Hello
Friends!
Welcome
back to part two of “Man,
Woman, the Fall & the Church”
This
week we’ll conclude our series by answering the important question:
”The
Role of Women in the New Testament Church”
The
Role of Women in the New Testament Church
From
the very first book of the Bible we are taught that women, like men, bear the
stamp of God's own image. Men and women were created equal to one
another but have differing roles to play in God’s mandate of
creation.
In
this exciting topical series, we have already considered the following important
foundational aspects to support our study:
The
Bible teaches divinely ordained role distinctions between men and women
– many of which are perfectly evident from the circumstances of creation alone –
which is why we started there!
For
example, women have a unique and vital role in childbearing and the mothering
nurture of little ones. Women themselves also have a particular need for
support and protection, because physically speaking,
they are the "weaker
vessel" and
require their husband’s “understanding” and
“honor” so
his “prayers
may not be hindered” in
all his leadership responsibilities:
Scripture
also establishes the proper order in the family, assigning the often challenging
duties of headship and protection in the home to husbands:
Accordingly,
the Lord has also appointed the men in the church to the teaching,
preaching and leadership roles over other men:
However,
women are by no means marginalized or relegated to any second-class
status! As we’ve also discussed, the Bible teaches women are
equals with men:
In
fact, husbands are commanded to love their wives sacrificially as
Christ loves the church. Even – if necessary – at the cost
of their own lives:
Unlike
any other religious system, Biblical Christianity elevates the
status of women to an unprecedented height. Jesus' followers included several
women – a practice almost unheard of among the rabbis of His day! Not only that,
He encouraged their discipleship and learning by portraying it as something
more needful than simply just domestic service. In fact, Jesus Christ's
first recorded and explicit disclosure of His own identity as the true Messiah
was made to a Samaritan woman at the well:
He
always treated women with the utmost dignity and respect – even women
who might otherwise be regarded as outcasts. He blessed their children, raised
their dead, forgave their sins and restored their virtue and honor! Thus,
He
exalted the position of womanhood itself.
It is no surprise therefore that women became prominent in the ministry of the early first-century church. On the day of Pentecost, when the New Testament church was born, women were there with the chief disciples – praying. Some were renowned for their good deeds; others for their hospitality, still others for their understanding of sound doctrine and their spiritual giftedness. John's second epistle was addressed to a prominent woman in one of the churches under his oversight. Even the apostle Paul – often falsely caricatured by today’s critics of Scripture as a male chauvinist pig – regularly ministered alongside women in the Philippian church. Paul also often recognized and applauded their faithfulness and their giftedness!
With
these initial Scriptures in mind, we will continue our discussion by referring
to the passages found in the (first of three) Pastoral Epistle of 1 Timothy
which most clearly states the prohibition placed upon women in the New Testament
church – public teaching over men:
In Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding public
worship, he prohibits a women to “teach“ or
exercise “authority“
over men
during the worship service. Let’s
further unpack this prohibition…
Remember,
just prior to these passages, Paul had dealt with the proper adornment of a
Christian woman making a claim to godliness – again, with her
virtue in Jesus Christ being the standard:
Paul also expresses to the Corinthian church that the
woman’s inner attitude should manifest itself through quietly receiving
instruction with proper submissiveness to her own husband:
In
this instance, Paul was prohibiting women from any position or situation where
she would be giving authoritative doctrinal instruction or exercising
authority over a group in which there were men present. Paul gives
two reasons for his
prohibition. Notice carefully that Paul's theology has nothing to do
with worldly opinion!
Paul’s first reason is based upon
the “creation
account” outlined in the book of Genesis. The Greek text
actually reads: ''For Adam first
was created, then Eve." The
emphasis is on the order of creation, showing that God's creation order
indicates functional distinction. Adam was
created first and placed in the headship position. Thus, in
the church, men are to formally lead.
Paul's
second reason is
the “deception
factor.” A woman is not to teach and exercise authority over men
in the local church because she is generally more easily deceived:
The literal rendering of Paul’s prohibition reads:
"And Adam was not deceived (misled),
but the woman having been completely deceived, has come to be in transgression
and remained there" Her
emotional sensitivity and nurturing nature is absolutely vital for her
role as a mother and wife. However, they could also be a hindrance in
her doctrinal discernment and understanding.
Again,
as we can see from these passages, the reasoning has nothing to do
with worldly opinion but is tied into the creation
account. This makes the principle of women not teaching or
exercising authority over men trans-cultural – from a Biblical
worldview – and is fully applicable for today.
The Apostle Paul also points out in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 that his prohibition against women speaking in the church
assembly is based on the law:
The ''law'' here
is not referring to the Mosaic Law but rather the first five books of the Hebrew
Bible – the Torah – (Genesis
through Deuteronomy) ~ specifically the book of Genesis:
It is here in the creation
account of Genesis that the Apostle Paul draws his theology on
male headship in which he is applying in this passage. Again, this passage
maintains the submission and headship in the family called for in the
Scripture.
However, these passages do
not prevent a woman from
giving her testimony, offering the Scripture
reading, making announcements, leading
songs, offering a public prayer in the church setting,
teaching other women and youth among other such opportunities
to serve – none of these tasks violate Paul's prohibition.
Another passage that addresses the issue of the women's
role in the church is found in 1 Corinthians
chapter 11. Paul states the theological
principle that the order of headship in the church is God / Christ / man /
woman as the context of this passage is pertaining to the
public worship service:
Paul then continues in this chapter with a church
“tradition” of his day… If a woman prayed, she was to have her “head covered” – the culturally accepted practice in the first
century – showing submission to her husband. In this case, Paul says
“judge” for yourself:
Thus,
women of the first century New Testament church who showed the proper
subordination to the male leadership in the assembly were allowed to pray in
public worship…
In
closing:
Although
it is obvious that the Scriptures do indeed place a prohibition on
women in the church, there is tremendous latitude for women's ministry – including areas of
teaching! As the Apostle James
warns:
Therefore, women who do teach the Scriptures – or serve
otherwise – are under the same divine scrutiny and ultimate accountability to
the Lord as are men. Extreme caution is to be applied here!
They must exhibit responsibility as they teach through Word and deed.
They must be an excellent example of mature Christian womanhood for those to
whom they teach and mentor. Church elders should examine their ministry profiles
in light of the biblical injunction to be certain that the Biblical principle of
women not "teaching or exercising
authority over a man" is not being
violated as to disobey the direct command of the
Scriptures.
Blessings
to you, my sisters in the Lord, in your endeavor to be a godly woman – to
the glory of Jesus Christ!
Thank
you for reading! It is
my hope that you now have a better understanding of these very important topics
which are rooted in the Word of God.
Blessings!
Shane <><
- The Genesis chapter 2 account of “Origins” – Creation Mandate – God’s original plan for man and woman.
- The Genesis chapter 3 account of “The Fall” – Original Sin – producing the animosity between Man and Woman.
- The Women of the Bible including the “Virtuous Wife” – Proverbs chapter 31 – along with at least 158 other prominent sisters mentioned!
We
also discovered that the Scriptures never discount the female
intellect, downplay the talents and abilities of women nor discourage the proper
use of women's spiritual gifts. And as we’ve also observed, when the Bible
expressly talks about the marks of an excellent woman, the stress is
always on her feminine virtue. The
most significant women throughout the Scriptures were influential not because of
their careers – but because of their character. The
message these godly women collectively give is not at all about "gender
equality" but is always reflective of true
feminine excellence! And
that is always exemplified in their moral
and
spiritual
qualities
rather than by social standing, wealth, or physical
appearance.
Husbands,
likewise, dwell with
them with
understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and
as being heirs
together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be
hindered
– 1
Peter 3:7
For
the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is
the Savior of the body – Ephesians
5:23
Let
a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to
teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed
first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell
into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they
continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control –
1
Timothy 2:11-15
There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male
nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus
– Galatians
3:28
Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or
wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So
husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his
wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and
cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body,
of His flesh and of His bones. “For
this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh” – Ephesians
5:25-31
Jesus
said to her, “Woman,
believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in
Jerusalem, worship the Father.
You
worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the
Jews.
But
the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father
in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship
Him.
God
is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and
truth.”
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is
called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He –
John
4:21-26
It is no surprise therefore that women became prominent in the ministry of the early first-century church. On the day of Pentecost, when the New Testament church was born, women were there with the chief disciples – praying. Some were renowned for their good deeds; others for their hospitality, still others for their understanding of sound doctrine and their spiritual giftedness. John's second epistle was addressed to a prominent woman in one of the churches under his oversight. Even the apostle Paul – often falsely caricatured by today’s critics of Scripture as a male chauvinist pig – regularly ministered alongside women in the Philippian church. Paul also often recognized and applauded their faithfulness and their giftedness!
Let
a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to
teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed
first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell
into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they
continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control – 1
Timothy 2:11-15
…in
like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly
clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good
works – 1
Timothy 2:9-10
Let
your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but
they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn
something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women
to speak in church –
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
And
Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into
transgression – 1
Timothy 2:14
…but
they are to be submissive, as the law also says –
1 Corinthians 14:34
And
the Lord
God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his
ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the
Lord
God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And
Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh; she shall be
called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and
they shall become one flesh –
Genesis 2:21-24
But
I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is
man, and the head of Christ is God –
1 Corinthians 11:3
Judge
among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head
uncovered? –
1 Corinthians 11:13
My
brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a
stricter judgment – James
3:1
May the
Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and
grace!
Keep
looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time…
Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord
Jesus!
Shane <><