The Lord tells us in His word how He wants His church governed. Yet there are those who question or outright defy God's will for HIS church. And it is His church, bought with His blood (Acts 20:28).
As such, He has the right to give instructions about what He wants for the body of Christ (1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Corinthians 14:37). Unfortunately, there are some who wish to impose their opinions, preferences, or political correctness onto the church by rejecting the word of God.
One of the most hotly rejected New Testament mandates is the subject of women not being permitted to be pastors, ministers, or other spiritual leaders of the church.
Before going into an outline of the biblical bases for women not being permitted to lead churches, the following represent a few of the arguments proponents use for it and brief responses.
Some people argue from Old Testament examples.
They forget that those were Old Testament examples. They were also exceptions to the norm. But the New Testament has no such traditions.
Some people focus on the New Testament example of Aquila and Priscilla.
People like to talk about Aquila and Priscilla instructing Apollos (Acts 18:26). However, they forget that it was done privately and Aquila (a man) was also a part of it.
In addition, there were no female apostles. They were men (e.g. Acts 1:21-23). No apostle was a woman.
Some argue about the culture of the New Testament times.
Those who reject the word of God say these commands were cultural and that it is different now. However, they forget that these commands were given to the church.
The commands to the church are extra-cultural. Paul did not qualify his remarks as being cultural. When people say that, they are attempting to twist word of God to suit their personal preferences.
So is the word of God simply relative for all of us, can we attribute everything we do not like about the New Testament to "the culture of that day"? Can we just pick and choose what we will accept? If so, we make the word of God of no effect.
The word of God clearly states and clarifies with argument that women are subordinate to the authority of the man in the church (1 Timothy 2:11), that women are not to usurp authority of men in the church (1 Timothy 2:12), and that a man is to be a pastor (or bishop; 1 Timothy 3:1-2), i.e. lead the church. Those who teach otherwise are in disagreement with God's plainly revealed will for His church.
Outline
The following is an outline that provides scriptural bases for restricting women from the role of pastors or other spiritual leader of the Christian church.
The assumption is that one would take the time to read the passages as they are written, clearly and plainly, and consider the point raised. The outline is based on Paul's own arguments for this restriction as written in the epistles.
The conclusions tie it all together. If one approaches the word of God without preconceived notions, letting the word of God speak for itself, the points are valid as the will of God for the governance of His church.
The Facts
1. Man and woman made equal in humanity (Genesis 1:26-27, Galatians 3:28).
2. Man and woman were made equal in humanity but not in order (Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 11:8-9, 1 Timothy 2:13).
3. Man was given headship over the woman.
A. God gave the command to Adam (Genesis 2:16-17).
B. Woman made from Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:21-22).
C. Woman was made a help meet for man (Genesis 2:18,20).
D. Woman was made for the man (1 Corinthians 11:9).
E. Adam called her woman (i.e. Adam named her, Genesis 2:23; cf. Genesis 2:19).
F. God called for Adam in the Garden not Eve (Genesis 3:9).
G. God held Adam responsible for Eve’s action (Genesis 3:17, Romans 5:12).
i. However, Eve was held personally accountable (Genesis 3:16).
ii. Nevertheless, Adam failed to lead Eve in this matter.
a. A consequence of the fall: man would rule over the woman (cf. rule over, exercise lordship over, exercise authority over, Mark 10:42; Genesis 3:16; these appear to be more decrees or judgments, than curses.) That is, there would be conflict in the now fallen union (Ryrie 1994). But the fallen union can be restored in Christ by observing Ephesians 5:22, 25; cf. Mark 10:43-45).
H. In Christ, the man is the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23).
4. The woman was deceived, not the man (Genesis 3:1-4, 1 Timothy 2:14).
5. The woman is called the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7).
A. Eve was beguiled by the serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3).
B. Why did the serpent go to the woman and not the man (Genesis 3:1-5)?
C. Carried away by teachings (i.e. changeable minds, prone to accept new teaching, swayed by impulses [Ryrie 1994], 2 Timothy 3:6-7).
The Church
1. Women in the church (prescriptive not descriptive, cf. 1 Corinthians 14:37).
A. Commanded to be silent (i.e. hold their peace, 1 Corinthians 14:34; i.e. be still and quiet, 1 Timothy 2:11-12).
i. A possible reference to prophesying or questioning (i.e. challenging) male speakers in 1 Corinthians 14:34, but it is clear in 1 Timothy 2:11-12 that women are to be silent in the church. Paul would not contradict himself.
B. Women are not permitted to speak (i.e. preach, rant, prolonged discourse; 1 Corinthians 14:34).
C. Women are not to teach men (1 Timothy 2:12).
i. Supported by order (Adam first, 1 Timothy 2:13; Ryrie 1994).
ii. Supported by transgression (Eve deceived, 1 Timothy 2:14; Ryrie 1994).
D. Women are not to usurp authority over a man (i.e. take authority from man, 1 Timothy 2:12).
i. Eve usurped Adam’s headship in Genesis 3:6 when she made the choice to eat the fruit instead of yielding to Adam’s authority and bringing it to his attention.
ii. Commanded to yield (submit) to the authority of her husband (1 Peter 3:1; See also: Ephesians 5:22,24; Colossians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 11:8-9, Genesis 2:18).
a. Implies disobedient, less mature, or even unsaved husbands (cf. 1 Peter 3:1).
b. By implication the minister of the word (cf. not to question the teacher, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35).
c. Should also be understood in the context of being obedient and submissive to pastors (cf. Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 1 Timothy 5:17)
d. Men should practice Ephesians 5:1-21 and 25-33 to avoid ruling over their wives (Genesis 3:16) and ease the burden for the woman.
F. Women may teach younger women (Titus 2:3-5).
i. May include male children up to a certain age (puberty).
ii. May teach men outside of the church (in the presence of her husband, cf. Acts 18:26).
G. Women are commanded to focus on the home and developing one another (Titus 2:3-5, cf. Proverbs 31:27).
Conclusions
1. Men should be encouraged to lead (in the church and at home).
2. Men should be given opportunities to lead (in the church and at home).
3. Men should be trained to lead in all areas (in the church and at home).
4. Men should govern their wives to maintain order in the church (1 Corinthians 14:40).
5. Women in the church are not to teach men, question (publicly challenge) teachers; nor given authority over men.
6. Women ought to encourage the man in his leadership role (cf. Ephesians 5:33).
7. Women should yield opportunities for the man to lead (cf. Ephesians 5:22).
8. Women should learn to submit to the leadership of their own husbands to maintain order in the church (1 Corinthians 14:40).
9. Women are to focus on the home and on developing one another.
Final Thoughts
Women are not second-class citizens in the kingdom of God. To the contrary, God says there is neither male nor female in Christ (Galatians 3:28). But that does not negate the order of creation nor His mandate for the governance of His church.
Women can counsel others from the Bible, they can teach the Bible, and even speak to men about the truth of God's word, but these things are to be done in the proper context (i.e. informal settings, in homes, in social gatherings, in designated women's or children's classes within the church).
However, the Bible is clear: when the church gathers, women are not to lead. They are to yield to the will of God, yield to the authority of the man, and humbly encourage men to be the leaders God made them to be. That means they must remain silent at times.
Written by Jerry Smith
Image source: Photo by Diane Helentjaris on Unsplash
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