The debate surrounding the role of a woman in the Church is a topic that is becoming more and more popular in Christian circles. However, it also becoming more and more aggressive, as both sides try and one up each other with claims of discrimination and equality. What we need to do though is go back to what Scripture says. The only authority on the things of God.

 

As usual, the Bible seems to be very black and white when it comes to the role of a woman in the Church. However there are many points that can be raised against the seemingly concrete claims of the passages here. We shall examine each of the most commonly made claims.

Before we start though, it is very important to recognise that this is not a debate about men vs woman. It is about the different roles that have within the church.

 

Some people will comment that because women, at the time this epistle was written, weren’t educated to the same standard as men, and some weren't educated at all, Paul is saying here they shouldn't teach because they wouldn't have been able to have the same level of knowledge as men.

 

 

The qualifications of being an elder (a position of authority in the church) later in Timothy never mention anything about being educated. Education was something that wasn’t really relevant to the Lord when choosing his disciples. Peter was a fisherman. A hard working, tough job, but not one that, back then, needed a high education. Even today in our university centred society, you still don’t need a degree for these sorts of jobs. Education is not a relevant part of being a teacher. It is God's gift. If we try and add anything in of ourselves we run the risk of being removed from God's work. Paul is not saying that women shouldn't teach because they are uneducated, rather he is saying that are much better in certain areas than men can ever possibly ever hope to be and should concentrate their expertise on these areas. 

 

 

Some people also say that maybe Paul was writing specifically to the church in Ephesus or Corinth, or the congregation under Timothy.  

But taking a part of the Bible and only applying to one local church, in one particular moment of time, makes you wonder why it would be included in the Bible at all. Surely all the Bible is there for our instruction? (Timothy 3:16) Or is that verse just in for one group of people as well? It becomes very dangerous when we try and pick and mix the Bible. There are obviously some parts of scripture, particular in the Old Testament that clearly have no place in Christianity  This is not one of those things. Paul is talking to the whole of the assembly, and making it clear that women should not hold a position of authority over a man.

 

 

Another objection is that there were plenty of women in authoritative roles in Old Testament. For example, Deborah.

However, quite simply the principle that governed the Old Testament have no bearing on New Testament living. 

We actually have a new and living way. Christianity left behind its Jewish roots, and has superseded it in every way. Just because women were in a position then, does not translate to a position now.

There are many Old Testament ideas that no one in their right mind would bring into Christianity, why bring this?

 

Pricilla, they say, was in a position of authority of Apollos when he wasn't clear on some basic truths.

Well, maybe so, but simply Pricilla was at home (Acts 18:26) this is talking about the assembly. In the home women can ask questions, pray, and do whatever else. Although she would still need to be careful not usurp the position of authority her husband has over her. For example, saying thank you for the food at dinner time, would in normal circumstances be the job of the husband as giving thanks on behalf of his household. 

 

Another female character often quotes is that of Phoebe. Phoebe is called a “deacon" in Romans 16:1, however, a nothing is said of a deacon teaching. “Able to teach” is given as a qualification for elders, but not for deacons (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:6–9) Deacons were an important part of the church, and they had a wide range of roles, but teaching was not necessarily one of them. For example, a deacons roles would have included many of the things that come more naturally to a woman than a man. Many women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching, evangelism, and helps. Much of the ministry of the local church depends on women. 

 

 

 

 

This is not saying that men are better than women. Rather it is saying that women are better at some things than men and vice versa.

 

The key to the assembly is diversity. There are some many gifts and experiences that God can, has and will use. The trouble is, we have, for some reason, thought that teaching is the highest form of gift. This is what we should all strive after, and if we can say we can explain the scriptures then we have really reached the pinnacle of our Christian pathway. But the Bible says no such thing. Teaching isn't any more of an important gift than being able to look after people, or being able to be really approachable when giving a testimony in the street. 

 

Modern Christianity has sought to place women on the same level as man, without realising that in the eyes of God, they are already equal! Of course a husband will always be in authority of a wife, as a man should be in authority of a woman in the church, but in terms of our blessings, and gifts we are viewed as the same. Just because I am a man does not make me a better Christian. I come into the Church in the same manner as a woman (saved by the same grace), and once there, in terms of potential appreciation of God and his things, we are the same as well. 

 

With more and more women wanting to become teachers, there will soon be a large vacuum of empty space in the church. God gave different roles so that all the bases could be covered. Soon, the church will have a lot of teachers, but will be sadly lacking in the practical displays of Christian love and generosity, that women have traditionally been so fantastic at providing.

 

But what happens if you are a woman, who has been given a gift of teaching. What do you do? Ignore that gift? No, God has given you it for a reason. There are many avenues available to a women, without having to go against Paul’s teaching. Sundays school, or youth groups are one way to be able to teach, as any woman leading these will not be in a position of authority over a man, rather she will be over children. All women meetings or gatherings are also a great way for women to get together to discuss the things of God. God would not give a gift and expect a woman to go against his word. It has been given for a reason, you need to find you place to exercise that gift.

 

Ultimately the picture God is painting in the church, represents the picture painted so perfectly by the Lord Jesus and His Bride. Christ loved the church, Christ is head over the Church. As men in the Church we should be striving to be like Christ, and as women we should want to be in subjection, as the bride is to her Husband.

 

On the balance of Scripture, it is clear to see that men and women have different God appointed roles, not one is better than the other, but they are incomparable different.

 

God set up His church in the way He wanted it. We have no right to change that.  

 

It of course can become difficult to define what exactly Paul means when he says silent 'in the assembly" The Bible also says that when a woman prays or gives a prophetic word that she should have her head covered. Some would take this to mean that it is then clear that women can talk in the assembly. But God's work will never contradict itself. You have to take the balance of scripture into consideration.  Would God really say that women must be silent in the Church and then later say that actually its ok as long as her head is covered? God is not the God of disorder but a God of order. His word never changes. 

 

 

Women are not in the assembly though as passive passengers, they should be taking a very active role, worshipping in an inward way. In fact, it is the woman's responsibility to direct (under the spirit) the worship just as much as the men!  

When a local Church is working as it should do, the men should be giving voice to the desire and the responses of the women. Maybe, a women has a particular thought or is thinking of a particular hymn or song. It would be the man's responsibility to be in tune (through the leading of the Spirit) with that thought and give voice to it.