Original Word: αὐθεντέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: authenteó
Pronunciation: ow-then-TEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ow-then-teh'-o)
KJV: usurp authority over
NASB: exercise authority over
Word Origin: [from a compound of G846 (αὐτός - himself) and an obsolete hentes (a worker)]

1. to act of oneself
2. (figuratively) dominate

govern, exercise authority

From a compound of autos and an obsolete hentes (a worker); to act of oneself, i.e. (figuratively) dominate -- usurp authority over.

see GREEK autos

831 authentéō (from 846 /autós, "self" and entea, "arms, armor") – properly, to unilaterally take up arms, i.e. acting as an autocrat – literally, self-appointed (acting without submission).

Word Origin
from autos and a prim. root sen-
Definition
to govern, exercise authority
NASB Translation
exercise authority over (1).

STRONGS NT 831: αὐθεντέω

αὐθεντέω, ἀυθέντω; (a Biblical and ecclesiastical word; from αὐθέντης contracted from αὐτοέντης, and this from αὐτός and ἔντεα arms (others, ἑντης, cf. Hesychius συνεντης συνεργός; cf. Lobeck, Technol., p. 121); hence,

a. according to earlier usage, one who with his own hand kills either others or himself.

b. in later Greek writings one who does a thing himself the author" (τῆς πράξεως, Polybius 23, 14, 2, etc.); one who acts on his own authority, autocratic, equivalent to αὐτοκράτωρ an absolute master; cf. Lobeck ad Phryn., p. 120 (also as above; cf. Winers Grammar, § 2, 1 c.)); to govern one, exercise dominion over one: τινς, 1 Timothy 2:12.

Definition and Scope

The verb αὐθεντεῖν (autentein) conveys the exercise of decisive, directive authority. In 1 Timothy 2:12 Paul places it in parallel with “teach,” indicating oversight that governs doctrine and practice within the gathered assembly. The term does not merely speak of influence but of a governing role that sets boundaries and gives orders.

Context in 1 Timothy 2:8-15

Paul addresses conduct “in every place” (verse 8) where believers assemble for prayer. The men are exhorted to lead in prayer free from anger; the women are called to exhibit modesty, good works, quiet receptivity, and submission. Verse 12 states, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet”. The immediate grounds Paul offers are:

1. The creation order—“For Adam was formed first, and then Eve” (verse 13).
2. The deception in the fall—“And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman” (verse 14).

Thus αὐθεντεῖν functions within an argument rooted in Genesis, indicating enduring ecclesial structure rather than a temporary cultural concession.

Comparison with Other Biblical Terms for Authority

• ἐξουσία (exousia) often speaks broadly of delegated authority (Matthew 28:18).
• κυριεύω (kurieuō) describes lordship (Romans 6:14).
• ποιμαίνω (poimainō) depicts pastoral oversight (1 Peter 5:2).

αὐθεντεῖν is distinct in that it emphasizes the active wielding of decision-making power. Paul’s prohibition therefore targets the authoritative office that combines doctrinal instruction with ruling authority—functions later embodied in the elder/overseer (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

Historical Usage Outside the New Testament

Classical Greek employs cognate nouns for a “master” or “perpetrator.” By the Hellenistic and early Roman eras, verbs in this word-group describe commanding autonomy, sometimes in political decrees where a city “exercises its own authority.” Second-century papyri use the term of people “acting on one’s own authority” in financial or legal transactions. None of these contexts suggest mere violence or murder in Paul’s day; they underline decisive control.

Patristic Interpretation

• Chrysostom comments that Paul “removes women from the office of teaching” in order to preserve good order (Hom. in 1 Tim. 9).
• Tertullian appeals to 1 Timothy 2 to exclude women from public teaching and baptismal administration (De Bapt. 17).

Early Fathers consistently read αὐθεντεῖν as authoritative governance within worship gatherings.

Reformation and Evangelical Commentary

Reformers such as Calvin linked αὐθεντεῖν to the pastoral office, restricting pulpit ministry to qualified men while affirming women’s prophetic and diaconal gifts. Conservative evangelical scholarship continues this understanding, distinguishing the authoritative elder-teaching role from other forms of service open to both sexes (Romans 16:1-6; Acts 18:26).

Theological Implications

Creation establishes complementary order: headship for the man, helpership for the woman (Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 11:8-9). The fall distorts but does not nullify this design. Redemption in Christ restores right relationships without erasing the distinction (Ephesians 5:22-33). αὐθεντεῖν safeguards that creational pattern in corporate worship so that teaching and rule mirror the headship of Christ over His church.

Ministry Application

1. Eldership: Congregations should appoint men who meet 1 Timothy 3 qualifications to carry the teaching-governing mantle.
2. Women’s ministries: Women instruct, disciple, pray, prophesy, and serve in a wide range of roles under elder oversight (Acts 21:9; Titus 2:3-5).
3. Corporate worship: Liturgical planning respects the apostolic boundary, ensuring sermons and doctrinal rulings are delivered by those holding rightful authority.
4. Education: Seminaries and Bible schools may train both men and women, yet ordination councils and elder boards discern how αὐθεντεῖν shapes pulpit and governance responsibilities.

Questions of Translation and Modern Debate

Proposals such as “usurp authority” or “domineer” attempt to narrow Paul’s proscription to abusive behavior. The surrounding syntax (“teach or exercise authority”) and appeal to creation, however, show that Paul addresses the lawful office itself, not merely its misuse. Egalitarian readings struggle to integrate the singular occurrence of αὐθεντεῖν with the wider canonical witness to male headship (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Peter 3:1-7).

Practical Summary

αὐθεντεῖν in 1 Timothy 2:12 marks the decisive, directive authority vested in church elders, an authority that includes doctrinal instruction. Scripture assigns this office to qualified men, while honoring the indispensable contributions of women in every other sphere of church life. Properly understood, the term promotes order, protects sound teaching, and magnifies the harmonious design of the Creator within the household of faith.

αυθεντειν αυθεντείν αὐθεντεῖν αυθημερινού αυθήμερον αυλαία αυλαίαι αυλαίαις αυλαίας αυλαιών αύλακας αύλακες αύλαξι αυλάρχαι authentein authenteînInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts