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ARE WOMEN PREACHERS FORBIDDEN IN THE BIBLE?

Should women preach? Does God call women to be pastors, Evangelists, Bible teachers for mixed classes of men and women?

If we try to settle this question by the wisdom of men, it would never be settled. The prevalent opinion among responsible Christian people is indicated by the fact that most churches never call a woman preacher as pastor. Most seminaries never employ a woman teacher of theology. And relatively very few women find positions of any sort on the faculties of seminaries and the Bible institutes. Most churches have men to conduct evangelistic meetings, if they have such meetings. So the majority opinion would decide for men preachers and against women preachers.

But opinions would vary with the denominations. The followers of Dr. Joyce Meyer, Paula White, Aimee McPherson, and other large Pentecostal and Holiness groups, the volunteers of America who have been led so long by Maud Booth, The Salvation Army where women preachers have always been welcomed, and many others would insist on the right of women to preach, to do work of an evangelist or pastor, or Bible teacher, the same as a man of like commitment.

The matter cannot be settled by opinion. It cannot be settled by observation. It cannot be settled by logic. There is only one place to settle this question of whether God wants a woman to preach or not. That is by the word of God. The Bible is the place to find what god wants people to do. The Bible is to tell us how the Lord's work is to be conducted. There is no other authority of the slightest value in this matter, except as it derives from the bible, and coincides with the Bible teaching. So what does the Bible say about this subject?

Women sometimes say that they feel called to preach. They say sometimes that the Holy Spirit has told them plainly that they should preach. But we must remember that every false doctrine in the world is supported by the same argument.

Some people feel led of God to start unscriptural cults with false doctrines; that is, they honestly believe themselves led of the Spirit of God. But the answer to all this is very simple. the Holy Spirit of God dictated the Bible. Holy men of God spoke as they moved by the Holy Ghost. the Holy Spirit will never contradict His own Word. Any leading that is though to be of the Holy Spirit should be checked by the Bible. Any leading that does not coincide with the plain teaching of the Word of God is false, and is not from God's Spirit. For this reason the Scripture commands us, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1)

This matter, then, cannot be settled by how people feel led except as it coincides with the Bible. No leading is from God if it goes against the plain statements of God's Word. This matter must be settled by the Bible, the supreme rule of faith and practice for Christians.

Let us very carefully consider the Scriptures that bear on this matter. The Bible is the Word of God; no passage of Scripture will contradict any other passage. And since man and woman and God have not changed, we will find that what God intended women to do in Bible times He intends them to do now, also.

Let every reader with prayerful heart ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and then search out in the Scriptures you are given what God has to say about women preaching the gospel.

The Apostle Paul Says "No Woman Is To Teach Or Usurp Authority Over Men."
1 Timothy 2:11-15, says: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."

I want you to notice the universal character of this Scripture. It is in the letter written by Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, addressed to Timothy. Paul had left Timothy at Ephesus to have oversight of the great work in that city, with many elders, as you will see in the first chapter of this book. verse 3 shows that Timothy was to keep any from teaching false doctrines. Verse 4 shows that he was to keep down confusion, and verses 6 and 7 show that he was to set right some who desired "to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm."

It is important to notice in this epistle, the first to Timothy, that we that we have detailed instruction about the qualifications for a bishop (or pastor) and of a deacon (chapter 3). No one can read I Timothy without seeing that it sets forth rules and instructions for all New Testament churches, as delivered to Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, by the Holy Spirit.

So the passage we have read above is for all New Testament Christians Paul said, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection; but I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." The Word of God does not allow any woman preachers or woman teachers, nor any women to have authority over men, in any New Testament churches.

Paul's word was accepted as law throughout the length and breadth of the Roman empire among fundamentally sound Christian people. At Rome, at Corinth, at Ephesus, the great centers, and all between Paul's authority as an apostle of God is recognized. And in no place, Paul says, would he allow a woman to teach or usurp authority over men.

And this rule of Paul is not arbitrary, but fits into the plan of God from the time of the creation. Paul explains that "Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in transgression." God made Adam first. Eve was made second and as his helpmeet, subject to him. For that reason, says Paul, women are not to teach men in the church, are not to be chief officers in the church nor have authority over men. For women to take such authority is not properly and naturally theirs. From the creation, this Scripture says, women are to take the place of subjection, because they were not created to have authority over men to teach men.

And again Paul says that the weakness of a woman and her aptness to be misled is shown because "Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." Satan found he could deceive Eve easier than he could deceive Adam. God made woman after such a fashion that she should be a comfortable helpmeet, a mate who would fit to God's will and plans.  So, in the nature of creation, women were not created for executive authority. Every pastor knows that women are easier to enlist in good work. But careful observers must admit that women are also easier led into false doctrines and into errors of various kinds.

But the argument here in I Timothy 2:14 is that Satan was able to deceive Eve when he could not deceive Adam, and that this is an reason why women should not be placed in authority in churches and in Christian work. If he could deceive Eve easier in the Garden of Eden, he could deceive women easier now. This is not to say that a man cannot be deceived.

But this means that women leaders are more likely to lead into heresy in doctrine and unscriptural practice than men. Women were not created to teach men or usurp authority over men, says this Scripture.

Let us consider carefully verses 11 and 12. The woman is to learn in silence, with all subjection. A woman is not to teach. Certainly not to teach men, but evidently not to teach general groups, including men. A woman is never to have authority over men. And then it is emphasized that a woman is to be "in silence" in such public services.

We know well that God does not want Christian women to remain silent outside the mixed public service. Titus 2:3, 4 plainly commands "the aged women likewise... that they may teach the young women." here we are plainly told that old women may teach young women, and should do so. But they are to to teach them, among other things, to be "obedient to their own husbands" (v.5).

Women are to be in silence, then, as far as teaching the whole church is concerned, or teaching men, or groups including men, but older women may teach younger women. It is clear that a mother may teach her own children, as Timothy's mother and grandmother evidently taught him (II Timothy 1:5).

Proverbs 1:8 commands: "And forsake not the law of thy mother." Proverbs 6:20 says: "My son... forsake not the law of thy mother." Proverbs 30:17 says: "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." A woman may teach other women and may teach children. But none of these cases we have mentioned refers to public teaching as an official of the church, or teaching of large mixed groups. Priscilla helped her husband, Aquila, to teach Apollos the way of the Lord more perfectly. But in this we may be sure that she had the meek spirit of a helpmeet to her husband. She spoke in private conversation, and not as an official teacher or as one having authority.

So when Paul said, "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence," it seems clear to me he is forbidding a woman to take a place as a public teacher of men. A woman is to be silent in the public assembly in the sense that she is not to teach as an official of the church. She particularly is to be silent as far as teaching men is concerned. That is plainly forbidden. No woman, according to this passage, is to be allowed to teach a class of men, or to teach a mixed class including men, nor to teach the church in a public assembly, including men.

It is equally clear that no woman is to take a place as an official of a church, having authority over men. No woman could be pastor of a church, according to this plain verse. To do so would be a usurpation of authority that was forbidden her.

In New Testament churches a woman's place was to be taught, not to teach. A woman's place was to be silent, not to be a public speaker. A woman's place was to be in subjection, and not in authority. Certainly this Scripture forbids any woman to be a preacher or pastor or evangelist.

It is fitting at this place, when God has forbidden a woman to take authority in religious matters, to remind you that pastors do have authority from God. Consider the third chapter of I Timothy, which follows this passage, and its discussion of the office of a Bishop. The word bishop means overseer, and is a New testament word for pastor. Certainly an overseer has authority. This authority is indicated also in I Timothy 3:5 which says: "For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" A man needs to know how to rule to be bishop or overseer or pastor of a church. But a woman is plainly forbidden to rule, so a woman could not be a pastor according to the New Testament plan.

In Hebrews 13:17 we are commanded to "obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves," and he speaks of spiritual rulers that watch over our souls, that is, pastors and Christian leaders. Again in Hebrews 13:24 the author says be inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "Salute all them that have rule over you," manifestly referring to Christian leaders. Pastors and preachers have a real authority from God to rule.

You may have read this article hoping for a different outcome but let's look at the verse one more time: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." (1 Timothy 2:11-15)  I have read a lot of far out ideas and explanations as to why these verses do not mean that a woman cannot be a preacher but there is one thing we must see here to understand why I believe the Bible teaches that it is wrong for a woman to be a pastor/preacher.  God in His Holy Word not only says: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence...." but He also tells us why:  "...For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression...."

Gender and the Church Galatians 3:26-29 & I Corinthians 14:34-35

God has used and wants to use any person who will come to him asking forgiveness and looking for the Spirit's leadership in their lives, regardless of a person's gender or calling in Him. Although tradition, experience, and practice, have often left women excluded in light of certain passages attributed to Paul, he was also one who commended women who served in the church and often relied on them to continue what he had started.

One of the major controversies that separate churches to this day is the role women play in the ministry of the church. Much of the debate comes from Paul's writings and how they are interpreted, which we have already looked at in this lesson. But, for me, this topic has been a challenge.

It's been a challenge in that for a majority of my life, I've been taught to believe that women and men have separate roles within the life of a congregation. I heard it from the time I was a teenager growing up in church. I was taught it while attending Bible School, I have taught it for forty eight years as a pastor. It has become a part of me and I have become a part of it.

I began to study the role gender plays in ministry. I turned to Paul's writings, and I found some interesting things that I want to share with you in this lesson. I admit that I am not the final authority on the subject.  It seems that people who know very little about the Bible have heard about Paul. He was undoubtedly the greatest evangelist in New Testament times. Without his passion for the Gospel, the New Testament church might not have gotten very far.

1. A little background…

Before we get to Paul's letters, I want to take you back to Genesis. I found something here that just reached up and bit me. Look at Genesis 1:26-28… "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

Notice the pronouns…. "and let them have dominion" … "male and female created he them."  "And God blessed them, and God said unto them," From the very beginning, God knew that mankind would not be complete unless both male and female were a part of it.

In fact, since mankind was made in the very image of God: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:..." then doesn't it make sense to say that God too could have masculine and feminine traits? Could this be what Jesus expressed when he prayed over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 when he compared God's love for that city: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

Within God's own nature, we find both genders represented. I believe that's why God, when asked by Moses to reveal his name, said simply, "I AM WHO I AM." (Exodus 3:14). Doing so not be vague or evasive, but simply to say that "I am all that I created, I am all that you see, hear, and do, I am all that you know or will ever know, I am unique."

II. Paul vs. Paul…

How does this lead up to speaking of gender in the church? Well, if we find that God, within his own nature has both sets of traits, then it becomes more difficult to lift one gender up above another.

But yet, there are those Scriptures that are often quoted about the role of the woman in the church. I 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."      I Timothy 2:12, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

I believe in God's Word, and I believe that in it, is everything necessary for a full and complete life in relationship with Christ. 

On one hand, we have those who say, "well if the Bible says to do it, then we ought to do it." To you, I would reply…"Really" Five times, Paul and Peter tell Christians to "Greet one another with holy kisses." Done any kissing in church lately?  The point I'm trying to make here is that the clothes we wear, our hairstyle, the kind of house we live in, the books we read, everything in our lives is directly affected by the culture in which we live. The same was true in Bible times.

III. Women in ministry appreciated by Paul …

Let's take a quick tour of some these women…

Lydia - In Acts 16:13-15; "And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us."

Paul went into Philippi looking for a synagogue. When he couldn't find one, he heard of some women (note: no men to be found here, also note where they were meeting) regularly meeting on the shore to pray. So he went to them and shared with theses ladies…and so began the first house church in Europe!!! There's no doubt that Lydia was instrumental in started what is now known as the Philippian church.

Phoebe – In Romans 16:1-2 "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That 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."

Here Paul sends Phoebe to serve in the church at Rome. She was already a deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, and Paul commended her as "a sister, a servant, and a great help to many people." In fact, Paul said she should treated in a way "worthy of the saints."

Priscilla – In Romans 16:3; "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:" – Priscilla and her husband sailed with Paul back in Acts 18 (verses 1-2, 18,26). It was Priscilla and her husband who led the church in Ephesus, and who were responsible for teaching the Gospel to Apollos. There is no doubt here that Priscilla assisted her husband in the ministry but it does not state that she was ever a pastor or even his assistant. My wife Betty served with me for forty eight years but she never preached a sermon, and she never taught a man's Sunday School Class.

Euodia (yodia) and Syntyche (sign-tich) – In Philippians 4:2-3; "I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life."

– Here we see references of those two women who have been "loyal yoke-fellows…contending at Paul's side in the cause of the gospel." However there is no mentioning of their having any authority or preaching or teaching in the church.

Junia or Junias – Romans 16:7; "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." – Here Paul commends this person who was a "fellow prisoner for the Gospel." In the orginial Greek, this was a woman's name. Paul said that she was "of note (outstanding) among the apostles" which probably meant that the apostles knew of her service Paul commended her service.

And in I Timothy, we hear of Lois and Eunice, who are the Christian grandmother and mother of Timothy respectively.

In John 1, we hear of a Samaritan woman, who witnessed to her community for Christ? And there are other women throughout the Bible in positions of service, In fact, the baby Jesus was brought to the prophet Anna in the temple to be blessed.

Conclusion

After much deliberation and study on my part, I feel that it is a fair conclusion that the testimony found in the bulk of Scripture, including the Pauline texts, speak plainly that women are not to be pastors or teachers or have authority over man and in the church,  but I also believe that every women is able to fulfill any other ministry that the Holy Spirit would lead them to perform which are numerous.

Let me say that it was not my intent to start a debate although I'll stand for what I've said because I believe it to be true and it is what the Bible says. God has used and wants to use any person who will come to him asking forgiveness and looking for the Spirit's leadership in their lives, regardless of a person's gender or calling in Him.

Hear these words from the prophet Joel, fulfilled at Pentecost, and as we draw closer to Christ's return, we can expect it to be fulfilled even more fully… "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:" –(Acts 2:17-18)