Role of Women In The Church

Role of Women and The Church

     Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  In this article I would like to address the role of Women in the Church.  This is a subject that has been discussed and debated for many years.  While this was never a concern in the Early Church we also do not make a mountain over a mole hill but rather affirm and confirm the teachings found in scriptures and by the Early Church Fathers, Apostolic teachings and doctrines.

     In order for us to understand the role of women in the Church it is important to look at all the scriptures referring to women first and then like a puzzle in the full counsel of God come to the understanding of the role of women in the Church.  Let us begin:

1 Corinthians 14:34-40  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.  (35)  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.  (36)  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  (37)  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  (38)  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.  (39)  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  (40)  Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 Timothy 2:11-15  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  (12)  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  (13)  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  (14)  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  (15)  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Titus 2:3-5  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  (4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1 Corinthians 11:1-9  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.  (2)  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.  (3)  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.  (4)  Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.  (5)  But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.  (6)  For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.  (7)  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.  (8)  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  (9)  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

     At first glance we come to the conclusion that women are to take a silent role in the Church.  That they are not allowed to speak and not even to ask questions in Church.  That is the conclusion you would have to come to if you were to take the face value of a text without applying other text that apply to the subject at hand.  Since we are able to apply other text it is obvious that this text is not sole and separate.  For example there are times when a woman is permitted to speak.  1)  When she teaches or talks to other women. Titus 2:4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, and 2)  When she is given permission by an authority above her to prophesy.    1 Corinthians 11:5  But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

     There are also a lot of examples where women take a leadership role but only under the authority of a man.  For example:  The office of Deacon is an office of authority and teaching and yet a woman named Phebe is called a deacon by the Apostle Paul:

Romans 16:1-2  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:  (2)  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

     Philip who was one of the Deacons of the Church had 4 daughters who prophesied:  Acts 21:8-9  And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.  (9)  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Notice how the Apostle mentions that the daughters were VIRGINS.  In other words their Father was their head covering and authority over them giving them the right to prophesy. 

     There are other instances in which women take a teaching role, not as in the role of a Pastor but rather a minister. For example there are circumstances in which it is recorded that Aquila and his wife Priscilla are involved in a home church and in teaching people.  Whenever it is mentioned it is mentioned as Aquila and his wife Priscilla   If Priscilla was not active in the Church why mention her.  The women were not silent only submissive.  They understood their place in the Church. 

     We cannot come to the literal conclusion that women are to be silent in the Church.  What we can come to the conclusion is that women are not to have authority over man and take the teaching authority over man in the Church.  In other words, women are not to take the role of Senior Pastor or any Pastorship over man.  Instead a woman may prophesy, teach and preach under the authority of the Senior Pastor and by her husband or father.

     The role of women is very vital and important in the Church.  While women may not take a leadership role in the Church, women are leaders in the Church.  Women lead many of the minor administrative works, organization of social events and other minor roles.  Any form of leadership or lead by women is always conducted under the authority of the Church and it's Pastor's. 

     If you are a reader who takes the text hyper literal then under rules of theology you must make it absolute.  In other words, the Word of God says that a woman is not to usurp authority over man but does not just say in Church Only.  Also a woman is be silent and should not ask questions means any and all questions.  There are churches who take this role, but not in this Church.

     Here are other women that are mentioned by the Apostle by name because of their work and labor in the Gospel.  These mentioned tell a different story than one found in a hyper-literal interpretation of a silent woman who does not speak in Church:

  Romans 16:1-27  I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:  (2)  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.  (3)  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:  (4)  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.  (5)  Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.  (6)  Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.  (7)  Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me……….(12)  Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. ……. (15)  Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. ….Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.