THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN

THE CHURCH

Mike Johnson

The role of women in society has changed dramatically in recent years.    Some changes that have taken place have been good, but many have not been.  Societal changes eventually filter into the church.  Renewed discussion is occurring on this issue, and some are contending for an expanded role for women in the church.  Among many denominations, women preachers are commonplace.  In the past, a woman minister moving into town might have attracted media attention, but today that is not the case.

What does the Bible teach about the role of women in the church?  The teaching of the Scriptures is all that really matters (Gal. 1:6-10; Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Jn. 9), and societal changes should not influence our teaching and practice.  God’s Word teaches that women have an important role in teaching, but it also teaches that their role is different from men.

 Women as Teachers

Matthew 28:18-20 records the Great Commission given to the Apostles.  From this, we learn that they were to “teach all nations,” to baptize those taught, and then to teach those baptized to “observe all things” which Christ had commanded them.  A part of what Christ taught them was to go and teach, so all of those baptized would have the responsibility of teaching.  This would include women.  However, some limitations are placed upon women, as we will see later, and these must be taken into consideration (1 Tim. 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 14:34-35).  Nevertheless, they have a responsibility to teach because of the Commission.

Another passage to consider is 2 Timothy 2:2.  Here, Paul told Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  Timothy was to take God’s Word (which he had heard from Paul) and teach it to “faithful men” who would then be able to teach others.  Since the word “men” is used, how does this pertain to women teaching?  The answer lies with the Greek language.  The word found here is not the word “aner,” which means males, but the word “anthropois,” which refers to mankind.  So, men and women were to be taught, and they in turn would be able to teach others.  Thus, 2 Timothy 2:2 authorizes women to teach God’s Word.

Various other passages show that women are to teach God’s Word.  Titus 2:3-5 reveals that the aged women are to teach the younger women such things as being discreet, chaste, and keepers at home.  Women also have a responsibility to teach their children (2 Tim. 1:5, 3:14-15), and they teach others by their singing (Col. 3:16).

Another significant passage is Acts 18:26, which has Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, teaching Apollos, a male, “the way of God more accurately.”  This shows us that teaching a man in certain settings and situations is proper for a woman. (Note also Acts 8:1,4.)

1 Timothy 2:11-12

In 1 Timothy 2:11-12, the Bible says, “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.”

This passage clearly places some restrictions on the woman.  Does it, however, restrict a woman from teaching in every situation?  Based on the previous passages examined, a woman is clearly allowed, and is in fact required, to teach others. The verses specifically contain a qualification; they tell us that the woman is not to teach or have authority “over the man.”  Therefore, these verses would prohibit a woman from preaching a sermon, teaching a class, leading a prayer, or leading the singing in any setting in which men are present, either in the assembly or out of the assembly.

The NKJV uses the word “silence” in these verses.  However, the word in the original does not mean that she cannot say a word; rather, it means “quietness.”  Some translations (ESV, ASV) render the Greek word as “quietness” or “quiet.”  (Note 2 Thessalonians 3:12 where the same Greek word is used.)  1 Timothy 2:11-12 would not prohibit a woman from teaching a man (Acts 18:26); they would not prohibit her from making comments in a Bible class, nor would they keep her from reading the Scriptures aloud in a Bible class.  She could not do any of these things, however, in an authoritative way or in a position of authority over the man.

I Corinthians 14:34-35

1Corinthians 14:34-35 says, “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.”

Unlike 1 Timothy 2:11-12, the instruction given here pertains specifically to the assembly. Verse 23 says it is talking about when the “whole church comes together into one place.” (Please also note in chapter 14, verses 14:4-5, 12, 18-19, 26, 34).  It is the kind of assembly in which the Lord’s Supper might be served (I Cor. 11:26), so applying these verses to a Bible class setting would be improper.

The word translated “silent” (sigao) is more restrictive than the one found in 1Timothy 2:11-12.  Thayer says that it means, “to keep silence, hold one’s peace.” (p. 574)  Along with 1 Timothy 2:11-12, these verses prohibit a woman from preaching, leading the singing, or making announcements.  Additionally, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 prohibits her from making comments in the assembly or, as the text specifically says, even asking questions.

Some teach that since Paul uses the word “your” in verse 34, he is addressing the wives of the prophets in these verses, and since we do not have prophets today, the instructions do not apply now.  A good case could be made showing that Paul does not have the wives of the prophets, or for that matter, the wives of the tongue speakers, specifically under consideration in the first part of verse 34.  However, even if he is speaking about the wives of the prophets, the general rule which he is applying to them is found in the last part of verse 35, which says, “…for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”

It is interesting that the word “your” (vs. 34), which is often relied upon to bolster this position, is not found in many translations (NASB, ASV).  Instead, it is “the women” or simply “women.” Some use the expression “let them ask their husbands at home” (vs. 35) to show that these verses only apply to the wives of the prophets and are not intended to be a general admonition.  They may ask, “What about the woman who does not have a husband? Who is she supposed to ask?”  A similar question could be asked about the “at home” part of the statement.  Would it be acceptable to ask her husband a question on the WAY home?  How about at a restaurant?  Of course, she could ask the question there.  The home is mentioned because that is where a wife might typically ask her husband a question.  Compare also I Corinthians 11:34.  In dealing with abuses of the Lord’s Supper, Paul said, “And if any man hunger, let him eat at home….”  Again, a person could have eaten at some other place, such as under a shade tree.  Paul says “home” because that is typically where a person would eat.  The same point could be made of women being told to ask their “husbands.” Women usually have husbands, so Paul worded it as he did in verse 35.

In conclusion, women do have an important responsibility to teach.  However, they have a different role from men in their teaching.  1 Timothy 2:11-12 (which applies everywhere) does not allow the woman to teach the man in such a way as to have authority over the man.   1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (which applies ONLY to the assembly) prohibits the woman from speaking in the assembly, which would certainly eliminate her from taking any leading role in the worship service.  Modern society might call this outdated, but we must be willing to accept what God teaches!