Teachings,+what+does+the+bible+say+about+women+in+the+church

What does the bible say about women in the church
(Kai Stormwalker)

In order to discuss the role of women in the church let’s start out with a scripture that often seems to be overlooked or misconstrued.

For 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

Now I have heard the argument put forth that this is about some point in the future when Jesus returns to establish his rule over the earth. I see one major flaw in that idea. If that were the case wouldn’t it say “There will be…” rather than “There is…” Let’s go back a couple of verses and take it in context.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. For 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 3:26-28

This makes it pretty clear that, according to Paul, faith in Christ makes all people equal regardless of gender, nationality, social standing, skin color, sexual orientation, etc. But what about some of the other things Paul said? Let’s take a look at a couple of scriptures that at first glance would seem to indicate that women are not equal to men.

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 silent. 1 Timothy 2:11-12

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 husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Let’s look at the cultural setting. If we assume that through faith in Christ everyone is made equal, what impact might this have had on people who were previously unequal, like women?

For one thing, suddenly having worth when you previously felt worthless could go to your head. To quote Tony Campolo:

“It seems as though the women in the early church were abusing their new-found Christian freedom. The realization that in Christ there was “neither male nor female” and that women stood before God as equals to men led them to be carried away into excesses which were both shocking and unkind. Many evangelical scholars contend that these women, emancipated by their new status in Christ, were standing up in church meetings and putting down their husbands, giving them lectures no how they should behave.*”

This would help explain another scripture from Paul that is also often misunderstood.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. 1 Corinthians 11:5

This scripture would seem to indicate that women are allowed to speak in church. The controversy is over whether or not they should do so with their head uncovered. Which is pretty much a moot point today as women rarely cover their heads at all. Even with Easter bonnets.

It is interesting that pretty much every “white” Christian church allows women to teach children and they also have no problem at all with sending women off as missionaries to teach men, women, and children who have dark skin. But when those same missionary women return to their home church they are not allowed to teach “white” men. This seems to indicate some level of prejudice on behalf of these churches. Just something to think about.

Now let’s go back in time to the Old Testament and see what it has to say on this subject.

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on my menservants and my

maidservants I will pour out my spirit in those days.

Joel 2:28-29 quoted in Acts 2:17-18


 * Tony Campolo, “20 Hot Potatoes Christians Are Afraid to Touch” pages 37-38, W Publishing Group copyright 1988

Here is an interesting article I just ran across.

by Mimi Haddad 02-16-2009
 * Women Leaders in the Early Church**

Look at these astonishing verses from Romans 16.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother — a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you (Romans 16:1-15, NRSV).

Have you ever noticed how the church in the first century was far more egalitarian (with respect to class, gender, and ethnicity) than many evangelical churches are today? Isn’t this astonishing! Just look at the list of believers Paul celebrates as his colleagues in bringing the good news of Jesus to the world in Romans 16:1-15. A vast portion of these saints, who were also leaders in the church, were women and slaves. If we are people who hold scripture as an authoritative guide to our faith and our practices, then why don’t more churches today reflect the leadership that women enjoyed in the first-century church in Rome?

Who are these women in Romans 16? Paul begins his roll call of leaders with a woman — Phoebe, a deacon and leader who carried Paul’s letters to the church in Rome. By citing Phoebe first, Paul affirms the leadership of women already in place in this church. Further, Paul asks that the church in Rome “receive Phoebe in the Lord,” suggesting that Phoebe be received as Paul’s emissary to remain with the church, giving additional verbal commentary on Paul’s letters to the Christians in Rome.

Paul then turns his attention to the leadership of Priscilla, another female leader who earned Paul’s respect as a house church leader (1 Corinthians 16:19), a teacher of men (Acts 18:26), and a courageous leader who risked her neck for the gospel (Romans 16:4). She is also a woman Paul celebrates as his co-worker (Romans 16:3), a distinction she shares with men such as Timothy, Titus, Epaphroditus, and Philemon.

Paul then remembers the hard (gospel) work of Mary, and the leadership of Junia the apostle (Romans 16:7). Not only was Junia an apostle, but she was “prominent among the apostles,” suggesting that her leadership was recognized at the highest level — by leaders such as Paul. The courageous leadership of Junia landed her in jail, along with her husband and the apostle Paul.

Given the patriarchy of the first century, you would hardly expect to see so many women, in one passage, cited for their hard labor and leadership in the church. Rather than silencing these women, as Paul silences those women whose voices were disruptive (1 Corinthians 14:34) or those who were abusive and who misled others (1 Timothy 2:11-15), here Paul acknowledges their voices, leadership, and service. What would happen if our churches gave women today this sort of honor and scope of service?

All told, Paul’s passage mentions 10 women (Phoebe, Prisca, Mary, Junia, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus’ mother, Julia, the sister of Nerus) and 17 men. In other words, 37% of those mentioned are women! While some evangelical churches have difficulty engaging the God-given gifts and leadership of women, let us take comfort that Paul, in the first century, viewed the gospel-labor of women as a priceless resource of God, and one that he chose to engage rather than ignore.

As the world evaluates Christian faith and its treatment of women, can we really afford to overlook the biblical foundations for gift-based, rather than gender-based, ministry?

Mimi Haddad is the president of Christians for Biblical Equality.