A Biblical Perspective on Women in Ministry
Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2007
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
Have you ever wanted to comment after reading a very well-written article but knew the space allowed for your comment would be insufficient? What if you disagreed with the author's perspective? What did you do?
I have the utmost respect for the author and therefore felt he was due more than a “with all due respect" preamble before an opposing point of view was listed in the comments. This article is a result of my respect for him and my steadfast, unmovable Biblical Perspective on Women in the Ministry.
I come from three generations of women ministers. Naturally, they were not silent in the church. Apostle Paul’s first letter written to the Corinthians in Chapter 15, verses 34 and 35, is given from four translations: King James, Amplified, Contemporary English and Young’s Literal Translation Bibles.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 :: King James Version (KJV)Does this mean that women should not speak in church services today? It is clear from 11:5 that women prayed and prophesied in public worship.
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.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)
34 The women should keep quiet in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but should take a secondary and subordinate place, just as the Law also says.
35 But if there is anything they want to learn, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in church [for her to usurp and exercise authority over men in the church].
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 :: Contemporary English Version (CEV)
34 The women must not be allowed to speak. They must keep quiet and listen, as the Law of Moses teaches.
35 If there is something they want to know, they can ask their husbands when they get home. It is disgraceful for women to speak in church.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 :: Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
34 Your women in the assemblies let them be silent, for it hath not been permitted to them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith;
35 and if they wish to learn anything, at home their own husbands let them question, for it is a shame to women to speak in an assembly.
1 Corinthians 11:5 :: King James Version (KJV)It is also clear in Chapters 12-14 that women are given spiritual gifts and are encouraged to exercise them in the body of Christ. Women have much to contribute and can participate in worship services.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Further study reveals, in the Corinthian culture, women were not allowed to confront men in public. Apparently some of the women who had become Christians thought their Christian freedom gave them the right to question the men in public worship. This was causing division in the church. In addition, women of that day did not receive formal religious education, as did the men. Women may have been raising questions in the worship services that could have been answered at home without disrupting the services. I feel Apostle Paul was merely asking the women not to flaunt their Christian freedom during worship. The purpose of Apostle Paul’s words was to promote unity, NOT to teach about women’s roles in the church.
Christianity enhanced the role of women. Faith in Christ transcends these differences and makes all believers one in Christ. This is confirmed in Paul’s letter to the Church at Galatia in the following Chapter and verse:
Galatians 3:28 :: King James Version (KJV)
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.
God shows no favoritism. Acts, a sequel to the Gospel of Luke tells us:
Acts 10:34-35 :: King James Version (KJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
I submit, in Paul’s first letter to the Christians at Corinth, he was telling them that women must exhibit God's Holy character when they accept God's functional order with a quiet, respectful demeanor. Women are not to be muzzled in mute passivity. Women are to be receptive and teachable disciples. And the Holiness of God is not evidenced in women when they are brash, brassy, boisterous, brazen, head-strong, strong-willed, loud-mouthed, overly-talkative, having to have the last word, challenging, controlling, manipulative, critical, conceited, arrogant, aggressive, assertive, strident, interruptive, undisciplined, insubordinate, disruptive, dominating, domineering, or clamoring for power. These are not the characteristics of a virtuous woman or fruit of the Spirit.
And finally, we are God’s people, chosen to be part of his plan to reach the world. In love and by faith, we can have the Holy Spirit’s help as we witness or preach. Because of sin, there will always be the abuses of male chauvinism and clamoring feminism. God can work through any opposition but we must not be in opposition towards one another because of our gender differences. A man or woman of God must: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
© Copyright 2007 — Avis Ward, Founder - GeoVi's Home for New Life
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Avis, you know maybe about 10 years ago one of my brothers told me the same thing you state here in your article, about a woman is supposed to get the truth from her husband. I may be wrong Avis but I couldn’t live by any written word, either Biblical, or constituted. Unless it agreed with my own beliefs. You being in the ministry could probably point out to me where I’m wrong believing this way. I’d like to here from you on what you believe about my beliefs. But would you check out another one of my articles first titled “ One of the reasons I believe” you could get back to me on my search warp contact if you like. ...DaveDavid, thank you for your comments. I will write to you as requested. This article was about Women in Ministry. A husband should always tell his wife the truth and likewise, she should speak only the truth to him. Thanks for reading and commenting, David. I'll write soon. Like the new poem!
Great article. There are so many passages of scripture that are taken out of context and misused. Excellent clarification.Steve, thank you for your comments. I appreciate them so very much. I couldn't agree more with your statement about "many passages of scripture that are taken out of context and misused." Happy Sunday!
Avis, Nice article! I have noticed that the most Godly women I know are the ones who not only respect their roles as mothers, daughters and sisters but genuinely enjoy those roles. When a woman seeks the kind of leadership roles that God has given to men, she is really saying that she does not respect the unique gifts and qualities that God has placed within her. Women can serve in ministry but they should be led by the Spirit and allow God to develop them in the vessels, minds and spirits that God gave them, not to mimic what God gave to men. Great article!Joseph, thank you for your comments! My article was clarifying the scriptures about women keeping silent in the church, as you are aware. It further goes to clarify that God gave to men and women equal gifts and calling in the Ministry. It is my belief there are different 'callings' in a family between husband and wife but those differences do not necessarily spill over into Ministry. No one should mimic what God gave to someone else. I have witnessed men in Ministry mimic the style of another male in Ministry. Being designer originals, we should seek to develop the originality each of us possesses. Men and women should be led by the Spirit, as you've said, to allow this to happen. In the secular world where one may mimic another's style of management, when called by God, whether male or female, He equips those who diligently seek after Him. Whereas women are excellent in their roles as mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, they also excel in the Ministry wherein they have been called. And they should because God is in control. The point I'm making is, although women are weaker physically than men, does not mean we are weaker spirtually, than men. Christ in His infinite wisdom knows this and calls men and women into the Ministry. Again, thank you for your feedback.
Excellent article again and thought provoking. Now as a Catholic, I do understand and invite anyone to correct me if wrong, that women did have a preeminent position in the original early church. In fact celibacy was not an issue in the early church either. So now we are back to scripture and interpretation. As you demonstrated in your article there are many verses that can be construed as people see fit, hence the separation of all who believe in the same God, Jesus Christ yet have varied interpretations of His Word. It seems to me that any person who brings you closer to the Lord male or female is doing Gods work. In fact Jesus summed it all up in Love of neighbor and I’ll paraphrase, did not Jesus say that if we follow the law we should keep them all?Robert, thank you for your comments. I agree with this statement from you: "It seems to me that any person who brings you closer to the Lord male or female is doing Gods work." Anytime someone is brought to Christ, Heaven rejoices. I honestly do not think because a man is brought to Christ or closer, as you said, that only the men in Heaven rejoice. I am unable to refrain from injecting my sometimes ridiculous sense of humour in saying that so please laugh with me or forgive me. Why not do both! [laughing] The lost being found and the Good News being spread by those who are actually called to do the will of God is what matters.
Avis, Quite frankly, I get sick and tired of Christians fighting over their interpretations of scripture. What you are doing as a minister of God to help our chidren is admirable and needed. Beliefs may be defined as a preconceived notion about the way things exist. Faith, however, may be defined as an unreserved opening to the truth wherever it may be found. In my opinion, our faith extends beyond to confines of our scriptural interpretations. Was it not Jesus who said, "You seek the scriptures for in them you think that you have found eternal life, but they are that which testify of me!" Keep up the good work and nicely done with your article.James, I get "sick and tired" of it, too. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am humbled by them. It encourages me when authors of your caliber, along with the others, provide words of encouragement. It makes me want to give my personal best in everything I do. I appreciate all comments, so very much.
Hi Avis, obviously it took me awhile to come across this article - I love the way you pulled all the Scriptures together and in context. Wonderful job! From one woman in ministry to another. :-)Better late than never, Teresa! :) Thank you for reading and posting your comments. I graciously accept your comments. Coming from a "real woman in speaking ministry" they mean a lot to me. A bounty of blessing!
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