In the 70s we had a “revolution” take place when women began to be given leadership positions in major companies. Women proved they are just as smart, can produce just as much as men and therefore have the ability to lead men and women in the business world. They have had to fight hard to get equal pay for equal work.
During that time frame, especially in the religious circles, one often heard, “From Adam’s Rib to Women’s Lib.” Women’s roles in church leadership also became an issue because what goes through the world, goes through the church. Many denominations began promoting women to leadership positions such as ministers, priest, elders, as well as taking part in leadership positions in public worship. The churches of Christ were not exempt from these innovations.
Man-made denominations can do as they wish because they were formed by men and developed their own rules and regulations. But, churches who believe the Bible is the only authority for religious practices and moral lives asked, “What does the Bible say on this subject.”
God’s Authority
Even though it goes against the thinking of many in religious circles, God has always wanted men to be the leaders in the home and in the spiritual realm. God does not condemn women leadership in any area outside the home and “church.” Evidence that shows male leadership, especially in the church will be given below. Why God wanted men to be the leaders in these areas, He did not say. No matter what His reason, He has legislated in those areas.
He did not create that arrangement because women are inferior in any way to men. Women are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), just as men are. Many women know as much about the Bible as do many men. Many women are as good at communicating as are many men, and often better. It is my personal view that in general, women are more spiritual than most men.
Roles
In any organization, different people have different roles. One’s “role” may not have to do with the greatness of one’s ability or one’s worthiness; a “role” is simply an area where one is assigned to work. In the Bible, preachers do not have the same role as those who are the elders of the church. They may have the ability to do what the elders do, but that is not his “role.” That doesn’t mean that the preacher is inferior to elders. In the church deacons have different roles than the elders or preacher. That doesn’t mean that deacons are inferior to elders or preacher. It just means that he has different jobs to perform.
According to God’s word, in the church, men are given some jobs to perform, and women are given other jobs to fulfill. Because these jobs differ does not mean that one is inferior to the other or that the opposite sex could not do the other’s job. This is just the job God assigned each sex.
Limitations in the Roles of Women
Despite what the world or denominational churches say, when speaking about the role of women in public worship God says, “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says” (I Corinthians 14:34). In chapters 11 – 14 in I Corinthians, instructions are given about what is to occur in the public worship assemblies. The Greek word for “silent” used in this verse means she is not to speak at all in terms of leading the congregation.
Another passage which gives instructions from God about the role of women in the church is I Timothy 2:8-15. This context is about conduct when men and women are gathered for spiritual activities which is not limited to the assembly of the group when they worship. Christians are not always worshipping when they assemble. They may simply be gathering to study the Bible. A Bible class is not a worship assembly. These are times when Christians are gathered for instruction, not to praise God in worship. Just as God gave instructions about women’s role in worship assemblies, God also gave instructions to men and women when they gather for spiritual assemblies which are not worship assemblies.
Verse eight says, “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” In the Greek language there are two words that can be translated “men.” One is the broad word that can include men and women. The other word, which is used here, means males and males alone. In other words when this Greek word is said about men leading prayer, it excludes women from having authority from God to lead prayer where men and women are gathered for spiritual assemblies. When that word is used women are excluded. The basic principle is that God wants men to be spiritual leaders and part of that leadership is manifested in that when men and women are gathered in a public meeting, men are supposed to lead the prayers.
Paul, being guided by the Holy Spirit, gave further commands with regard to the role of women. He said about these public assemblies, “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness” (v. 11). According to the New American Standard Bible I Corinthians 14:34 uses the English word “silent” and I Timothy 2:11 uses the word “quietly.” The translators are trying to show us that there is a difference in the Greek words that are used. The Greek word used in I Timothy 2:11 does not forbid a woman from speaking, but when she speaks, she must do so with a submissive attitude.
Again, the Holy Spirit put a limitation on what a woman can do, even in a spiritual meeting where men and women are present. The text says, “But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet” (v. 12). The passage does not say that a woman cannot teach a man. Since the Greek word for “quiet” or “quietly” means that she can speak, she may say something that a man or men did not know. If that happens, she taught him.
The passage says that she cannot be “the teacher” over a man. The position of being a teacher implied leadership over everyone in the class, including men. That is forbidden. God does not give her authority to be “the teacher” over men but she can teach a man by what she says during the class.
The Greek word for “quiet” found in verses 11 & 12 is also found in I Timothy 2:2 where Paul said that we are to pray for governing officials to governor in such a way that we can live a “quiet” life. He didn’t mean that Christians cannot say anything to the government or about the government. We can speak to and about the government, but it must be with a submissive attitude. The same is true when woman are given permission to speak in a spiritual meeting that is not a worship service.
Binding Where God Has Not Bound
There are people who say that women cannot even speak in a Bible class, even if it is not a worship service. That is binding a law that God did not bind. The fact that there are two different Greek words used in I Corinthians 14:34 and I Timothy 2:11-12 show that there are different rules for different kinds of assembles. It is just as sinful to bind a law that God did not bind as it is to break a law God did bind.
Conclusion
Women: To Speak or Not to Speak is answered according to what kind of assembly she is in. In the worship assembly, she cannot speak; In other spiritual gatherings she can speak but cannot be in charge of the class.
Wayne Burger