|
The Biblical Role of Women in the Church
By Adam Bartlett
There has been controversy over the role of women in Christianity for centuries and it does not appear as though it will cease until the return of Christ. Women are very important in the ministry of the home and have equally important roles in the church environment. It is an unfortunate fact in our world today that for quite some time now the men in many homes have failed to be the spiritual leaders as they were intended. For this reason many women have stepped up and taken on that responsibility and if they had not there is no doubt that those homes would have been spiritually lost.
Women were mentioned many times in scripture as being with the disciples at certain times but there are no indications that any of them followed along full time with the disciples. There are some that try to use certain scriptures to support the claim that women can and should be ministers of the Gospel. This entails that they can and should be allowed to be pastors and teachers over men. When I use the word “minister” in the rest of this teaching I am referring to the whole realm of offices it includes. I would like to look at a few of these scriptures and discuss what I believe they indicate.
Matthew 8
14: And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.
15: And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and “ministered” unto them.
The word used here as “ministered” is diakoneo and this is the definition of that word; to serve, wait upon, with emphasis on the work to be done and not on the relationship between the lord and servant.
This is important because this same word is used again relating to a different word describing ministering.
Luke 10
38: Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39: And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
40: But Martha was cumbered about much “serving,” and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to “serve” alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41: And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
The word used here for “serve & serving” is the same word used in Matthew 8 above “diakoneo” carrying the same definition. Jesus was not condemning Martha for “serving” but He was not going to chastise her sister for wanting to learn at Jesus’ feet either.
Matthew 27
55: And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
56: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
There are other scriptures that indicate that there were at times women that were with Jesus and the disciples and “ministering” unto them. I guess the question is what is this “ministering” and does it solidify the claim that women can and should be ministers of the Gospel? My point in bringing up these scriptures is to show the scriptural references to women in the Gospels as associated with the disciples and their work. These scriptures alone obviously do not present any type of teaching or allusion that women were doing the work of disciples. I have to believe that if Jesus had intended for women to be ministers along with men that He would have included at least one among the disciples to agree with that line of thinking.
John 4
28: The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29: Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30: Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
This scripture is used by many to say that this Samaritan woman was an evangelist because she went into her town and told all the men about Jesus. Indeed she was an evangelist in that sense and it was a great thing, but it does not support a teaching that all women can be ministers. Actually what this woman did was gave her testimony to the town as to what Christ said to her. Her testimony was what caused them to go out and see Christ for themselves. We are all called to be witnesses for Jesus and in that sense an evangelist, and there are no distinctions made in that command as far as male and female. There is a difference though in witnessing or evangelizing and being a minister of the Gospel.
The following scriptures show that Christ likened our relationship as man and wife to the church setting as us being described as the "Bride" of Christ. Therefore our relationship as Christians is compared to a marriage. We are the “body” of Christ and as individual members we become a united “Bride” unto Him. Just as the Man is supposed to be the “head” of the marriage and home, so in the church relationship the man is supposed to be the spiritual leader of the church and priest of his home. This tradition was established in the Old Testament and continued throughout history even till the end of time. Therefore God likens the church structure to that of a marriage relationship.
Ephesians 5
22: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24: Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
1 Corinthians 11
1: 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.
1 Peter 3
1: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2: While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3: Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4: But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5: For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
These scriptures deal with the position of the wife in the marriage union in the sense that she is "subject" to the husband just as the husband is "subject" to Christ. Unfortunately in today's society man has failed to perform as they were instructed to in this marriage union. Many women in the world today are the spiritual ones in these family settings and it has caused confusion in what is spiritually correct. Regardless if the husband fails to perform his role as spiritual leader of the home it does not negate the scriptural guidelines. Jesus ordained the marriage in that the man was to be the head and in contrast to the church structure men should lead the church. There is also an unfortunate reality that some men abuse their position and do not “honor” their wives as they are commanded. It is not designed to be a dictatorship but rather a union in which all parties can contribute within the structural limitations.
This also brings up many questions which we will address later such as; what about when the man is a deadbeat spiritual leader? What about single women? What about women that currently have ministries? I would like to focus at this point on the Biblical standard which is set in place regarding this issue. There are three scriptures that are very clear regarding the issue of a woman’s role in the church setting.
1 Corinthians 14
34: 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.
At the time this was written it was very important in the Jewish heritage that men were the priests of the home and they honored their positions. Jewish males were required to study extensively from childhood and knew the scriptures very well at young ages. How refreshing it would be if that were the case with all male Christians today. When a Jewish male reached the age of 13 they had a Bar Mitzvah, in which the boy (which was considered to be a man after this point) would recite the law publicly for the first time. There are few, if any 13 year old boys that could even recite the books of the Bible forget about the whole Law of Moses. It was the males of that era that went to the religion classes and learned the law inside and out that is why it would be considered a shame to them if their wives asked questions in the church.
The subjection issue was big in that day also, which contributed to the reason it is stressed in these verses. It is not to say that it was a bad thing by any means, and it would be a welcomed addition to our society today. Since the introduction of “women’s rights and equality movement” our society has drifted from the structures God intended for the marriage and family settings. Women in the work place, pursuing careers, basically doing anything a man can do. It has caused major problems in the “traditional” family structures.
1 Timothy 2
11: 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.
I believe it is very clear that wives are not to attempt to "Usurp" the position of their husband or men, in neither the home nor the church. As I mentioned before unfortunately in our society today men have not performed their roles. In Christianity today women have become free and equal to their husbands in most churches and functions. There are many cases where they have overstepped their boundaries and limitations which were set in place by God. He placed man over the woman and there are no exceptions in the scriptures for spiritually deadbeat husbands.
Does this cover the role of women teaching men or even being ministers? Absolutely, the scripture clearly indicates that they are not to "Usurp" authority over man nor to teach over men. Women pastors are the most blatant disregard for this scripture I know of. Even though many men and husbands are not where they need to be in the church, there are still enough spiritually capable men to fulfill these positions.
I do not believe it is intended that women must be "completely" silent in the church setting. I believe it is indicating that women should display a tranquil spirit in their attempt to learn. It indicates the proper order or subjection to authority in spiritual governance. The wife or woman should respect the order that was implemented by God and therefore in their desire to learn should obtain that knowledge within those guidelines.
So what do we do with women that are not married or women that have spiritually deadbeat husbands? I believe that is also outlined in scripture in the fact that women may teach other women and children. Women may learn from the more mature and spiritual women in the church. Because a woman may be single does not mean that she is freed from the Biblical structure. A single woman is still subject to the same rules and guidelines that are set forth in the scriptures we have already covered. If a single woman feels a call to do something, they can minister to other single women, girls and children.
It is not demeaning or degrading for women to teach women and children. That is a very important role in Christianity and one that is seriously lacking in today’s churches. It is a great responsibility because you are teaching these children at an impressionable age and they are learning their spiritual foundations at your hands. Women should never take the role of teaching children or other women lightly or think of it as a lesser ministry.
Titus 2
3: 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.
Women are very valuable in our spirituality and in the churches. They are not to be overlooked by any means, but they must also avoid violating scriptural guidelines. As for the "boards" and "committees" and all the other groups in the church that deaden it; I do not see scriptural support for them to start with so if women are on them I don't see how it violates this same standard.
First, let me try to explain again because I may not have said it the right way earlier. God likened the structure of the church to a marriage in the order of subjection. It does not mean that a woman ...refers only to a married woman and a man ... refers only to a married man. It was used as a practical example of us being the bride of Christ and "we" being the church make up the bride. In that context it includes all females and males of all ages regardless of marital status.
It is also obvious by looking at our churches today that not all men that are ministers are true to their calling or even called at all. There are many that abuse their positions and do not perform them in respect to the guidelines that are set out for them either. They will answer for that when they face the Lord as well as anyone they may have led astray as a result of their error. They are not worthy to be the spiritual leader of that church and most likely their home also, although they are still "called" and directed by God to be that. Just because they are not performing their role does not mean that the woman can "usurp" that position because she may be more spiritual. She is still subject to the "men" of the church she may attend and they are her spiritual leaders.
The men that are not performing their roles in the home as spiritual leader are simply forfeiting their rights of that position in their family and home. The woman is still subject to God's ordinances in the church setting. The woman in that situation is still quite capable of teaching the children under her care what they need to know also. She can also teach women, girls and children in the church setting.
As for Joyce Meyer and all the other women that have placed themselves in the positions they are in, I can only say what the scriptures clearly say to me. Women that have their own churches or congregations are in direct violation of the scriptures we have covered.
There is also a new move in the churches today of “Co-Pastors” in churches involving husband and wife. There is no Biblical support for that concept in scripture as far as the wife sharing the responsibilities of the pastoral role. I am not sure what the position entails as it is used in churches today and I know many will not agree and even get angry with me but the scripture clearly does not support this role. If this role is completely detached from the authoritative role of a pastor by the woman then I would see no harm in it. However, I would fail to see the need for the title if that were the case.
I am only relaying what I see in the scriptures and I know of none that teach otherwise. I am not saying that God has not gifted certain women with a special teaching ability. However they would be in line with the scripture if they used that gift with women and children. Writing books, giving speeches, testimonies, etc….are not infringing on the scriptures the way I understand them.
There are deacons and bishops mentioned in the order of the church leadership. These are offices in the church to take the load off of the pastor and they are offices that are clearly to be men. They are offices and are not the same as all the boards and many offices and committees the church institutes today.
I guess in summary I would have to explain it like this: From the beginning of the induction of the “Priesthood” God has only used men to accomplish the tasks regarding His Temple and in our day the “Church.” All throughout the days of the Tabernacle and Temple, it was the men of the tribe of Levi that were called upon to perform the functions and ordinances of what we consider the church. The High Priests were all men, the priests were all men, and all the prophets and apostles were men. Throughout the Old Testament and New the structure and responsibility of performing the ordinances of the church were directed by men. Men did not set up this structure, God did!
Yes, Jesus did have women that followed Him and ministered to Him and the disciples. Yes, Mary Magdalene and the woman at the well in John 4 were witnesses for Jesus. That is different than pastors or ministers over congregations. We are all called to be ambassadors and witnesses for Him. That is a command, but it does not conflict with the teachings regarding the woman's position in church settings either. Women are commanded as much as men to go out and win the lost. It is after they are won that they need to be discipled, which is instructed and taught and according to the Bible that is where the men should be performing that role.
Lest the men should forget, it was the women that first went to the tomb. It was women that first believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. It was women that first declared He was risen and it was women that He appeared to first.
Women are very important and invaluable to the home and church and true men will treat them as such. Real men will love their wives as they love themselves and respect them as the weaker vessel, not demean them. Real men will also recognize and admit that in most cases women are stronger than we men are.
In Christ,
Adam
Bible Headquarters
|
|
|
|