Historical Posts
Woman’s Role in the Church
The apostle Paul wrote: “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 anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church” (1 Corinthians 14:34,35). To Timothy he wrote: “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” (1 Timothy 2:11,12).
From the advent of Christianity it was the practice for men to lead in the assembly. Women’s roles were limited in the public assembly. They were prohibited from preaching, teaching and assuming other leadership roles when men were present. In recent years this practice has been called into question, and people have gone to great lengths to discredit the apostle and what the Scriptures say regarding this issue.
Some argue that Paul was a woman hater. They conclude that his remarks merely express his personal prejudice, and are not binding on the church. Such an attitude undermines the authority of the entire Bible. Using this approach, anything one finds personally objectionable can be ignored. This is how many people approach the word of God.
Others argue that the limitations placed on the woman’s role were cultural. They claim that although these limitations were enforced in Paul’s day, they are no longer binding on the church. There is nothing in the Bible which suggests that this is the case.
Paul also wrote: “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” (Galatians 3:28). This passage is sometimes used to justify the practice of women preachers. The apostle does not set aside previous legislation in this text. He simply underscores the equality which exists in the church regardless of ethnic, social, or gender differences. God loves us equally. This does not, however, negate the fact that he has established different roles for us!
Radical feminists and liberal theologians would like to discard the Biblical prohibitions regarding a woman’s role in public worship. In many churches they have been successful. But, we are committed to respecting what the Bible teaches whether it is socially acceptable or not.
Women are not inferior to men, and men are not superior to women. But, God has ordained different roles for us, and we must respect them if we respect Him.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Different!
Men and women are different
Someone has illustrated the difference between men and women this way. “A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.” Probably an over generalization, but it does imply a difference between men and women that is often denied.
In this age of equality, we must not lose sight of our differences
They reach beyond the obvious physical dissimilarities. There are clear distinctions between men and women, but these differences have nothing to do with our worth. At a time when women were viewed, first as the property of their fathers, and then of their husbands, the apostle Paul asserted: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for all are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). God doesn’t determine our value on the basis of externals. He accepts us all into His church on the basis of our baptism (Galatians 3:27).
In the home it was the intent of the Creator to place man in the leadership role
He is to be head over his wife even as Christ is head of His church (Ephesians 5:23). That does not imply his superiority or her inferiority. It does indicate a difference in roles. Some men have abdicated their headship, and some women have usurped the leadership role in the home.
Neither negates the fact that God has ordained how the home should function
Whether we like it or not, that’s what the Bible teaches.
In the church we have a similar dichotomy
Men are given the leadership role in the church. The apostles were all men. Elders or bishops were always men (1 Timothy 3:2). Male leadership permeates the Biblical narrative. And, the role of women in the assembly was specifically limited (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12). Again, these distinctions in roles do not suggest inferior worth.
We have different roles
It has become common place in this enlightened age to disregard the clear gender distinctions made in Scripture. The fact is that we are not all physically, intellectually, or emotionally equal, but we are all equally loved by the Savior. We have different roles. Each of us must acknowledge our role and live up to His expectations for us.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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