Women's Place in Spiritual Leadership?

1 Timothy 2:8-15

Notes and thoughts from Pastor Terry Gray's Bible study

1 Timothy 2:11-13

Romans 13:1

Ephesians 5:22-33

These passages instructs that we are to submit to appropriate authorities--clear-cut roles for every one of us at every stage in life. Specifically, that man is the head of his family and also the head in his church. At first glance, these passages appear to put women down. But bear in mind as we move through this study, Christianity has freed more women than any other movement in history. In fact, God loves all people and states clearly that all people are equal. So, let's keep this in mind. In fact, these passages have nothing to do with the intrinsic value of women but with order.


And if we're still not convinced, refer to the book of Judges. Deborah was the ONLY female judge appointed by God in the history of Israel. Deborah was appointed because there was no capable man who could lead God's people during that time of chaos. And so, God raised Deborah up. This brilliantly shows that God places men as the spiritual head and women as men's support. But, when men can't get the job done, then women will have to rise to the occasion. Hence, when there is capable men, women should support them and be there to work together to do God's work. There should be no power struggle. That only prevents God's work being done!

Structure prevents chaos. Paul said, Adam was formed first, then the woman--a sign of order. In the Fall, Adam did not act as the spiritual head, and everything went downhill. God did not only punish Eve for swaying Adam but also Adam for failing to lead. As stated clearly, in the Bible, there is suppose to be order in the home and in the church. And we learn that God's plan is to have man as the spiritual leader in the home and the church. Again, it is NOT about who is better to lead; it is about ORDER.

We should also take culture into consideration: Back in the time when this was written, women and men sat in separate sections of the church. During a sermon, to prevent the wife from shouting across the room to ask her husband a question about the sermon, Paul stresses to save these questions until they are home. (This is Pastor Terry's example. I don't know how true this is, so I have remain neutral on this example.) Hence, Paul is not saying women cannot speak in church. The Greek word used for the translated word "silence" in fact has the additional meaning of PEACEABLE, NON-CHAOTIC silence. And so, Paul is encouraging that women should receive instruction without contention, with a peaceful spirit. "Silence" here in the scripture by no means point to "no talking". However, it stresses that a woman cannot usurp a man's spiritual leadership. Jesus has stressed, each body part is important. The head cannot say to the arm that it doesn't need the arm. And similarly, the man is the head. But it doesn't not mean it is "better" than the woman. Just like all parts of the body need to work together, man and woman are partners. Both need to do each part for the success of the two.

1 Timothy 2:8-10

The main point is stressing that beauty is on the inside, shining out from within the works of Jesus Christ. Paul goes into great detail about what not to wear and what to wear because, again, back in those days, women who wore those things were women who did not walk in the path of the Lord. As opposed to getting tangled up with whether or not braiding hair is acceptable, we ought to see the bigger picture of the message: Beauty is shining the light of our Lord from within us, to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, to allow God to work through us.

Pastor Terry concludes: There is a place in the church for women and their ministries. Women are as important as men in the church. No one party is better or worse. Each has its own job to do, and each needs to do it well. Men and women therefore are equal partners and are encouraged to work as a team and to respect God's order. There should be no power struggle between men and women. There should be no power struggle between women and women. There should be no power struggle between men and men in the church!