Expert: William Radvansky - 2/10/2009

Question
I may ask this question to multiple people because I really want to know. Can women be preachers, teachers or leaders in the church?

Answer
Hi Harrison,
Thank you so much for using AllExperts.com and for allowing me to answer you. Let me state up front that I believe that scripture gives clear teaching on the matter of leadership in the church. The Bible speaks too clearly on this subject for there to be any confusion. God loves women as much as He does men. Women are as important to the home, church, and society as men are. In Jesus Christ, women enjoy the same spiritual position and blessings before God as men do. This does not mean, though, there is to be no difference in men and women in their roles. There is a basic truth which needs to be restated in the church and society today: Men and women are different.

Men and women were made for different roles. The New Testament affirms that men are to be the leaders in the home and church. Women were not created to rule these divine institutions; men were. In the church, according to the Bible, no woman is qualified to be a pastor or a deacon or in any other leadership position over men. Here are two scriptures that are abundantly clear.
"Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. But I do not allow 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" (1 Tim. 2:11-14).

"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 says the law. 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. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:34-37).
How could a woman be a pastor when she is forbidden to teach or to have any authority over men? Further, the Lord Jesus Christ appointed no female apostles. All of them were men. The standards for pastors apply strictly to men. Only a man can be the “husband of one wife” and can “rule his own house well” (1 Tim. 3:2,4; Titus 1:6).I have heard some say that these commands were meant only for first century Christians, or were only for the particular situation at Corinth. This cannot be true for many reasons.
First, Paul said that his instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 are the commandments of the Lord (verse 37). As such they must be obeyed by all Christians and by every church.
Second, the Apostle said that the instructions of 1 Corinthians 14 are a test of spirituality. He said that those who are truly spiritual must acknowledge that the instructions are the very commandments of God.
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37).

Third, in 1 Timothy Paul gives the very same instructions concerning women, and this epistle was said to have been written to teach the proper order for churches in general.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).
The things contained in 1 Timothy are general instructions about church order to be obeyed by all churches in every century; and it is in this book, the book which contains standards for church leaders, that God has forbidden women from taking authority over or teaching men. Fourth, in giving the instructions about women in the church, the Holy Spirit referred back to the original order of creation--Adam first, then Eve. The Holy Spirit, in guiding Paul’s pen, used this order of creation to prove that women must not take authority over men. Therefore, since the order of creation has not changed since 1 Timothy was written, the instructions of the New Testament about the woman’s role in the church apply to us today.
Fifth, Paul referred to the fall for support of his teaching regarding the Christian woman’s subjection to the man.
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression (1 Tim. 2:14).
Again this shows that the Biblical teaching about the woman transcends any one culture or generation. Though we have been saved from the eternal consequences of the fall when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ, we are still living under the consequences of the fall as long as we remain in this world. The woman who trusts Christ receives eternal freedom in Him from the wages of sin, but she is not yet free from some of the consequences of Eve’s rebellion in the Garden of Eden. She still is to be in subjection to the man.
Finally, Paul commanded that his instructions were to be kept until Christ’s coming.
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 6:14).
This command is given at the end of the epistle in which the Apostle had so clearly required that women be in subjection to men in the church (1 Tim. 2:9-15). Since Jesus has not yet appeared, we are to continue to maintain these restrictions.

I would be foolish to deny the fact that, in many churches, women are taking leadership positions because men have failed to function in the roles that God has given them. When men are weak, women must be strong. Men should willingly step forward to lead the church in every area, but often the men are weak and lazy. They don’t give, they don’t go soul winning, they don’t volunteer to fill vacant positions, they don’t come out on work days. Someone has to lead, so the women step in and take control. Christian men should respond to the call to ministry that God has specifically given them, but few do. A great number of Christian men are too weak, or lazy, or fearful, or busy with selfish plans to be concerned about the work of God. So the women do what they can. When men are strong and obedient to God’s commands, there is not a controversy regarding the role of women.
The question arises, Why does blessing appear to be upon the ministries of some women who preach and teach to men? God is not bound by His own restrictive principles so that He cannot bless where there is non-compliance, but the servant must remember that
If a man strive for the mastery he is not crowned unless he strive lawfully (2 Tim. 2:5).
God often blesses the ministry of His Word in spite of the errors of the minister. If that were not true, no ministry would have Gods favor. So while a ministry seems to prosper under it’s leadership, the minister (whether it be man or woman) will only receive personal reward for the labor in as much as it was done according to the Word of God (1 Cor. 3:6-15). I only hope that in this discussion, or in any other Biblical discussion, we would agree to let the Word of God be the final authority. I like what Paul wrote:
     Galatians 4:30- Nevertheless, what saith the scripture?
I hope that this helps you.  Bill