Nora, what you have said about the Twelve as judges is so important in debating JPII's Mulieris Dignitatem and Ordinatio Sacerdotalis against women priests. Do you realize Catechism #1577 sets bishops up as a continuation of the "college of the twelve"? But there was no continuation after Matthias' election. Paul says he is an apostle. Paul distinguishes himself from 'super-apostles,' presumably the 12, but also says he is not inferior to them (2Co 11:5 and 12:11 NRSV). Despite Paul not being part of the 'college of 12,' the bishops consider themselves to be its continuation. The bishops think they are Gentile judges of Israel under a New Covenant?? Mt 19:28 has 12 thrones, but not Lk 22:30. Also 24 thrones in Revelation 

I also recall that Deborah was a judge of Israel, despite being female.

I recommend to you the JuniaProject.com at http://juniaproject.com/?s=timothy+2%3A12 This is a search page for her 1Tim 2:12 posts "I do not permit [a woman] to teach or have authority" etc