Authenteō means to have authority over, to exercise authority, or to dominate another. This rare Greek word appears only once in the New Testament (1 Timothy 2:12). It differs from the usual Greek word for authority (exousia) and has been the subject of significant scholarly discussion regarding its precise nuance — whether it implies legitimate authority, independent authority, or domineering control.
The use of authenteō in 1 Timothy 2:12 has been central to theological debates about gender, authority, and church leadership. Whatever one's interpretation of Paul's instruction, the passage points to the fundamental principle that all authority in the church derives from Christ and must be exercised in service, not domination. True authority is always servant-authority in the kingdom of God.