case.
The original word in the Greek that is translated as Stille (in German) or silence (in English) is ἡσυχία (hésuchia). It not only means silence, but also bears the meanings of quietness, tranquility, and peacefulness. In 1 Timothy 2:2, the word translated as “peaceable” is the adjective form ἡσύχιος (hésuchios).
This sort of quiet life is what all Christians are called to lead, and not only women
2. Thessalonicher 3,12 Solchen aber gebieten wir und ermahnen sie in dem Herrn Jesus Christus, daß sie, in der Stille arbeitend, ihr eigenes Brot essen.
2 Thessalonians 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
The reason why Christians are able to live such a life even when they face persecution from the world that is at odds with them is because they have God’s peace in their lives.
Johannes 14,27 Frieden lasse ich euch, meinen Frieden gebe ich euch; nicht wie die Welt gibt, gebe ich euch. Euer Herz werde nicht bestürzt, sei auch nicht furchtsam.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
This is the first of a new series of posts. These next few posts will focus on words taken from 1 Timothy 2:11-15. I recently studied these verses in detail as they were something that I shared during Sunday School just a few weeks ago. I thought I could do something slightly different.
Many of the ideas were taken from the messages by John Piper on these verses: Manhood, Womanhood, and the Freedom to Minister and Affirming the Goodness of Manhood and Womanhood in All of Life, as well as the article How Are Women Saved Through Childbearing?
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