Consider some changes that have occurred in church leadership
roles in recent years.
* Some
believe that women should be allowed to preach or lead prayer or singing in
public worship assemblies.
* Some
claim that women should be allowed to serve as elders/bishops or deacons.
* Some
claim that women should be allowed to attend and speak in church business or
decision-making meetings. Some claim women should have equal voice with men in
such meetings.
* Some
claim that churches must have "congregational meetings" in which all
members, including women, discuss and make decisions. Some claim that such
meetings must ratify or reject decisions made by the elders or men.
The
purpose of this study is to examine the teaching of the New Testament about the
role of women in such activities of church leadership and decision making.
(Note that this article is abbreviated from our online article at http://www.gospelway.com/teaching/women-leaders.php.)
No
human authority should be obeyed if it instructs us to disobey God.
*****************************************************
As we
discuss various relationships involving people exercising authority over other
people, the following limitation must always be understood:
Acts
5:28,29,40-42 - God had commanded the apostles to teach about Jesus, but rulers
commanded them not to teach. Obedience to the rulers would constitutes
disobedience to God, so the apostles obeyed God rather than men. The same rule
would apply to any man-made decision that tells us to disobey God.
Note
that the passage makes an exception, not for the case where the one possessing
authority commits some sin, but for the case where the one under authority
would sin if they obeyed the human authority. "We (the ones under
authority) must obey God..." [Cf. Acts 4:18-20; Daniel 3:13-18; 6:3-16]
In no
case does the passage give people under authority the freedom to do just
whatever they choose or even what they think is wisest or best. We may disobey
God-ordained human authorities only when that is necessary to obey God's
authority. In no case are we permitted to refuse to obey authorities just so we
can follow our human preference or strongly held opinion.
This
limitation on human authority must always be remembered as we discuss various
relationships in which people exercise authority over other people.
I. Controversy about Male Leadership
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A.
Power Struggles Are Well-Known in the Scriptures.
=================================
Conflicts
between nations and within governments often result from power struggles:
people want to take power that others possess. The same is often true in
businesses, schools, families, and other organizations.
The
Bible contains many examples of power struggles in general.
****************************************************
Numbers 16 - Korah, Dathan, and Abiram led a revolt against Moses
and Aaron's leadership.
2 Samuel 15-18 - David's son Absalom led an attempt to overthrow
David's rule.
1 Kings 12 - Israel divided when the northern tribes rebelled
against Rehoboam.
The Bible records many other wars, assassinations, and intrigues
based power struggles.
Women
have often caused tragedies by taking leadership over men.
*****************************************************
Genesis 3 - Eve led Adam in committing the first sin.
Numbers 12 - Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses' leadership. God
struck Miriam leprous.
1 Kings 21 - Jezebel master-minded the death of Naboth so Ahab
could take his vineyard.
2 Kings 11 - Athaliah killed the royal seed and ruled Israel for
several years.
The
Bible also records the lives of many godly women. The point is not that women
are always wrong nor that men should ignore women's advice. Nevertheless, many
power struggles throughout history have resulted when women sought to lead men
instead of following them.
B. The
Feminist Movement Promotes Roles for Women as Church Leaders.
========================================
Many quotations prove this to be a feminist goal.
"The
Bible and the Church have been the greatest stumbling blocks in the way of
woman's emancipation" - Elizabeth Cady Stanton (via "Why Women Need
Freedom from Religion").
"Organized
religion always has been and remains the greatest enemy of women's rights ...
Why is there a religion-fostered war against women's rights? Because the bible
is a handbook for the subjugation of women. The bible establishes woman's
inferior status ... and God-ordained master/servant relationship to man" -
Annie L. Gaylor, "Why Women Need Freedom From Religion."
"The
scriptures are unredeemably sexist" - Ann Ware, Assoc. Dir. of the
National Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order (via Pulpit Helps,
11/82).
"We
urge the [National Council of Churches] to ... [t]ake the lead in uniting women
of all denominations and religious groups to work together to support efforts
to recognize the right of women to be ordained in religious bodies where that
right is still denied ... [W]e demand that the seminaries ... actively recruit,
employ and justly promote women theologians ... We demand that ... religious
groups no longer have legal sanction to discriminate on the basis of sex"
- Revolution, pp. 17,18.
The
feminist Evangelical Women's Caucus says they "urge all churches to grant
to women ... ordination." They want feminists to work within the churches
and "share your concerns subtly" - via "How Are the Churches
Being Indoctrinated with Secular Feminism???."
Sadly,
many examples show that, even churches that once were considered sound or even
"conservative" are moving in the direction of allowing women to serve
as preachers or elders, to lead in other worship activities in which men
participate, to speak out in congregational worship assemblies, or to attend
and speak in church decision-making meetings. Others argue that the whole
church, including women, should meet to discuss and make decisions. Some claim
the elders or men cannot make decisions without submitting them to the whole
congregation for its agreement.
The
parallels to feminism are too obvious to be coincidental. If the feminist
movement had never arisen, and if denominations had not begun giving increased
authority to women, surely we would not be facing such calls for increased leadership
by women.
So what
does God's word teach about church leadership and decision making? Let us start
by examining various leadership and submission relationships.
II. Bible Roles that Involve Submission
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(See
our online article at http://www.gospelway.com/teaching/women-leaders.php to read this section.)
III. The Husband as Head of the Home
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Just as
decisions must be made in the church, so decisions must be made in the home so
it can function as God authorized. While there may be differences between
church and home, we will see that there are definite similarities. To help us
understand decision-making in the church, note first the following passages
that teach men to make decisions for the family:
Genesis 1-3
=======
Genesis 1:26-28
**************
God
created man, male and female, in his own image and gave them dominion over the
animals and the earth. Note that man and woman were both created in God's
image, both possess authority (over the animals, earth, etc.), and both are
subject to authority (of God). To teach that a woman should submit to her
husband does not belittle her importance, nor does it deny that she does
possess some authority.
Genesis 2:18-24
**************
The man was created first, and woman was created from man to be
his helper (vv 18,20).
Everything
God made was "very good" for the purpose for which He made it (1:31).
Like all of God's creatures, man and woman were each given the nature that
suits the job for which they were created. Man was created to be the leader, so
he has a nature suited to that job. Woman was created to be man's helper and
follower, so she was given a nature suited to her job. By nature she is suited
to be man's follower, not his leader.
Women do
have leadership abilities, since they should exercise authority over children,
animals, and perhaps other women. And degrees of ability vary from person to
person. But in general a woman is suited for following a man, not leading a
man.
To believe that women should lead men is to misunderstand the
basic creation of woman.
Genesis 3:1-19
************
The
serpent tempted the woman and she sinned. She added to this sin by leading her
husband to sin (v6). As a result, God punished everyone involved.
V16 -
Part of woman's punishment was that her husband would "rule" over
her. So woman must submit to her husband's rule for two reasons: (1) woman was
created to be man's helper, not his leader, and (2) part of the consequence of
sin was that her husband would rule over her.
Observations
***********
The
first sin involved a woman leaving her proper role as a helper and leading her
husband instead of following him!
She
should never have so acted, both because God had forbidden it, and because she
had not consulted her husband's will. She made the decision and acted without
his authority. Then she urged him to follow her decision.
Adam sinned in improperly following the leadership of his wife.
Note
v17 - Man was punished, not just because he ate the forbidden fruit, but also
because he "heeded the voice" of his wife. He "hearkened
unto" her voice (KJV, ASV). Adam should have rebuked Eve, both for
disobeying God and for acting without his authority. Instead, he allowed her to
take the lead. As a result God punished the man, both for eating the fruit, and
for following his wife in a decision he knew was wrong.
Because
the woman sinned in taking the decision-making role to herself, her punishment
included restrictions on her role in decision-making - v16.
Woman's
punishment was appropriate to her sin. She had failed to follow her husband's
lead, then she led him to follow her into sin. So her punishment included that
she must submit to her husband's rule.
Even
before the sin, the woman had been instructed to have children (1:28), the man
had been instructed to work (2:15), and the woman had been assigned the role of
follower. In a paradise, all these acts would have been pleasant and "very
good" (1:31). The punishment consisted of the fact that, in a sin-cursed
world, all these acts would now require hardship, frustration, difficulty, and
even pain. In particular, conflict of wills and difficult circumstances would
make it hard for woman to submit to her husband's rule. This was the consequence
of the sin.
Yes, it
is hard for woman to submit to man, just as it is hard for man to provide
family income. Yet we must not set aside God's decreed punishments because they
cause hardship. Men ought to make decisions fairly, yet there will still be
times when submission is hard for women. We must not allow the hardship of
women's role to lead us to deny or undermine their responsibility to submit to
men.
1 Timothy 3:4,12
===========
1 Tim.
3:4,5 says an elder must rule his own house well, having his children in
submission with all reverence. Likewise v12 says deacons must rule their
children and their own houses well. Other translations read: "one who
manages his own household well" (NASB, RSV), "manage his own family
well" (NIV).
Note
that, while children are specifically mentioned, yet the husband must
"rule" his whole "house," including his wife. If a man's
wife persists in disobeying him, she is not in subjection.
But the
passage discusses the ability of the husband (elder or deacon) to demonstrate
the kind of leadership needed in the church (v5). So having ones wife in
subjection requires that the husband lead his wife and children wisely and
well.
Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18,19
========================
Wives
should submit to their own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is head of
the wife as Christ is head of the church. The wife should be subject to her own
husband in everything as the church is subject to Christ, and she should
respect her husband (Ephesians 5:22-24,33). The same is taught in Colossians
3:18.
However,
husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself
for it. They should love their wives as their own bodies, which they nourish
and cherish (Ephesians 5:25-29,33). They should love their wives and not be
bitter against them (Colossians 3:19).
The
terms "submit," "subjection" and "head" require
obedience to authority, as in other authority relations we have studied.
**************************************************
These same contexts discuss various authority relations, often
using similar terms.
In Ephesians
5:22-24,33
- Wives must submit to husbands and the church must submit to Christ.
6:1-4 -
Children must obey and honor parents.
6:5-9 -
Servants must obey masters, doing service with good will "as to the
Lord."
In Colossians
3:18 -
Wives submit to your husbands
3:20 -
Children obey your parents
3:22 -
Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh.
So, the
wife should obey the decisions of her husband like a body should obey its head,
like the church should obey Christ, like servants should obey masters, etc. She
has no more right to reject his decisions or to insist that he accept her will
than do people in these other relations.
Other important expressions used
***************************
To make
sure there is no doubt about what submission requires of women, other
expressions in the contexts establish the meaning.
As the church is subject to Christ
Ephesians 5:22 - Submit "as to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:23 - Husband is head of the wife "as also Christ
is the head of head church."
Ephesians
5:24 - "Just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to
their own husbands."
This
shows that women should submit to their husbands in the same sense that we must
all submit to God and Christ. This is how God Himself explains women's
subjection.
"In everything" (Ephesians 5:24).
The
body has no right to reject instructions of the head, so the church has no
right to ignore instructions of Christ. Likewise, the wife should submit to her
husband "in everything." She may not pick and choose. She may not set
aside certain areas of her life and say the man cannot make decisions in those
areas. She may not tell him that he must get her approval or that she must be
allowed to have equal say. She must be subject "in everything" as the
church is to Christ. The only exception is Acts 5:29.
Titus 2:4,5
=======
Young women
must be taught to be "obedient to their own husbands" (NKJV, KJV).
Other translations say: "being in subjection to their own husbands"
or "subject to" (NASB, NIV) or "submissive to" (RSV). This
is the same word used in v9 that servants should be "obedient" to
their masters, and in 3:1 that citizens should be subject to rulers.
Note:
"That the word of God may not be blasphemed." When women in the
church do not act as they should in the home, people are caused to speak
against God and His word.
1 Peter 3:1-7
=========
Wives
should be submissive to their own husbands that, even if some do not obey the
word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives. The
context similarly commands citizens to submit rulers (2:13,14) and servants to
submit to masters (2:18).
Submission
is required even when leaders misuse their authority.
****************************************************
Women
and servants (2:18) are expressly instructed not to justify disobeying their
leaders on the grounds that the leaders are disobeying God. In particular,
wives must not justify rebelling by claiming their husbands have misused their
authority. Instead, the passage says that the leader's disobedience to God is
just more reason to obey him, so you can set a good example for him and may
even convert him.
A meek
and quiet woman is "very precious" in the sight of God.
***************************************************
Modern
society says women should be self-assertive, yet that is the opposite of
meekness. The loud, boisterous, domineering spirit is clearly forbidden.
Yet
meekness is not a sign of weakness of character, for it takes a strong person
to submit respectfully to others. Nor does quietness mean she never has
anything to say. All Christians are commanded to lead a quiet life, but this
does not mean we never speak (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:12). Likewise, a godly
wife should be meek and quiet; yet the husband should honestly evaluate her
views, provided she expresses them respectfully.
Old Testament examples of proper submission
**************************************
Peter
says to imitate godly women in the past who were modest and submissive to their
husbands, specifically Sarah. Sarah was beautiful and influential, yet she was
modest and submissive. She demonstrates that women need not be plain or shallow
to be modest, meek, and quiet.
Note that she "obeyed" her husband even to the point of
calling him "lord" (Gen. 18:12).
Husbands
must honor and seek to understand their wives.
***********************************************
God not
only tells the woman to submit, He also warns the husband to love his wife to
the point of understanding her needs. Too many husbands think they get to do
what they want without regard for the wife's needs or interests. When a husband
thinks he does not have to respect his wife's needs, he will not only have an
unhappy wife, but God will not even hear his prayers!
Further,
the husband must honor his wife as the weaker vessel. He "honors" her
by respecting, praising, appreciating, and valuing her. God views her as
"precious" (v4). The husband must cherish her as his own body and as
the Lord does the church (Eph. 5:28-30). He should praise a worthy wife for her
goodness (Prov. 31:28-31). One who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains
favor of the Lord (Prov. 18:22; 19:14).
Finally,
the husband should realize the wife is a joint-heir of the grace of God (cf.
Gal. 3:28). She will be saved by the same Savior, according to the same gospel,
with the same eternal reward. Men and women have different roles in the home
and in the church, but this does not in any way mean the man is more important
or will receive a greater reward. He should not treat his wife as spiritually
inferior or less important than him. Instead, man and wife should help one
another serve God so both can receive eternal life.
[1
Corinthians 11:3; 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:12-14]
Observations and Conclusions Based on the Scriptures
=================================
1. The leader (man) is responsible to make final decisions. All
followers (family members) should submit to his decisions.
****************************************************
Other
family members may not disregard the husband's will, nor may they seek to bind
their decisions on him. When he believes necessary, he has the right to change
or annul their decisions or to instruct them to make different decisions, but
not vice versa. All this has been emphasized repeatedly in our study by the
terms "submit" (or "be subject"), "obey," and
"head."
2. Followers (family members) may refuse to obey the leader's
decisions only when obedience to the leader requires disobedience to God.
*****************************************************
Acts
5:29 - We must obey God rather than man. Remember that the passage does not
make an exception for the case where the one possessing authority committed
some sin, but for the case where the one under authority would sin if they
obeyed the human authority. "
3. Leaders (men) should consider the well being of the followers
(family) and make decisions in love for the good of all.
*****************************************************
Consider Bible instructions about love
Matthew
22:36-40 - The greatest two commands, including loving our neighbor as
ourselves, must motivate our conduct in all other commands, including our use
of authority.
1
Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love teaches us to be, not proud nor selfish, but patient.
God gives us authority, not to promote our own selfish ambitions, but to serve
others and please God.
1 Peter
3:7 - The command to understand the wife requires the husband to make decisions
based on putting himself in the wife's place and considering her needs, not just
to please himself.
Matthew
7:12 - As in all other relationships, leaders should treat other people the way
they would want to be treated.
This
does not mean leaders should do whatever the followers tell them to do. That
would turn the followers into the leaders! The leaders should make the
decisions, but they should do so based on what is best for the people they
lead.
Consider the example of Jesus
The Bible upholds Jesus as the ideal leader we should imitate, so
consider His example.
Philippians
2:2-8 - Love (v2) teaches us not to act from selfish ambition or conceit but to
consider others to be more important than we are (v3). Pursue their interests
as well as our own (v4). Jesus possessed ultimate power; but like Him, leaders
should sacrifice our own will for the good of others (vv 5-8).
Ephesians
5:22-29 - Men should love their wives as Christ loved the church and as a man
loves his own body. Christ has authority over the church, but He used His
authority in love to the point of giving His life for the church [John
15:12,13]. Likewise, a man would not neglect his body, so he should not neglect
his wife but nourish and cherish her.
No man
has the right to make decisions without regard to the well being of his wife.
And no man has the right to emphasize his own needs and desires above those of
his wife. To do so would be a selfish, unloving abuse of authority. In short,
it would be sinful.
In this
sense, the man's authority is not a privilege but a responsibility. Men must
put the well being of their followers ahead of their personal desires.
Followers must still abide by the decisions of those in authority, even when
they don't like the decisions. But to please God, those with authority must act
in love.
[Revelation
3:19; 1 Sam. 25:14,17; 30:22-24; 1 Kings 12:6-16; Isa. 52:5; Jer. 23:1-15;
Micah 3:1-12; Matt. 18:26-34; 24:45-50; Luke 12:42-47; Eph. 6:9; Acts 20:35; 1
John 3:16-18]
4. In considering decisions, leaders (men) should consult the
followers (family).
*****************************************************
Love should teach men to consider the views of others.
Ephesians
5:28,29 - Husbands should love their wives like they nourish and cherish their
own bodies. But doesn't your body tell the head when it's hungry or tired or
hurt or cold? How can the head know what the body needs, if it ignores the
body's communication? So how can a husband provide for his wife if doesn't
listen to her?
1
Timothy 5:8 - If a man will not provide for his household, he is worse than an
unbeliever. But how can a man care for his wife if he won't listen to find out
what she needs? One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is assuming we know
what other people need without asking them.
1 Peter
3:7 - The husband should treat his wife with understanding. But no man is a
mind reader. How can a man understand a woman, if he won't listen to her (1
Cor. 2:11)?
Matthew
7:12 - Love leads us to put ourselves in other people's place and treat them
the way we believe we ought to be treated in their place. Often a man will make
decisions that his family dislikes without consulting them. But let that man's
supervisors do the same to him, and listen to him scream! We should learn to
treat others the way we want to be treated.
[Matt.
23:4; Rom. 2:1,2,21-24; Phil. 2:3-8; Rom. 12:3,16]
Jesus' example should teach us to consider the views of others.
Ephesians
5:25 - Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church. Does Jesus
consider the needs of the church? Does he allow the church to communicate its
needs?
Matthew
7:7-11 - He said to ask, and we shall receive. Our Father considers our
requests and gives what we need. This is what prayer is all about.
God
does not always give exactly what we asked for, but He does give what we need.
This is the example human leaders should follow. The point is that God does
listen, and our requests often change the course of subsequent events. How can
we as human leaders do less?
[Zech.
13:9; James 5:16-18; Phil. 4:6]
Good decisions often require advice and consultation with others.
James
1:19 - Every man should be swift to hear, slow to speak. People in authority
often make poor decisions simply because they aren't willing to listen to other
views.
Genesis
2:18 - Specifically, God created woman to be man's helper. She helps in many
ways, one of which may be by giving good advice.
Just
because a man should consider advice from others, does not mean he is always
obligated to follow it. Not all advice is good advice. A leader must evaluate
the input, especially considering the reasons people offer for their views.
Then he must apply the standards of love, God's word, and the example of Jesus
to objectively decide what he sincerely believes to be the best decision. Then
the family must follow the decisions made - that is the nature of authority.
[Prov.
31:26; 11:14; 1 Sam. 25:23-25; Esth. 7; Matt. 14:1-4; 2 Sam. 12:1-15; 2 Kings
5:13]
5. The right to make decisions authorizes the leader (man) to
decide how he will consult others and when and where he will make decisions.
*****************************************************
We have
seen that the man often should consult his family, but nothing inherently
requires him to consult them in any particular way, time, or place. He may
choose to discuss with them one by one, in small groups, or all together in a
group. The right to lead is the right to decide how best to make a decision,
subject to God's law.
In
particular, the man is not required to make each decision in the presence of
the family. Often a leader can make the best decisions when he is alone without
the pressure of other people's presence. Then he reveals the decision to the
group.
The
right to make decisions inherently includes the right to decide when and where you
will make them! The followers do not have the right to dictate when, where, or
how you decide.
6. The leader's (man's) decisions do not need the followers'
ratification.
*****************************************************
They
family has no right to veto, annul, override, or refuse to follow the husband's
decisions (except as in Acts 5:29). This conclusion is inherent in the nature
of authority and necessarily follows from all the Scriptures we have studied.
Every
home has times of conflict when not everyone agrees regarding decisions.
Sometimes, regardless of what is decided, someone will be dissatisfied. We
naturally think our views are the best, so we think others should agree with us
if they would just be reasonable. So, whenever someone makes a decision we
don't like, we naturally tend to think they were unreasonable!
But in
order for the family to function despite such conflicts, someone must have the
power to make decisions and insist those decisions be followed. The main point
of authority is that it enables the making of necessary decisions, even when
people disagree.
It
necessarily follows that authority means the leader may make decisions even
when some members disagree. If members of the group may override or refuse to
follow decisions, the whole purpose of authority is defeated.
But how
the decision was reached is a matter of judgment. We may disagree with a
decision, but that does not mean the one in authority sinned, unless we can
prove that they violated specific Scripture - not just that they violated our
wishes or even our opinions about Scripture.
7. This authority of men over wives includes church decisions and
activities.
*****************************************************
Note: "in everything" (Ephesians 5:24). Wouldn't this
include in the church?
If men
may not make binding decisions in the church without the agreement and approval
of their wives, then wouldn't that mean that the church is one area in which
women do not need to submit to their husbands? The view that men cannot enforce
their decisions on the church without the approval/ratification of the group
(including the women) necessarily constitutes a denial of husbands' authority
over their own wives.
If the
women in the church may nullify or refuse to follow the men's decisions, then
that would mean the wives may refuse to submit to their husbands' authority.
How can such a view be harmonized with the Bible teaching about the authority
of husbands? So even without consulting passages that specifically discuss the
church, we can conclude that wives must submit to the authority of their
husbands in church decisions.
And
further, all the above points are important principles of good leadership in
essentially any leadership role. The same principles should apply for husbands
leading wives, parents leading children, civil rulers leading citizens, and
employers leading employees. So why should anyone think these principles do not
apply in church leadership? In fact, it would take major, specific evidence for
us to conclude that these principles do not apply in the church.
IV. The Value of Women in Their Scriptural Roles
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
God's word honors and values women for their work as highly as it
does men for their work.
Spiritual Roles of Women in General
=======================
Women
are joint heirs of eternal life equally with men.
********************************************
1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands should honor their wives as heirs together
of the grace of life.
Galatians
3:26-29 - In Christ Jew and Greek are one, slaves and freemen are one, and male
and female are one. This does not say these people all have the same authority.
Do slaves have the same authority as freemen? The context is discussing, not
who possesses authority, but who can be children of God (vv 26,27) and heirs
according to the promise to Abraham (v29).
Women
in the Bible were valued for their important spiritual work.
*****************************************************
* Luke
1:26-56 - Mary was honored to be Jesus' mother. But Jesus had no earthly
father.
* Luke
10:38-42 - Mary and Martha were two of Jesus' closest disciples.
*
Matthew 27:55,56; Luke 8:2,3 - Several other women followed and provided for
Jesus.
* Acts
9:36-42; 16:11-15; Romans 16:1,2 - Dorcas, Lydia, Phoebe and other godly women
are expressly commended for their good works.
* Acts
2:14; 5:14; 8:12; 12:12-17; 17:4,12,34; 2 Tim. 1:5 - Other passages mention
women who were disciples, sometimes naming them, other times not.
* 1
Peter 3:5,6; Heb. 11:11,31 - Several godly women from the Old Testament are
expressly upheld as good examples for New Testament women: Sarah, Rahab,
Deborah, Ruth, Esther, etc.
* 1
Timothy 5, Titus 2 and other passages expressly list good works that women can
do.
God has valuable work for women to do and offers them eternal life
alongside men.
In
particular, women are greatly valued for their role as homemakers.
*****************************************************
Titus
2:3-5 - Young women should be taught to love their husbands and children, be
discreet, chaste, homemakers, etc.
Proverbs
31:10-31 - The work of a worthy woman is described in great detail, stating
that she should be praised for her good work. I know of no passage that
similarly describes the work of men and urges people to praise them.
Proverbs
19:14 - Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife
is from the Lord. [12:4]
Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and
obtains favor from the Lord.
God
honors women in their role as wives, mothers and homemakers. Men ought likewise
to appreciate and praise them.
[1
Timothy 5:14; Psalm 113:9]
God
values people for their service, not their authority - Matthew 20:25-28.
***************************************************
Society
greatly honors people with authority, but it is not so among God's people.
Those whom God considers great are those who serve others.
One
writer cited this passage to prove:
"When
men, serving as overseers, override, overturn, or in any way attempt to
countermand the concensus [sic] of the brethren IN MATTERS OF JUDGMENT [his
emphasis], they are exercising the kind of lordship that Jesus expressly stated
would not be part of the spiritual kingdom." - Dusty Owens, The Examiner,
Vol 1, No. 3, p. 8
But the
passage says no such thing. It nowhere forbids exercise of authority. Jesus
used Himself as the example to imitate, but He possessed authority and He
ordained other authority relationships, such as parents over children, civil
rulers over citizens, etc.
The
point is that possession of authority does not inherently make one great.
People without authority can be as great or greater than those who do have it.
Are rulers greater before God than citizens or employers greater than
employees, simply because they differ in authority?
Likewise,
the fact men have authority over women does not mean God honors women less than
He does men. Women who serve in harmony with God's will are equally as valuable
as men, regardless of differences in authority.
Responsibility of Women in Teaching and Imparting Spiritual Truth
=========================================
Women
may teach children and other women.
**************************************
Exodus 15:20,21 - Moses' sister Miriam led the women of Israel in
praising God.
Proverbs 31:1 - King Lemuel was taught by his mother.
Proverbs 1:8 - A son should hear his father's instruction and not
forsake his mother's law.
Luke 1:39-56 - Elisabeth and Mary admonished and encouraged one
another praising God.
2
Timothy 1:5 - From childhood Timothy had been taught the sacred Scriptures
(3:15). The faith he possessed clearly came through his grandmother Lois and
mother Eunice.
Titus 2:3-5 - Older women are commanded to teach younger women.
Note
that Christian women are not only permitted to teach, they are commanded to do
so! God's word does limit women's role, but to deny that women have a role in
teaching God's word, or to restrict them so they cannot fulfill their role,
would be to completely contradict Scripture!
[Ruth
1:8-17; 2:20]
Women
may also discuss and impart truth in small group discussions with men, so long
as they do not exercise authority over men.
*****************************************************
Note
the following examples:
Luke
2:36-39 - Anna the prophetess spoke about Jesus to people who came into the
temple. This apparently occurred in small groups but in a public place of
worship. She spoke to "all who looked for redemption," which would
include men.
Luke
10:40-42 - Jesus had a spiritual discussion about proper priorities with Martha
in her home. She made a comment and He responded.
John
4:19-26 - Jesus participated in a religious discussion with a Samaritan woman
at Jacob's well (a public place). The discussion began on non-religious
matters, but Jesus turned it to spiritual things. The woman asked Him spiritual
questions and commented on His answers.
John
4:28-30,39,42 - The woman then told the men of the city the things she had
learned about Jesus, imparting spiritual truth and asking them rhetorical
questions. Nothing implies that she publicly preached a sermon or addressed a church
(or synagogue) assembly. Yet she discussed God's word in such a way that many
people sought further information. As a result many became disciples.
John
11:20-27 - Jesus and Martha conducted a spiritual discussion, each responding
to one another by affirming spiritual truths. So, Jesus allowed women to state
spiritual truth to men in small groups. [Luke 10:38-42]
Matthew
28:1-8; Luke 24:9,10; John 20:16-18 - An angel told women to report to men that
Jesus had been raised. Jesus specifically told Mary to deliver to the brethren
a message about His ascension. So several women met in small group meeting(s)
with a number of men and delivered a spiritual message to them. This occurred
by the specific authority of Jesus and an angel. __3811_230662889">The
church had not yet begun, but would Jesus and the angel have instructed these
women to do something that would violate the New Testament teaching for the
church when it did begin?
Acts
18:26 - Apollos taught in the synagogue in Ephesus but lacked knowledge. So
Aquila and his wife Priscilla explained God's way to him more accurately. The
passage names both Aquila and Priscilla and says they explained God's way to
this man. The language necessarily means that a woman was involved in helping
teach (impart spiritual truth to) a man. They left the assembly to do this
("took him aside"), hence a small group meeting.
Acts
2:17; 21:8,9 - The Old Testament predicted that women would be prophetesses. As
an example, the four daughters of Philip the evangelist prophesied, apparently
in the presence of Paul and other men. The implication is that this was done in
a small meeting (not the whole church), and men heard the prophecies.
These
passages show women in spiritual discussions with men. They asked and answered
spiritual questions and in some cases even imparted spiritual truth to men. But
no passage says women imparted God's word in the congregational assemblies of
the church, in the parallel synagogue assemblies, or in any capacity in which
they would be exercising authority over men.
The
Bible does not degrade women. On the contrary, the gospel views women with the
highest respect offered by any major religion. The reason people criticize
Bible teaching about women is, not because the Bible disrespects women, but
simply because the Bible does not say what some folks want it to say.
[Matthew
15:21-28]
V. Male Leadership Roles in the Church
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
We have
already learned that men should be the leaders in the home. We will here see
that the same is true in the church.
The
Head of the Church Is Masculine.
=======================
Ephesians
1:22,23; 5:22-33 - Jesus is head over all things to the church (Col. 1:18;
Matt. 16:18). In fact, Jesus' headship over the church is used to illustrate
man's headship over woman.
Jesus
is also our only mediator with God (1 Timothy 2:5), and our High Priest
(Hebrews 7:25-27). So the highest authority role in the church is occupied by a
male authority figure who lived on earth as a man. This is a fact beyond
reasonable dispute.
All
Apostles Were Men.
==============
Apostles
exercised a leadership role in the early church.
*********************************************
Apostles
accomplished several tasks in the early church, including teaching God's word
publicly, bearing witness for Jesus' resurrection, and also leading in
decision-making.
Acts
1:20 - Matthias was chosen as an apostle to take the place of Judas. This
fulfilled a prophecy that one would take his "office"
("bishopric" - KJV; "overseership" - ASV footnote;
"place of leadership" - NIV; "position of overseer" - NASB
footnote; Greek is a form of the word for overseer/bishop).
Acts
4:35,37 - When the church took collections for the needy, the gifts were laid
them at the apostles' feet, and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
Acts
6:2,3,6 - When the supervision of this distribution became burdensome, the
twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said to find seven men that
the apostles might appoint over this business. Note that the apostles led in
determining how to deal with the problem.
Acts
9:27 - Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles to explain that Saul had been
converted and should be received by the church.
Acts
15:6 - The apostles and elders met to consider the problem of men from
Jerusalem who were teaching that circumcision and keeping the law was necessary
to salvation. (Cf. 16:4).
All
these passages describe the apostles as having leadership and a decision-making
role in the early church.
[1
Thessalonians 2:6]
Yet
apostles were always men.
*************************
Matthew
10:1-34 - The original twelve were men (note: "men of Galilee" - Acts
1:11). [Luke 10:13-16; Acts 1:13,26]
Acts 1:21,26 - Matthias was chosen to replace Judas. He was a man.
1
Corinthians 1:1; 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:5; 12:11,12 - Paul was chosen as an
apostle as one born out of due time. He was a man.
This
was the highest role of human leadership in the early church. Each apostle was
specifically and expressly chosen by Jesus Himself, and every one who served in
that office was a man. With the completion of the New Testament, this office is
no longer needed. Yet it fits the pattern that church leadership roles were
exercised by men.
All
Elders Must Be Men.
===============
The
elders had leadership authority in the local churches.
***********************************************
Note
from the following passages that "elder," "bishop," and
"pastor" are different terms referring to the same work or office in
the local church.
Acts
20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1,2 - "Overseers" ("bishops")
"take oversight" of the local congregation. This word means
"...a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others
are done rightly, ... guardian, or superintendent..." - GWT.
Ephesians
4:11; Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1,2 - "Pastors" (shepherds) tend the
local church like shepherds guiding or caring for their flock.
1
Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Timothy 3:4,5 - They "rule" in the
congregation, and others should "submit" to them and "obey"
them.
Elders
are also responsible to teach the church, including teaching men
authoritatively (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9-14; Heb. 13:17).
Note
that the terms used for the leadership of elders in the church are similar to
those used for the leadership of husbands in the home. They guide, oversee, and
rule. The members should submit and obey. These terms show that elders have the
right to make decisions that others are obligated to follow.
Decisions
must be made in a local church. The men responsible to see that these decisions
are rightly made are the elders. They must not lead the church into activities
unauthorized in the gospel; but in carrying out authorized acts, there are many
decisions that need to be made. These men are also responsible to teach men
authoritatively and to address the assembled church.
Yet
elders were always men.
***********************
* 1
Timothy 3:1,2; Titus 1:5,6 - Each elder (or bishop) must be the husband of one
wife. "Husband" literally means "man" or "male"
(the context is what indicates that he is married, hence a
"husband"). Further, he must be a husband to one wife (literally
"woman"). But a woman cannot Scripturally be a husband to a
woman/wife (Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 7:2-4).
*
Further, an elder must rule well his own house (1 Tim. 3:4,5). But we have
learned from other Scriptures that the husband, not the wife, is to rule the
family.
Note
that the passages say that the elders "must" meet the above
requirements. This is not option or suggestion. These are God-given
requirements.
Since
the death of the apostles, the elders occupy the highest leadership role in the
church, leading both men and women. They too are always and necessarily men,
not women.
All
Deacons Must Be Men.
================
Deacons
were men.
****************
"Deacon"
means "servant," so one might be a deacon without exercising
leadership. Nevertheless, the responsibilities might at times involve making
decisions that other men in the church ought to follow.
1
Timothy 3:12 - Those who are qualified to serve in the office of deacon were
always men, since like the elders, they must also be husbands of one wife,
ruling their households well.
Acts
6:3-6 - The seven who were appointed to be "over" the business of
distributing to the needy in the Jerusalem church definitely had some
decision-making role. And all seven were "men."
Female "deaconesses"?
*******************
Some
claim female "deaconesses" served in the early church (Rom. 16:1,2).
"Servant" is the feminine form of the word that is elsewhere
translated "deacon," however the word is more commonly translated
simply "servant" or "minister," even for men who are not
appointed to an office (1 Thess. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:6; John 12:26). (This is similar
to the word "elder," which is sometimes used to refer simply to one
who is older, but not appointed to an office - Titus 2:2-4.)
So, the
word for "servant" refers to an appointed office only when the
context necessarily implies it. But no context anywhere designates a woman as
appointed to any office in the church. We know that men were appointed to an
office of elder, because we have passages that describe them being ordained
(Acts 14:23) and passages that state the specific qualifications one must meet
before being appointed (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Likewise, we have a list
of qualifications for men who serve in the office of deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13).
But
what passage anywhere states that women were ever appointed or ordained to any
office in the church? And what passage states the qualifications they must meet
in order to be appointed? In the absence of a description of their qualifications
or a passage describing their ordination, the only fair conclusion is that
there was no such office. If there was, we could never know who would qualify
or who should be appointed.
Even
more important, no passage anywhere describes any such women having leadership
over men or a decision-making role equivalent to that of any man. In short,
there is no evidence that any women ever served in an office of
"deaconess" that involved them in leading men or making decisions as
men did.
All Who
Wrote Books of the Bible Were Men.
===========================
The Bible, of course, was written to teach authoritatively both
men and women.
While
we do not know the authors of some books, yet to the extent we know the
authors, they were always men: Moses, Joshua, Peter, Paul, John, Matthew, Luke,
etc. There is no evidence whatever that any woman authored any part of any book
of the Bible.
Surely
this evidence begins to mount up. Surely there is some reason why, in the New
Testament, it was men - always men and only men - who occupied positions in the
church that involved leadership or authority over men. The kind of thing that
is advocated by feminists, denominationalists, and even some in the Lord's
church simply never happened. Surely this is related to the Bible concept of
women's subjection to men.
All Who
Taught With Authority Over Men or Who Addressed Congregational Assemblies Were
Men.
=====================================
Before
Jesus' death, He established the pattern of male leadership in teaching.
****************************************************
Many
examples during Jesus' lifetime illustrate teaching in a leadership role over
men (and women). The church had not yet begun, but Jesus' teaching was intended
to prepare for the kingdom. He taught people to obey the Old Testament as long
as it remained in effect. But He also followed principles of teaching and
leadership. Would He have established patterns in such matters that would
violate the New Testament teaching for the church when it did begin?
Matthew
4:23; 9:35; 13:54 - Jesus taught in synagogue meetings. These were generally
meetings of the whole assembly of Jews: men and women assembled together. These
appear to me to be the closest equivalent during Jesus' lifetime to the
assemblies of local churches. In every case, those who spoke are listed as men.
I cannot find any case where a woman ever spoke in such a meeting. They not
only did not lead the discussions, but there is no record that they even spoke
to the group. Not one time. [Mark 1:21,39; 6:2; Luke 4:15,16,44; 6:6; 13:10;
John 6:59; 18:20]
Matthew
5:1; 11:7; 12:46; 13:2,34; 15:10; 23:1 - Jesus also taught in
"multitudes" or crowds. These do not appear to be as similar to our
congregational assemblies as were synagogue meetings. The synagogue consisted
of people committed to be part of it (like the local church). The multitudes
were less formally organized. Some may have been smaller groups. These
consisted of mixed groups of men and women. In rare cases, especially in
smaller groups, women may have asked a question or made a comment. But in every
case, those who led such studies were men, never women. [Mark 2:2,13;
3:7,20,32; 4:1; 5:31; 6:30; 7:14; 8:1; 9:14; 10:1; Luke 5:1,15; 6:17ff; 7:24;
8:4; 9:11; 11:29; 12:1,54; 14:25; John 6:2]
Luke 3:7 - John the Baptist also taught such multitudes.
So,
those who led discussions of spiritual matters in mixed groups (men and women)
were always men. And when the synagogue met as an assembled, organized body,
there is no record of women ever speaking at all; only men spoke.
After
Jesus' death, again men taught in leadership roles over men and in the
assemblies of local churches.
*****************************************************
Acts
9:20; 13:5,14-16,42,43; 14:1; 17:1-3,10,17; 18:4,19,26; 19:8 - Paul and his
companions often taught in Jewish synagogues. These were no longer God's
people, but teaching there involved teaching both men and women. And they still
illustrate the nature of congregational assemblies similar to church
assemblies. And when Christians taught in such mixed meetings, those who led
were always men.
Acts
18:26 - Apollos taught in the synagogue, then Aquila and Priscilla explained
God's way to him more accurately. Here a woman was involved in helping impart
spiritual truth to a man; but note that they left the assembly to do this
("took him aside"), hence a small group meeting. So, numerous
examples show men teaching in synagogue assemblies; but when a woman was
involved in the speaking, it was not done when the entire body was assembled.
Acts 7
- Stephen addressed the Sanhedrin council (consisting of men). He
authoritatively taught them and rebuked them for their sins.
Acts
6:2-5 - The apostles instructed the multitude of the disciples to choose seven
men to be in charge of distributing to needy members. It appears that the whole
group was involved in choosing the men (based on qualifications that were
described), but how people indicated their choice is not stated. The only ones
who are mentioned as speaking were men. The decision of how to resolve the
problem was made by men (the apostles). And all the people chosen to be in
charge of the work were men. (See further notes on this passage later.)
Acts 11:25,26
- The church in Antioch assembled and many people were taught. Those mentioned
as doing the teaching were men. No women are mentioned as saying anything.
Acts
11:22-24; 13:1-3; 15:27,30-32,39-41 - Those who were chosen by local churches
and sent out to proclaim the word were always men.
Acts
14:27 - Paul and Barnabas assembled the church together and reported about
their preaching trip. Again, a congregation assembled, but only men are said to
have spoken.
Acts
15:3,4 - Again, Paul and Barnabas assembled with several churches to tell about
their preaching work. Only men are said to have spoken in these church
meetings.
Acts
15:6-29 - The apostles and elders met to consider the issue of whether or not
people must still keep the Old Testament law. The decision regarding the law
was made in private by men, then it was revealed to the congregation who
accepted it as a good decision. All the people who spoke were men, no women are
said to have spoken. And the decision was made by the leaders. (Cf. 16:4.) (See
further notes on this passage later.)
Acts
15:30-32 - The church in Antioch assembled to receive the letter from
Jerusalem. The ones who spoke in this congregational meeting were men (v32).
Acts
20:7 - The disciples in Troas met to have the Lord's Supper. The one who spoke
was a man (Paul). No indication that women spoke at all.
The
pattern to this point is consistent, both during and after Jesus' lifetime.
***************************************************
The
following pattern has been established by example after example, role after
role, based on literally dozens of passages.
1) Only
men, never women, were ever appointed to roles/offices in the church that
involved leading men or making decisions for the group.
2) When
men participated, spiritual teaching or discussions were led by men, never by
women.
3) When
churches assembled as a body or entire group for church functions, the only
people who ever spoke or addressed the group were men - no examples of women
speaking.
(Please
see our article on www.gospelway.com for further discussion of 1 Timothy 2 and
1 Corinthians 14 and applications to women's role.)
