Introduction

I. I have absolutely nothing against women.

II. We should never underestimate the valuable role that women play in every area of life.

A. They are invaluable to society, to schools, to homes, and especially to the church.

B. When God created Adam, He gave him the greatest gift of the day; He gave him Eve to be his help meet.

III. From the very beginning God determined the role of women.

(Eph 3:10-11 NKJV) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, {11} according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

IV. There are 3 keys to understanding the role of women in the church.

A. Authority (Col 3:17; Mat 21:23-27; 28:18) [Christ authorizes what can be done (commandments, examples, implications)].

1. We all have restrictions.

a. Jesus (Jn 6:38).

b. Men (1 Cor 14:37; 1 Pet 4:11).

(2 Pet 1:20-21 KJV) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. {21} For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

c. Women (1 Cor 14:34-35).

(1) The women (prophets' wives) were to keep silent in the church (public worship).

(a) "Silent" means "to hold one's peace, to stop speaking" (cf. vs. 30).

(b) "Speak" means "to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter." (Vines).

(c) "To be submissive" means "to be in subjection" (cf. vs. 32).

i) "As the law says."

(Gen 3:16 NKJV) To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."

2. We are not inferior to one another.

a. We are all created in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27).

b. We are to all worship God (Jn 4:24).

c. We are all saved alike (Gal 3:27-29).

B. Creation.

1. The order of creation reflects our God-given role (1 Tim 2:8-13).

a. Men are to be to the leaders in the church.

b. Women are to be in subjection in the church.

(1) In vs. 1, Paul exhorted that prayers be made for all men (anthopos).

(2) In vs. 4, Paul gives the purpose for these prayers-salvation of "all men" (anthropos).

(a) God is no respecter of persons.

(Acts 10:34 NKJV) Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

(3) In vs.5, Paul says there is "one God, & one mediator between God & man (anthropos), the man Jesus Christ."

(4) In vs. 8, Paul gives instructions for public worship - "I will therefore that men (aner) pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath & doubting."

(5) In vs. 11, Paul teaches that the "woman (gune) is to learn in scilence with all subjection."

(a) "Silence" means "in quietness, peaceable, causing no disturbance, not taking the rule."

(6) In vs. 12, Paul tells how women are to "learn in silence with all subjection."

(a) "I suffer not a woman to teach over the man."

i) "Teach" means "to give instruction, to teach doctrine."

(b) "I suffer not a woman, to usurp authority over the man."

i) "Usurp or exercise authority" means "one who acts on his own authority, to have dominion or power."

a) "Silence" must be kept in context.

C. Sin (1 Tim 1:14-15).

V. Women are to fulfill their God-given role in the church.

Discussion

I. WHAT WOMEN MAY NOT DO IN THE CHURCH.

A. Women may not be preachers (1 Cor 14:34ff; 1 Tim 2:8ff).

1. The word "preacher" is never used of a woman.

2. Women are preaching without divine authority.

3. Women preachers are presumptuously going beyond God's instructions (2 Jn 9).

B. Women may not be elders (1 Tim 3:1-2).

C. Women may not be deacons (1 Tim 3:12).

D. Women may not lead a public prayer, song, serve communion, or collect the offering in a mixed assembly.

II. WHAT WOMEN MAY DO IN THE CHURCH.

A. Women may evangelize.

1. Women may teach men in the right situation.

(Acts 18:24-26 NKJV) Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. {25} This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. {26} So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

2. Women may teach other women.

3. Women may teach children.

(Titus 2:3-5 NKJV) the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; {4} that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, {5} to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

B. Women may be benevolent.

(Acts 9:36 NKJV) At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.

C. Women may be encouragers.

1. Promote unity.

(Eph 4:1-3 NKJV) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, {2} with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, {3} endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

2. Encourage spiritual growth.

3. Show Christian love (Mark 14:3-9).

Conclusion

I. The Bible teaches that we are all one in Christ.

II. The Bible does not teach that men are smarter, better, more dedicated, or superior to women.

III. The Bible does teach that there are different responsibilities and different works in the church.

A. We both have God-given responsibilities and limitations.

IV. Let us never argue with God about what we can't do, but let us agree to do what we can do.

** If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/