Women’s Work in the Church                                                                                 

By

Shelby G. Floyd

January 18, 2007

 

 

 

 

Since some people today are teaching that women may lead in prayer when Christian men are present, and teach a class when men are present, it is necessary to make a thorough study of what the Bible teaches in regard to the woman’s work in relationship to the man. From the beginning of creation, God has taught concern­ing the proper role of the woman in relationship to the man.

 

THE PROPER ROLE OF THE WOMAN

 

In the beginning God first created man, and then he made the woman to be the helper for the man. “The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2: 18.) The helper which God made for man shared his nature, and was a compliment to the man in every way. After God had presented the woman to the man, Adam said,                        

 

This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called 'woman,’

for she was taken out of man.

(Genesis 2: 23.)

 

The very name woman honors the man every time it is pronounced or written. This is true in almost every language.

 

After both Adam and Eve sinned, and lost their state of innocence, God said to the woman,


I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing;
with pain you will give birth to children.

Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.

(Genesis 3: 16.)

 

One of the consequences of Eve’s sin and disobedience was that her husband would rule over her. This conse­quence is still shared by all the daughters of Eve. The headship of man is taught explicitly in both the Old and New Testaments.

 

Writing about 65 A.D., the apostle Peter addressed some of his remarks to the women who were members of the church of Christ. He said,

 

“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,…For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Pet. 3:1, 5-7.)

 

Therefore from this summation, we may safely draw the conclusion that the proper role of the woman in relationship to the man is one of submission and subjection. Still, there are many things which the woman may do and be pleasing to God.

 

THINGS WOMEN MAY DO IN THE CHURCH

 

Generally, there are two extreme views concerning the woman’s work and role in the church. Some people would place no limitations upon the work of women in the church; while on the other hand, there are some who would penalize the woman and say that she has nothing to do in the work of the church. According to the teaching of the Bible, both of these positions are false. Women defi­nitely have a place in the work of the church.

 

She May Be a Servant of the Church

 

Let us note some of the things which the woman is Biblically authorized to do in the work of the church. First, a woman may be a servant of the church like Phoebe was at Cenchrea. Paul said,

 

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” (Romans 16:1-2.)

 

Phoebe was a servant of the church, but we may be sure that in her service to the church she never usurped authority over the man, nor sought to teach over the man, by taking a leading part in the public worship services of the church. This would not have been in keeping with God’s instruct­ions concerning the role of the woman.

 

She May Help Preachers

 

Secondly, a woman who is a member of the church may help preachers of the gospel like Priscilla helped the apostle Paul in his ministry of the word. For Paul sa­luted both Priscilla and Aquila as his helpers in Jesus Christ. “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles (Romans 16: 3-4.)

 

She May Labor With Men in the Gospel

 

Third, a Christian woman may la­bor with men in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he had these words concern­ing the women who had helped him in the gospel: “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” (Philippians 4:3.)

 

She May Follow Every Good Work

 

Fourth, a Christian woman may also diligently follow every good work, for Paul mentions this as one of the qualifications of Christian women for certain works in the church. (1 Timothy 5:10.)

 

She May Learn in Subjection

 

Fifth, a Christian woman may learn and increase her knowledge in silence and all subjection. (1 Timothy 2:11.)

 

She May Pray To God

 

Sixth, a Christian woman may pray to God. For instance, Paul and Silas on the second missionary journey encountered Lydia and certain women out by the river side near the city of Philippi, a place where prayer was offered up to God. (Acts 16: 13.) In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, the Christian woman is instructed in the manner in which she may pray. (1 Corinthians 11: 5, 13.)  But this does not mean that she may lead a prayer while Christian men are present; there is a difference.

 

She May Teach

 

In the last place, a Christian woman may also pro­phesy or teach, for that is the meaning of the word. (Acts 21: 9; 1Corinthians 11:1.) Christian women are to be: “…teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2: 3-5.)

 

RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON WOMEN

 

While the Bible authorizes the woman to do all of these works, it does not follow that she is unbounded in authority, or without any limitations, in doing these works. The Bible does place certain restrictions upon the woman in the work that she is allowed to do in the church. In reference to women teaching in the church, Paul wrote Timothy, “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.” (1 Timothy 2:11-12.)

 

She May Not Teach nor Usurp Authority Over the Man

 

Christian women are allowed to do many things in the work of the church, but they are restricted from teaching or usurping authority over the man. Paul’s instructions to Timothy are very clear along this line. He stated: “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12.) This does not mean that a woman can­not teach at all, for she is commanded to teach under certain conditions. For instance, Paul instructed Titus that the aged women were to be, “…teachers of good things.” (Titus 2: 3.) He further instructed Titus, “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be dis­creet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4-5.) But the context of this statement bears out the fact that the women were to teach other women and not be up teaching over the man, this being strictly forbidden in 1 Timothy 2: 12.

 

When Paul restricted the authority of the woman saying, “I suffer not a woman…to usurp authority over the man,” he did not mean that the woman could never hold any position of authority, for she is taught by the word of God to exercise some authority. For instance, Paul said, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” (1 Timothy 5:14.) The woman here is instructed to guide the house, which would involve a certain amount of author­ity; but it is understood that in guiding the house, she is not to usurp her authority over the man. Her authority is to be within the framework of the author­ity of man, who is the head of the home and the wife. Therefore, a woman may teach and she may hold authority, but she may not teach nor may she hold authority over the man.

 

Biblical Examples of the Role of Women

 

Let us notice some examples, both in the Old and the New Testaments, concerning women who taught and who held authority. For instance, the Old Testament scrip­tures state that Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, Miriam, was a prophetess. (Exodus 15: 20.) When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, he later stated through his prophet Micah, that he had done this by sending before them Moses, Aaron and Miriam. (Micah 6: 4.) There­fore, Miriam was a teacher of God, and a helper to Moses and Aaron; but Miriam was never allowed to usurp authority over Moses and Aaron, she was never allowed to teach over Moses and Aaron, for the law forbade this.

 

We have an instance of this when both Miriam and Aaron spoke against the leader of God’s people and their own brother, Moses. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because he had married an Ethiopian woman. Because Moses had displeased them, they both spoke against Moses. They said, “...Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not also spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.” (Numbers 12: 2.) God came down and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and called forth Moses, Aaron and Miriam, and said,

 

“Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak a­gainst my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12: 6-8.)

 

Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Aaron and Miriam for their usurping authority over Moses; and God caused Miriam to become leprous, even white as snow. Both Aaron and Miriam besought the Lord not to lay the sin upon them. Had it not been for their confession of sin, and had it not been for the prayer that Moses made to God, doubtless, she would never have been heal­ed. This example strongly indicates that God has never allowed the woman to usurp authority over the man.

 

God’s Spirit Would Be Poured out on His Handmaids

 

Many years before Christ, and the establishment of the church, the prophet Joel stated that in the last days God would pour out of his spirit upon the handmaids, and he stated that the daughters of his people would prophesy. (Joel 2: 28-29.) This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost and thereafter during the age of miraculous gifts. Some of the daughters of the Jews did prophesy and the Spirit of God was poured out on some of the Jewish handmaids; but this does not imply that they prophesied over the man, nor does it mean that because they had God’s Spirit that they could usurp authority over the man, for this they never did.

 

Anna the Prophetess

 

In connection with the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, we read of a woman by the name of Anna, who was a prophetess of great age, and she also prayed; but the scriptures do not state that she prayed or prophesied over the man, for the law did not allow this. But we do read that she prophesied and prayed. “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, The daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2: 36-38.)

 

Philip’s Four Daughters Prophesied

 

           On Paul’s third missionary tour, he and his company came to Caesarea, and Luke says: “…we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy,” (Acts 21: 8-9.) Therefore, the four daughters of Philip who prophesied was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. (Joel 2: 28-29.) While the scriptures state that the four daughters did prophesy, there is nothing in the context to indicate that they prophesied or taught over men.  In fact, when it was time for God to reveal to Paul the fortunes that awaited him at Jerusalem in con­nection with the Jewish opposition; God revealed this to Paul, not through the four daughters of Philip, but by a prophet named Agabus. Agabus prophesied to Paul, and not the four daughters of Philip, for they would have been prophesying or teaching over the man which is not sanctioned in the word of God.

 

Let the members of the church of Christ today be content with the teaching of Christ and his inspired apostles on this subject. No one wishes to take away any thing from the work of women which is scriptural and allowed. However, neither do we intend to allow false teachers to advance ideas which are strictly forbidden in the word of God. We must teach the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We must be set for the defense of the gospel. We must contend earnestly for the faith which bath been once delivered to the saints. This we intend to do.

 

THE ROLE OF WOMEN PRAYING IN THE CHURCH

 

Some in the church today are advancing the idea that Christian women may lead in prayer when Christian men are present. They have tried to uphold this idea by several methods. Some have said that if the husband or the elders authorize the woman to do this, she is not out of place, but is in subjection to man. Others have stated that as long as a woman does this in small private gatherings, she is not out of place. This idea especially has been advocated in certain places when young people are brought together. It is a dangerous idea, and deserves a close study from the word of God. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he stated:

 

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2: 8.)

 

We notice in this verse that Paul specified that men are to pray every where, which of course excludes the woman. This does not mean that women cannot pray, but it means that they cannot lead in prayer for this is reserved for the man alone.

 

Some would object and say that the word men in 1 Timothy 2: 8, refers to mankind generally which would in­clude women as well as men. It is true that in 1 Timothy 2: 1, 4, 5, the words men and man are translated from anthropos, a term which means mankind and would include the male and the female. But when Paul instructed Timothy concerning leading in prayers, he did not use the word which includes both the male and the female, but be used the specific word aner which means a male in contrast to a female. Therefore, only men may lead in prayers; but some have said that this is only true in a public worship service in the church building, but Paul did not so restrict it. He said that men are to pray every where. This would include home gatherings, private devotionals where women are present or any other situation.

 

Men Are To Lift Up Holy Hands in Prayer

 

           No, the woman may not lead in prayer when there are Christian men present. When the men lead prayers in every place, they are to do so by lifting up holy hands. In ancient times, men often led prayers by lift­ing up their hands toward heaven. For instance, we read: “And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven.” (1 Kings 8: 22.) David stated: “Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.” (Palsms 28: 2.) But men do not lift up holy hands in prayer if their lives are corrupt. God said through his prophet Isaiah to Israel, “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yes, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:15.)

 

Furthermore, when the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, they are to do so without wrath or disputing.  God does not hear the prayers of those who turn away their ears from his law. Solomon said, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law even his prayer shall be abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9.) David said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalms 66: 18.) Therefore, men and not women are to lead the prayers in every place when men and women are present. They are to do so by lifting up holy hands, and they are to pray without wrath and disputing.

 

Instructions about Women’s Adornment

 

Next, Paul gives Timothy certain instructions con­cerning the conduct of Christian women. He says, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” (1 Timothy 2: 9-10.) Let us notice the several ways in which Christian women are to adorn themselves.

 

Modest Apparel

 

First, they are commanded to adorn themselves in modest apparel. The word modest comes from the word kosmios and is defined by Thayer as, “well arranged, seemly, modest.” (Thayer, p. 336.) The word apparel translates the term katastole which properly means a lowering or a letting down, but it is used in this passage as, “a garment let down, dress, attire.” (Thayer, p. 336.) Therefore, Christian women are to adorn themselves in apparel or garments that are well arranged, modest and seemly.

 

A Sense of Modesty

 

Secondly, Christian women are to be adorned with shamefacedness. Shamefacedness is from the term aidos and has always meant, “A sense of shame or modesty. (Thayer, p. 14.) It means that Christian women should have a sense of shame if they are not seemly and modestly adorned.

 

A Sense of Self-control

 

In the third place, Christian women are to be adorned in sobriety which comes from the word sophrosune and means, “a sense of self-control, soundness of mind and sobriety.” (Thayer, p. 613.)

 

Not With Costly Apparel

 

We notice negatively that Christian women are not to emphasize their adornment in the area of braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. It does not mean that they can never wear any of these items, but it means that this is not to be the emphasis of their apparel and adornment. But they are rather instructed to adorn themselves as that which becomes women professing godliness even with good works. (1 Timothy 2: 10.) Women are to adorn themselves then in dignified restraint and self-control; this becomes women of godliness.

 

No, Christian women may not lead in prayer when Christian men are present; but, they may be in subjection to their husbands, and they may win many people to Christ by the manner of their life. Peter instructed Christian women concerning their adornment and subject­ion to their husbands saying: “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, They also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear, ‘Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of ap­parel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,  which is in the sight of God or great price.” (1 Peter 3: 1-4.)

 

            In our study of 1 Tim. 2: 8-14, Paul assigned two reasons why the woman was not to teach nor usurp author­ity over the man:

 

(1) “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.” (1 Timothy 2:13.) In the order of creation man was made first, and then the woman was made to be the proper helper of the man (Genesis 2:18.)

 

(2) “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the trans­gression.” (1 Timothy 2: l4.)  Eve, not Adam, was beguiled by the subtlety of the devil. (2 Corinthians 11: 3.) Because the woman was deceived, God said, “Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” (Genesis 3:16.)  Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved Shelby Floyd