SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES THAT SUGGEST LIMITS

Does the New Testament place any limits at all on women? Are women excluded from any church roles? As we have examined the Scriptural and historical evidence we have discovered that they are not. Both men and women are acknowledge in, and commended for partaking of the same roles as men (apostles, evangelists, prophets, teachers, and deacons). What then is the source of the debate today? Why so much controversy with a Woman’s Role in the 21st Century Church? The answer is actually found in the Scriptures. There are TWO New Testament passages that are consistently claimed to address women and their roles in ministry. Over and over again these two passages are cited as absolute biblical proof that women cannot hold certain roles or positions in the church. And, even though, these passages raise legitimate questions, and need to be considered, it is vital to our understanding that such consideration be done in light of biblical interpretation!

In other words, every Scripture must be interpreted in the light of what other Scripture say on the same subject. They must harmonize with all other Scriptures, and MUT NOT contradict any point, principle, or precept of the Word of God! Much error has resulted from ignoring this law of interpretation, because Christians and people do not consider the LAW OF FIRST REFERENCE and fail to harmonize their interpretation with all other Scripture.

WOMEN SHOULD REMAIN SILENT IN THE CHURCHES - 1 Corinthians 14:33-35

In 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 the apostle Paul wrote, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." Paul’s statement to the church seems to be pretty straight forward. Women are not permitted to speak out in church. In other words, they can visit shut-ins, organize potlucks, run a food bank, serve in the nursery, and even teach a Sunday School class, but when the congregation meets for worship (or any other ministerial activity), women are not to open their mouths. If we were to read and stop at verse 34 of this passage, then we could conclusively say that this is exactly what Paul is saying. However, if we were to do that, then we violate the law of interpretation because all Scripture must be interpreted in the light of what other Scriptures say. Remember, we must harmonize with all other Scriptures, and MUST NOT contradict any point, principle, or precept of the Word of God! Consider the following points:

Someone once said that, "A text without a context is a pretext!" When you read 1 Corinthians 14:33-35, you have to read it in the context of the whole chapter and book. When you ONLY read verses 34 and 35, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." there is no doubt that Paul said for women to remain silent in the churches. However, the problem with this interpretation alone is that it also contradicts 1 Corinthians 11:5, "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head..."

The Greek word Paul used for "prophesieth" is <propheteuo> meaning; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office. This is the same Greek word Paul used in 1 Corinthians 14:4-5 to describe the gift of prophesy that edifies the church, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth <propheteuo> edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied <propheteuo>: for greater is he that prophesieth <propheteuo> than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."

How can a woman be told by Paul, "...every woman that prayeth or prophesieth [<propheteuo> foretell events, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office to edify the church] with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head..." And then later (in the same book) be told, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak...for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." When you attempt to interpret 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 in the light of other Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:5), then the interpretation that a woman should remain silent in the churches is wrong!

What was Paul actually saying in this passage? What is the correct interpretation for 1 Corinthians 14:34-35? Let’s begin with the context of this chapter. When you read verses 34 and 35, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." You must consider what Paul is talking about and why he is saying what he is saying. Chapter 14 is broken down into THREE separate contexts. In verses 1 through 6, Paul is talking about the "Superiority of Prophesy" - "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." (verse 1). In verses 7 through 25, Paul is talking about the "Gift of Tongues" - "So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air." (verse 9). And in verses 26 through 40, Paul is talking about "How to Exercise the Gifts in Public Worship" - "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." (verse 26).

So from verses 26 through 40, Paul is trying to put in place some guidelines for participation during worship in the church, "....when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation..." Paul is telling the church, "Each one of you has a contribution, but all contributions must he made in an orderly fashion." Why do you think Paul declares in verse 33, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints." (NIV), because people were out of order during the worship. So, when you look at verses 34 and 35 in light of the context of how to act in exercising one’s gifts in the church, what Paul is telling women is how she should contribute, and NOT whether she can contribute or not!Finally, when Paul declared, "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." he was talking to ONLY one group of women!

Consider this, was Paul talking to ALL women? The answer is NO! Why? Because NOT ALL women had husbands! What about the young single girls and the widows? Paul said, "...if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home..." Ask who? THEIR HUSBANDS!!! Somehow ONLY the married women were being disruptive during the worship. Even verses 34 and 35 verify this, "Let your women keep silence in the churches..." The Greek word for "women" is <gune> which means; a woman or wife. In the Greek the word <gune> is used interchangeably for "woman" or "wife." And in verse 34 the English translation for "women" is incorrect, it should have been "wives," "Let your WIVES keep silence in the churches..." Why? Because verse 35 confirms it, "And if they [who? The wives] will learn any thing, let them ask [who?] their husbands at home: for it is a shame for WIVES to speak in the church."

If we put all these contextual pieces together a plausible picture emerges. Married women, in exercising their newly acquired freedom to learn alongside the men, were disturbing the order and flow of the service by asking questions during the worship. In the Bible translation, "The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language" Eugene Peterson translated verses 34 and 35 like this, "Wives must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening, asking questions that could more appropriately be asked of their husbands at home."

WOMEN SHOULD NOT TEACH - 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Another passage on women’s roles in the church, that has been greatly debated is 1 Timothy 2:11-15. But before we can get a handle on this passage we need to identify the context of the text. The first thing to note is that Paul is not giving routine instruction to Timothy, but he is writing in response to situations that had gotten out of hand in he church:

1. False teachers needed to be silenced (1 Timothy 1:3-7, 18-20; 4:1-8; 5:20-22; 6:3-10, 20-21).
2. Two leaders of the church had been expelled (1 Timothy 1:20).
3. Men in the congregation were angry and quarrelsome (1 Timothy 2:8).
4. Women were dressing immodestly and being disruptive (1 Timothy 2:9-15).
5. Younger widows had turned away from the faith to follow Satan (1 Timothy 3:15).
6. Elders needed to be publicly rebuked (1 Timothy 5:20).
7. The rich had become arrogant, putting their hope in wealth (1 Timothy 6:17).
8. Some in the church had turned to godless chatter and controversies and in so doing had wandered away from the faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

Overall, the church in Ephesus was in turmoil, presenting an immense pastoral challenge for Timothy. So when Paul is addressing these issues in the church, in language very similar to 1 Corinthians 14, he once again seems to be forbidding women from not only speaking in a congregational setting, but also from teaching. So the questions arise, what was Paul actually saying in these passages?

Let’s consider the actual translation of 1 Timothy 2:11-12 first. The same principle applies here as it did in 1 Corinthians 14. When Paul declared, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." there are several key Greek words that must be considered (the original Greek Scripture is not incorrect. The English translation is not clear because of the choice of English words).

The Greek word for "woman" is <gune> which means; a woman or wife. Again, in the Greek the word <gune> is used interchangeably for "woman" or "wife." And in verses 11 and 12 the English translation for "woman" is incorrect and should have been "wife." The same principle applies to the word "man." The Greek word Paul used in this passage is <aner> meaning; husband. If Paul was talking about a male or man he would have used <anthropos> meaning; man-faced, male human being, man. We can see the same incorrect translation of the English word in 1 Timothy 5:9 where Paul declared, "Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man." 1 Timothy 5:9. Here they translated <gune> as "wife," but <aner> as "man." The correct English translation should have been, "Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife [<gune>] of one HUSBAND [<aner>]."

So 1 Timothy 2:11-12 should read, "Let the WIFE learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a WIFE to teach, nor to usurp authority over the HUSBAND, but to be in silence." And verses 13 and 14 further confirm that Paul is talking about the husband and wife relationship in this context because he uses a husband and wife (Adam and Eve) example to further bring his point across, "For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

Taking the above context into consideration then, what is the correct interpretation for 1 Timothy 2:11-12? When we read verses 11 and 12, "Let the WIFE learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a WIFE to teach, nor to usurp authority over the HUSBAND, but to be in silence." we need to consider what Paul is talking about and why he is saying what he is saying. Chapter 2 is broken down into TWO separate contexts. In verses 1 through 8, Paul is talking about "Prayer in Public Worship" - "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." (verse 1). But in verses 9 through 15, Paul is talking about "Wives in Public Worship" - "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." (verses 9-10).

Was Paul talking to ALL women? Again the answer is NO! Why? Because NOT ALL women had husbands! Paul said, "Let the WIFE learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a WIFE to teach, nor to usurp authority over the HUSBAND, but to be in silence." Usurp authority over who? THE HUSBAND!!! Just like Paul wrote in the church of Corinth, it seems that the wives in Ephesus were trying to dominate their husbands in church. The Greek word for "usurp" is <authenteo> which means; dominate, usurp authority over. So naturally, Paul is trying to put in place some type of order for the husband and wife during worship in the church, "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy...that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." Paul is telling the church, "First pray, intercede, and give thanks for the men, that they may step up and lead!" So, when you look at verses 11 and 12 in light of the context of what is going on in the church of Ephesus during the worship, then what Paul is saying in this particular passage is telling the wives of the church how to behave with husbands (divine order), and NOT what they are allowed to do or not in the church!

What can we conclude then regarding the passages found in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12? We can surmise that according to Scripture, women both in Corinth and Ephesus were having difficulty handling their newly found freedom in Christ and sometimes expressed this freedom in inappropriate ways.

At Corinth the eagerness of married women to learn resulted in a disruption of the orderly flow of worship. For this reason Paul admonished the church, "Let your WIVES keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their HUSBANDS at home: for it is a shame for WIVES to speak in the church." 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. In other words, "Wives (married women), since you CAN now learn alongside of men, DO NOT disrupt the order and flow of the service by asking questions during the worship, when you should be listening. But instead, if you have any questions ask your husbands at home, where it is a more appropriate setting."

At Ephesus the freedom of married women to learn and to teach led them to do so in a contentious and dictatorial fashion. This is why Paul wrote, "Let the WIFE learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a WIFE to teach, nor to [dominate] authority over the HUSBAND, but to be in silence." 1 Timothy 2:11-12. In other words, "Wives (married women), because you are now, "...heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..." Romans 8:17, and because "...many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:27-29, and because now you can participate with men in ministry, DO NOT try to dominate or control your husbands. Because when you do you violate God’s spiritual principle of DIVINE ORDER! But learn in a quiet and gentle spirit, and when you minister in church and exercise your God given roles in the church DO IT with this divine order in mind. Otherwise, keep silent and do not teach!"

Both abuses in these passages were understandable given the primary domestic and lifelong subordinate roles women played in the culture of that day. So Paul writes the church "NOT" to tell women what roles they CAN and CANNOT perform in church, "NOR" what is it that women are allowed to do as far as ministry and leadership roles in the church. But Paul is writing to the church because in both cases married women needed correction in the proper behavior of the church! Paul was trying to remind the church that the relationship between the sexes is to be one of mutual submission, "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:21.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH

According to Scripture and historical accounts God has gifted women in exactly the same ways he has gifted men. Nowhere in the New Testament are gifts restricted to a particular gender, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are ALL one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:27-29. In Scripture, women are affirmed as prophets, teachers, deacons, and worship leaders. They are commended for their faithfulness and excellence as apostles, evangelists, and patrons. They are also praised as coworkers, coprisoners, and colaborers in the gospel.

And one of the major reasons church roles in the New Testament are nowhere defined on the basis of gender, is because the concept of the local church in the New Testament was an "organic concept" and not a "hierarchical concept," "...speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body [both male and female], joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV).

In other words, the governing principle of relationships in the local church was one of "Mutual Submission" NOT one of "Top-Down Management." The church is called to serve! To submit one to another out of reverence for Jesus Christ. We are called to, "Submit...to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour ALL men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." 1 Peter 2:13-17. (Special note: Verse 17 gives the impression Peter is talking to men only! However, when he says, "Honour ALL men. Love the brotherhood..." there is no Greek word for "men." And the Greek word for "brotherhood" is <adelphotes> meaning; the feeling of brotherliness, brethren.). Verse 17 then should read, "Honour ALL [both men and women]. Love the brethren [male and female]..."

Why then has the 21st century church been so hesitant in allowing women in leadership positions? Some of it is just plain prejudice. The Scriptures were translated to Latin, English, and Spanish, during a time of a male dominated society! Even the tone and spirit of the translations is biased towards the male dominated psyche. When you read the original Hebrew-Arabic and Greek originals, NO such bias is intended, because women were a part of all aspects of society. Even when they were considered property and second class citizens! But the most common reason for not allowing women in ministry is simple misconceptions regarding biblical leadership (thus the reason for this lesson). In the 21st century mind set, as soon as we think of leadership in terms of being in authority, our reason immediately leads us to the notions of hierarchy and male headship. Ironically, this is NOT the language of secular society, nor the mind set of the early church community. The New Testament language of local church leadership was not as it is set up today, were we magnify the office and position, rather than the actual work of ministry. The New Testament church always magnified pastoral care, guidance, shepherding, overseeing, servanthood and leadership by example and hard work.

We find the prime example of "Mutual Submission" in leadership in the ministry of Jesus Christ! The disciples DID NOT follow Jesus because he ruled them well, but they followed Jesus because He pastored them well. He is the Good Shepherd because he knows each sheep by name and was willing to lay down his life for them (John 10:2-3, 11,14-15; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4), if that is not "Mutual Submission" I don’t know what is! This model of leadership is also echoed in the epistles. Both Peter and Paul described leadership as those who keep watch over the flock and shepherd God’s church, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:28 (read 29 to 35). In the early church, leaders were eager to serve not lording their authority over those entrusted to them by the Holy Spirit.

Leaders in the church were to be examples to the flock, "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2-3.

After examining the Scriptural and historical role of women in ministry during Old Testament times and the New Testament church, what relevance does all this study have to do with our current attitudes toward women in ministry in the 21st century the church? To be able to answer this question in an accurate biblical manner, we have to look at how the Lord Himself dealt with this issue. The Lord’s words and actions imply several principles that governed his relationships to women:

Consider this, why is it that most of the teaching in women’s groups address women as to their roles as wives and mothers, while men are much less frequently taught on their roles as husbands and fathers? Because the church looks at the value of women only in terms of their ability to function within the role of wife and mother! LET’S CHANGE THAT!!! Let the church of the 21st century allow women to serve to the best of their ability. Let us NOT assume that all women JUST have a domestic bent, an artistic eye and a way with kids. But let us address the questions, "What do we do with a woman who exhibits a special teaching gifts, or theological insight, or has the gift of evangelizing and reaching the lost? What do we do with a well educated woman who has the ability to start a domestic violence shelter, or a group home, or a children’s home? What do we do with a woman who exhibits a special gift for counseling and leading?" Do we equally affirm all women as they take initiative in exercising their unique God given gifts? Or do we constrain them with limits of our own church subculture?CONCLUSION

Jesus was not afraid to defy cultural prohibitions when it came to relating to women, but neither did He fully implement his kingdom vision. While the Gospel writers present evidence of Jesus having followers who were women, the fact remains that Jesus did not choose women as part of the twelve disciples. Does this imply that women are barred from leadership roles within the church? NO!!! Even though Jesus prepared the soil for the full implementation of his kingdom vision, He did not Himself institute all the radical changes that the implementation of that vision required. Only with time and the extreme struggle and sacrifice of the early church, did the full vision of the Lord become a reality. When Paul declared in Galatians 3:27-29, "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (NIV), the final phrase "...in Christ...there is neither...male nor female..." has yet to become a reality within the 21st century church.

Today, women in leadership has become acceptable in almost every sphere of our society - except the church! The time has come for the church to free itself from its self-imposed bondage and allow the vision of Jesus Christ to break through to its fullest. Attached you will find a sample "Organizational Chart" used to assist the church in finding a place and role for women in ministry in the 21st century church. Use it to fulfill God’s plan, for ALL of God’s people, in ministry of God’ church. Author Gretchen Gaebelein Hull said it best in her book Equal to Serve, "Ministry and Leadership in the New Testament are a cooperative venture, whose success depends on the gifting and empowerment of women and men committed to serving Christ and the church. As we move into the 21st century, may we labor faithfully at providing men and women every possible avenue to function as the partners and coworkers God created them to be."