"Women pastors / preachers? What does the Bible say about women in pastoral ministry?"
There is perhaps no more hotly debated issue in the church today than the issue of women serving as pastors/preachers. As a result, it is very important to not see this issue as men versus women. There are women who believe women should not serve as pastors and that the Bible places restrictions on the ministry of women, and there are men who believe women can serve as preachers and that there are no restrictions on women in ministry. This is not an issue of chauvinism or discrimination. It is an issue of biblical interpretation.
The Word of God proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). In the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. This is a result of the way mankind was created and the way in which sin entered the world (2 Timothy 2:13-14). God, through the apostle Paul, restricts women from serving in roles of teaching and/or having spiritual authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors, which definitely includes preaching to, teaching, and having spiritual authority over men.
There are many “objections” to this view of women in ministry. A common one is that Paul restricts women from teaching because in the first century, women were typically uneducated. However, 1 Timothy 2:11-14 nowhere mentions educational status. If education were a qualification for ministry, the majority of Jesus' disciples would not have been qualified. A second common objection is that Paul only restricted the women of Ephesus from teaching (1 Timothy was written to Timothy, who was the pastor of the church in Ephesus). The city of Ephesus was known for its temple to Artemis, a false Greek/Roman goddess. Women were the authority in the worship of Artemis. However, the book of 1 Timothy nowhere mentions Artemis, nor does Paul mention Artemis worship as a reason for the restrictions in 1 Timothy 2:11-12.
A third common objection is that Paul is only referring to husbands and wives, not men and women in general. The Greek words in the passage could refer to husbands and wives; however, the basic meaning of the words refers to men and women. Further, the same Greek words are used in verses 8-10. Are only husbands to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing (verse 8)? Are only wives to dress modestly, have good deeds, and worship God (verses 9-10)? Of course not. Verses 8-10 clearly refer to all men and women, not only husbands and wives. There is nothing in the context that would indicate a switch to husbands and wives in verses 11-14.
Yet another frequent objection to this interpretation of women in ministry is in relation to women who held positions of leadership in the Bible, specifically Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah in the Old Testament. This objection fails to note some significant factors. First, Deborah was the only female judge among 13 male judges. Huldah was the only female prophet among dozens of male prophets mentioned in the Bible. Miriam's only connection to leadership was being the sister of Moses and Aaron. The two most prominent women in the times of the Kings were Athaliah and Jezebel—hardly examples of godly female leadership. Most significantly, though, the authority of women in the Old Testament is not relevant to the issue. The book of 1 Timothy and the other Pastoral Epistles present a new paradigm for the church—the body of Christ—and that paradigm involves the authority structure for the church, not for the nation of Israel or any other Old Testament entity.
Similar arguments are made using Priscilla and Phoebe in the New Testament. In Acts 18, Priscilla and Aquila are presented as faithful ministers for Christ. Priscilla's name is mentioned first, perhaps indicating that she was more “prominent” in ministry than her husband. However, Priscilla is nowhere described as participating in a ministry activity that is in contradiction to 1 Timothy 2:11-14. Priscilla and Aquila brought Apollos into their home and they both discipled him, explaining the Word of God to him more accurately (Acts 18:26).
In Romans 16:1, even if Phoebe is considered a “deaconess” instead of a “servant,” that does not indicate that Phoebe was a teacher in the church. “Able to teach” is given as a qualification for elders, but not deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). Elders/bishops/deacons are described as the “husband of one wife,” “a man whose children believe,” and “men worthy of respect.” Clearly the indication is that these qualifications refer to men. In addition, in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9, masculine pronouns are used exclusively to refer to elders/bishops/deacons.
The structure of 1 Timothy 2:11-14 makes the “reason” perfectly clear. Verse 13 begins with “for” and gives the “cause” of Paul’s statement in verses 11-12. Why should women not teach or have authority over men? Because “Adam was created first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived.” God created Adam first and then created Eve to be a “helper” for Adam. This order of creation has universal application in the family (Ephesians 5:22-33) and the church. The fact that Eve was deceived is also given as a reason for women not serving as pastors or having spiritual authority over men. This leads some to believe that women should not teach because they are more easily deceived. That concept is debatable, but if women are more easily deceived, why should they be allowed to teach children (who are easily deceived) and other women (who are supposedly more easily deceived)? That is not what the text says. Women are not to teach men or have spiritual authority over men because Eve was deceived. As a result, God has given men the primary teaching authority in the church.
Many women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching, and helps. Much of the ministry of the local church depends on women. Women in the church are not restricted from public praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5), only from having spiritual teaching authority over men. The Bible nowhere restricts women from exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12). Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others, to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and to proclaim the gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15).
God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching men or having spiritual authority over them. This logically would preclude women from serving as pastors/preachers. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them.
The Word of God proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). In the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. This is a result of the way mankind was created and the way in which sin entered the world (2 Timothy 2:13-14). God, through the apostle Paul, restricts women from serving in roles of teaching and/or having spiritual authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors, which definitely includes preaching to, teaching, and having spiritual authority over men.
There are many “objections” to this view of women in ministry. A common one is that Paul restricts women from teaching because in the first century, women were typically uneducated. However, 1 Timothy 2:11-14 nowhere mentions educational status. If education were a qualification for ministry, the majority of Jesus' disciples would not have been qualified. A second common objection is that Paul only restricted the women of Ephesus from teaching (1 Timothy was written to Timothy, who was the pastor of the church in Ephesus). The city of Ephesus was known for its temple to Artemis, a false Greek/Roman goddess. Women were the authority in the worship of Artemis. However, the book of 1 Timothy nowhere mentions Artemis, nor does Paul mention Artemis worship as a reason for the restrictions in 1 Timothy 2:11-12.
A third common objection is that Paul is only referring to husbands and wives, not men and women in general. The Greek words in the passage could refer to husbands and wives; however, the basic meaning of the words refers to men and women. Further, the same Greek words are used in verses 8-10. Are only husbands to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing (verse 8)? Are only wives to dress modestly, have good deeds, and worship God (verses 9-10)? Of course not. Verses 8-10 clearly refer to all men and women, not only husbands and wives. There is nothing in the context that would indicate a switch to husbands and wives in verses 11-14.
Yet another frequent objection to this interpretation of women in ministry is in relation to women who held positions of leadership in the Bible, specifically Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah in the Old Testament. This objection fails to note some significant factors. First, Deborah was the only female judge among 13 male judges. Huldah was the only female prophet among dozens of male prophets mentioned in the Bible. Miriam's only connection to leadership was being the sister of Moses and Aaron. The two most prominent women in the times of the Kings were Athaliah and Jezebel—hardly examples of godly female leadership. Most significantly, though, the authority of women in the Old Testament is not relevant to the issue. The book of 1 Timothy and the other Pastoral Epistles present a new paradigm for the church—the body of Christ—and that paradigm involves the authority structure for the church, not for the nation of Israel or any other Old Testament entity.
Similar arguments are made using Priscilla and Phoebe in the New Testament. In Acts 18, Priscilla and Aquila are presented as faithful ministers for Christ. Priscilla's name is mentioned first, perhaps indicating that she was more “prominent” in ministry than her husband. However, Priscilla is nowhere described as participating in a ministry activity that is in contradiction to 1 Timothy 2:11-14. Priscilla and Aquila brought Apollos into their home and they both discipled him, explaining the Word of God to him more accurately (Acts 18:26).
In Romans 16:1, even if Phoebe is considered a “deaconess” instead of a “servant,” that does not indicate that Phoebe was a teacher in the church. “Able to teach” is given as a qualification for elders, but not deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). Elders/bishops/deacons are described as the “husband of one wife,” “a man whose children believe,” and “men worthy of respect.” Clearly the indication is that these qualifications refer to men. In addition, in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9, masculine pronouns are used exclusively to refer to elders/bishops/deacons.
The structure of 1 Timothy 2:11-14 makes the “reason” perfectly clear. Verse 13 begins with “for” and gives the “cause” of Paul’s statement in verses 11-12. Why should women not teach or have authority over men? Because “Adam was created first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived.” God created Adam first and then created Eve to be a “helper” for Adam. This order of creation has universal application in the family (Ephesians 5:22-33) and the church. The fact that Eve was deceived is also given as a reason for women not serving as pastors or having spiritual authority over men. This leads some to believe that women should not teach because they are more easily deceived. That concept is debatable, but if women are more easily deceived, why should they be allowed to teach children (who are easily deceived) and other women (who are supposedly more easily deceived)? That is not what the text says. Women are not to teach men or have spiritual authority over men because Eve was deceived. As a result, God has given men the primary teaching authority in the church.
Many women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching, and helps. Much of the ministry of the local church depends on women. Women in the church are not restricted from public praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5), only from having spiritual teaching authority over men. The Bible nowhere restricts women from exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12). Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others, to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and to proclaim the gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15).
God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching men or having spiritual authority over them. This logically would preclude women from serving as pastors/preachers. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them.
Comment
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Comment by Pastor Rodrick Sweet,ThM on October 23, 2009 at 8:52am
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Uhhhhh! By quoting Paul are you saying that the list of men and women means that they are all preachers. If yes, than "bad form" on your part.
You are not telling the truth. Where do I start? Lets see your use of the Book of ACTS, the book of ACTS is a book of transition, any real study of it will prove this to be true. With that being said you are right that is what it says, yet we see it fulfilled in the very next chapters. That still does not mean that a women should preach. Second the list of names found in Romans is a list of believers that worked with Paul in some way. Your Strong's lead you wrong. The Greek text read's "συνιστημι δε υμιν φοιβην την αδελφην ημων ουσαν [και] διακονον της εκκλησιας της εν κεγχρεαις" Now I know that you see it in the passage! The word in question is diakonos and it is use 27 times in the NT and in all cases it means aservant. Romans 16:7 reads Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. There is debate among Greek scholars as two the gender of this person, any way this passage in no way means that he/she was a preacher.
The real question is not "can" a woman preach but "should" a woman preach. The answer is no. Read 1 Tim 3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. The word here is very gender related man not woman, how do you know you may be asking (CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT). Only a man can be a husband. God does not call women to preach it is not the order of things in the church!
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Comment by Dr Teresa C. McClendon on October 22, 2009 at 11:29pm
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Pastor Rodrick, it would be great if the objection of most men were their own, unfortunately the pick up a thought and convinced by other who feel that they are being lead by God to stop women from preaching or overseeing the flock of God. First of all I want to say that if a rock will cry out to God surely I know a woman can. Secondly I recall in the Word of God where Peterl was told of individuals who preached the Gospel who were not worthy and his reply was, "it really didnt matter as long as the Gospel is being preached. Again my point if crooked unconnected men are left alone to preach and have others follow them how much more can a woman. Which brings me to my third point, I recall Peter saying and reinerating that which Joel Prophesied that in the Last Days God would pour out his Spirit on All Flesh. All means all and that is All All means. Now the passage of scripture found in Acts 2 goes on to say that Daughters will prophesy and that means to tell forth the mind and wise counsel of God. It goes on to speak of handmaidens.. (That is what you men who preach such a gospel desire we women to be. The Word says that in between cooking and cleaning and making men like youself confortable, we will yet have an anointing to prophesy.. Tell Forth the mind and wise counsel of God. Thus my forth point in Acts 8 Men and Women were dragged out and taken to prison, you mean we can suffer with you but just dont teach what you are suffering for. Satan believes that women are anointed and will be used by God but men of your sort don't. Amazing that Satan has more faith in the ability and boundaries of God than his own men servants do. Shall we proceed....
Acts 8:12 says, "Both men and women were baptized." Shortly afterwards, Peter and John arrived and prayed for the church that they might receive the Holy Spirit. In verse 17, they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. They all received the Holy Spirit! The church in Samaria did. Men and women made up the church - baptized men and women. We cannot be true to the text and make it read "and they laid their hands on the men only." Sir, their is not one scholar who would so argue. In Acts 21:8 Paul visited Philip's house. Philip had four daughters who prophesied. Who did these daughters edify when they prophesied? Where did they prophesy? When did they prophesy? No one knows, but one should not conclude that they did not prophesy to the whole church. Nor should it be concluded that they prophesied to women only or to men only in "private" situations. Let's move on to my next point. Romans 16
1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2That 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.
3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
NOW I WANT TO GO THROUGH THESE NAMES GIVE RECOGNITION BY PAUL... IN THE BOOK OF ROMANS AND I FEEL I WOULD HAVE PROVEN MY POINT CONCERNING THIS MATTER!
#1 PHEBE A SISTER AND A SERVANT - PAUL SAYS TO ASSIST HER IN WHATEVER BUSINESS SHE HAS TO HANDLE, SHE HAS BEEN A SUCCOURER ( IN THE GREEK IT MEANS (Prostatis) A WOMAN SET OVER OTHERS.
#2 OF COURSE PRICILLA (HELPERS IN CHRIST)
#3 Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
#4 JUNIA = "youthful" - ROMANS 16:7 (WHO ARE OF NOTE AMONG THE APOSTLES- WHO WAS IN CHRIST BEFORE ME - Junia ws a Christian woman at Rome, mentioned by Paul as one of his kinsfolk and fellow prisoners.
#5 Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
Just Roman 16 alone leaves us to believe God uses who he wants and how he wants..
I am so Glad their is no gender in God as PAUL ALSO SAID AND I AM CLOSING IN GALATIANS 3:28
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.
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Hummm, Okay what does that have to do with women and should they preach/pastor. I agree that the NT church had prophets. But we don't need them today, You may think that we do but the text tells us something else.
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A consideration of these Scriptures quickly shows that these congregational prophets were just that, that is, they prophesied of conditions which would affect church congregations or leaders. In Acts 11:27-30, Agabus prophesies that a famine would spread over 'the entire Roman world' - this would obviously affect congregations of Christians. The text clearly tells us that this occurred 'during the reign of Claudius' (Verse 28).
In Acts 13:1-3, we again see prophets mentioned. At first this might appear to be a looser use of 'prophet', but it seems they are only mentioned here because a message to set apart Paul and Barnabas is received (Verse 2).
When we come to Acts 15:32-34, there is mention of Judas and Silas being prophets but the use here could well denote the encourager and inspirer sense of prophet, since no predictive prophecy is mentioned. Notice it:
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers
(Verse32)
In other words, this might mean little more than, 'Judas and Silas who themselves were very encouraging and inspiring speakers said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers'
We now come to Acts 21:10-11. Agabus is again involved here. He utters a predictive prophecy regarding Paul. By the way, this was probably around 15 years after the Acts 11:27-30 occasion.
So we can see that there were indeed New Covenant prophets, but they bore little resemblance to the Old Testament Hebrew prophets who had been national figures warning of various national calamities which would befall Israel and Judah if the people did not turn from their wicked ways!
But the New Testament office only appeared concerned with Christian congregational life and with the protection of Christian leaders.
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Okay, but don't let that stop you. I look for to the exchange of ideals. It was not meant to be hurtfull. I must remember to minister to the need of people first. Some time we preacher get into good debates and we don't think that there people that might not understand we are friends and brother and sisters. Blessing to and please keep sharing.....
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Comment by cherry on October 21, 2009 at 8:14pm
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Blessings Pastor Sweet, I see everything on this site is mainly debated, and thus why this was my first and last time giving my input. I know what the topic is, but I was merely sharing with Prop. Cheryl, relating to her question.
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WOW, Cherry, this is why I don't believe in modern day prophets. You based everything on you personal experience, and not the WORD of GOD! I have a question for you. "Have you ever been wrong?" I have a blog on that subject, this was about women as preachers and pastors. Thank you very much for your comments....
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Prop. Cheryl, this has happened to me on ocassions, and I learned I was to pray and interceed for that peson. If the spirit leads you to say what thus says the Lord, you should do so. I had the experience where in church one day, I could not stop crying when I looked at this elder-I told his daughter who is a minister to go lay hands and pray for him. As she did this, I heard him say who told you to pray for me? And I heard his daughter say my name-the next day, his wife was driving and she was in an accident. Normally, the elder would have been on the passenger side, because he doesnt drive. Well, a car crashed into the passenger side during the accident. Then a couple of days later, he went to a dr's appt, and the elevator broke-he is unable in normally instances to climb stairs-he waited about an hour for the elevator to be repaired, and it wasnt-he had to climb the stairs-I could tell that he didnt really receive why I asked that he be prayed for-but we dont know what our speaking out can save someone from-I have learned to say what the Lord wants, once I release it to that person, it is up to them to receive it.
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Good evening to you, I'm very sorry that you had to undergo such a ministry. As for you being a prophert please read my blog "Are there prophets in the church today?" I donot believe that there is a need for prophets today. Please read why and let us discuss it. Blessing
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