Women’s Role in the Church

Introduction Why: How: The Elders were recently asked to clarify our views on the role of women in worship We realized we needed to study & document it How: Personal time Prayer Scripture reading/study Books Internet searching Sermons Group study The elders and Russell Full agreement

Introduction Study Approach Context, context, context When was it written? To whom was it written? Why was it written? Consistency in how we treat things in a list Harmony of Scripture Themes & Principles

Scripture We are going to review three passages: 1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 1st Corinthians 14: 26 – 35 1st Timothy 2: 8-15

Scripture We are going to review three passages: 1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 1st Corinthians 14: 26 – 35 1st Timothy 2: 8-15

1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. 7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God

1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 Conclusions Context: Assembly of the saints Head: Verse 3 tells us: God is the head of Jesus Jesus is the head of man Man is the head of woman Why? Authority, or submission Doing what is proper. Not sin, but what is fitting. In Corinth, and actually much of the world then, a woman with her head not covered showed disrespect. It wasn’t fitting. Women: Were praying and prophesying in the assembly, with Paul’s approval

Scripture We are going to review three passages: 1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 1st Corinthians 14: 26 – 35 1st Timothy 2: 8-15

1st Corinthians 14:26-35 26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. We usually get through the first two-thirds of this passage pretty easily. In fact, we get through it so quickly that we miss some things that are significant.

1st Corinthians 14:26-35 To Whom? There is no reference to elders or even leadership of any kind in the letter Paul typically wrote to the elders or the evangelist, such as Timothy or Titus The lack of that suggests that there were no leaders, or at least no effective leaders, in Corinth That is significant due to the way that Greco- Roman women operated – they took over

1st Corinthians 14:26-35 Why Written? Disorder! Ch 11 tells us the Lord’s Supper was a drunken feast for some & others went hungry This chapter tells us that several were speaking in tongues at the same time, sometimes with no one interpreting Several people were praying, singing, and prophesying at the same time. No one was listening and all were trying to get attention. Paul tells them that God is the God of peace, not disorder, and lays down the principle that things are to be done in an orderly fashion, one at a time.

1st Corinthians 14: 26-35 Silence? 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. The word for “silence” is sigao Essentially means to say nothing. Be so quiet no one knows you are there. This would be in complete contradiction to Ch 11 if applied to women in the assembly By saying it is “disgraceful” for a woman to speak in church he’s back to the “honor” issue discussed in Ch 11.

1st Corinthians 14: 26-35 Churches? 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. The word “church” is ekklasia in Greek Used 3 times in the New Testament to describe the assembly of Christians, what we would call “worship”. All three of those uses are in Acts, not 1st Corinthians. Used 115 times in the New Testament to describe the body of Christians, sometimes globally and sometimes locally. That is how it is used here. Not the assembly.

1st Corinthians 14: 26-35 Women? 34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. The word for “woman” also means wife Paul says they are to ask their own husbands, but what if they aren’t married, their husband isn’t a Christian, or he is deceased? We aren’t given any wiggle room – and Paul says we aren’t to add to his teaching, so we can’t tell them to go to another leader. Apparently these women were the wives of men who should have been leaders of the congregation. Paul set up leaders, such as elders, as having a wife so that fits.

1st Corinthians 14:26-35 Conclusion Men: Supposed to be leaders of the congregation Responsible to manage things in an orderly fashion Women: Are not told to be silent in the assemblies Instead, wives of leaders are to let their husbands lead Input their wishes regarding management of the congregation via their husbands – at home Honor God Christ Their husband

Scripture We are going to review three passages: 1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 1st Corinthians 14: 26 – 35 1st Timothy 2: 8-15

1st Timothy 2:8-15 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1st Timothy 2:8-15 Context, Hand, & Adornment Assembly because it matters what the women wear And, there is public prayer Holy hands: Men to demonstrate holiness and humility in their daily lives by not lifting up hands in anger at others Adornment: Women to shine from within via attitude rather than the glitz of gold, jewelry, or braided hair.

1st Timothy 2:8-15 Authority 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. A woman is not to have authority over a man, but is to have a heart of submission and a demeanor of quietness. Where did we get that? The word translated “quiet” actually means “stillness, desistance from bustle”. It does not mean absolute silence as in 1st Corinthians 14 Paul is stressing the principle that women are to portray Christ in their actions and attitudes towards men, which is a continuing thread in his teaching.

Conclusions

Conclusion - Assemblies No scriptural basis for a difference between class time, worship time, small group time, or even Thursday night meetings. Matthew records Jesus as saying “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.” So, where 2 or more meet for the purpose of worshiping, teaching, or edifying, the meetings will be treated the same way, meaning that whatever goes in one goes in all.

Conclusion - Leadership We are not told any place in the New Testament that women are to be Elders, Deacons, or Evangelists. There are passages that say certain women, like Phoebe, were deacons. But that means servant and is not the same as the office of Deacon. Given that, we are not going to have women in the role of Elder, Deacon, or Evangelist.

Conclusion - Prophesying We see in 1st Corinthians 11 that women witnessed, meaning that they told others what God had done for them. We will do that, as appropriate, and we will do that in what we consider worship or class settings One near-term plan is for the ladies who are currently in India to provide us with a first-hand view to their trip and how God used them to touch the lives of others.

Conclusion - Teaching Paul said he doesn’t “… permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” However, he also told us that Priscilla and Aquila took Appollos aside in Ephesus and explained the Gospel to him more fully. They taught him. In fact, if we men are honest we are frequently taught by women. I know I am. Having said that, we are not going to have women as active, up front teachers in our classes that include adult men.

Parting Words This is the position of the elders after considerable study and prayer. However, if you have questions or comments, or want to study it with us, please contact us.

End

Introduction Sneak Preview No change from current practices But now we know why

Introduction Class vs Worship Time Why during “worship time”? Many of you would be teaching and miss it Not everyone comes to class And, by the way, there is no Biblical support for “class time” being different than “worship” Both are assemblies of the saints for the purpose of worship, prayer, and edification As are small group times, regardless of when they meet

Introduction History Lesson - Classes Years ago churches split over class time One side said no scriptural support for a difference & women should remain silent in both Others felt it was expedient to have “class” and allow women to speak Separating class from worship time is not wrong It is a practice started for expediency It is a tradition and not doctrine or law

Introduction History Lesson - Restoration Restore what: The practices of the church from the last 100 – 200 years? The practices of 2000 years ago? We need to: Study to understand the Scriptures Determine what is truth and what is tradition

Introduction Honor Jesus honored God with His baptism He didn’t need to be cleansed of sin He acknowledged Himself a follower of God Jesus honored women when the woman was brought to Him that had been caught in adultery Jews had 2 different punishments – man/woman Jesus said it takes two

1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 Context Context: Assembly or dinner gathering? Chapter 10, from verse 14 to the end, deals with Lord’s Supper so is talking about the assembly Chapter 11, from 17 on, deals with assembly In fact, in 11:17 Paul says “your meetings do more harm than good” So, verses 3 through 16 deal with an assembly of the saints

1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 Head Head: What is Paul telling us about the head? Verse 3 tells us: God is the head of Jesus Jesus is the head of man Man is the head of woman Why? Authority, or submission Doing what is proper. Not sin, but what is fitting. In Corinth, and actually much of the world then, a woman with her head not covered showed disrespect. It wasn’t fitting.

1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 Law or Principle? Our behavior: Reflects Christ and adds beauty to the Gospel Or detracts from the Gospel Their culture: Uncovered women were typically prostitutes V10 should be translated that a woman has authority over her head & can choose to submit or rebel The principle: A woman is to conduct herself such that she brings honor to God, Christ, and the man who has the responsibility of leading her in Christ.

1st Corinthians 11: 3-16 Women The women were: Praying in public Note that we are never told of a “prayer leader” in the NT Might even have been praying via song – we do that Prophesying in the public assembly. Best understood as witnessing, explaining what God has done for them. Paul not only did not condemn it, but by explaining how they should cover their head he gives tacit approval

1st Corinthians 14:26-35 Women Paul told the women to “shut up”, but where and when? The word “church” is ekklasia in Greek Used 3 times to describe the assembly of Christians, what we would call “worship”. All three of those uses are in Acts. Used 115 times to describe the body of Christians, sometimes globally and sometimes locally. That is how it is used here. Not the assembly! The word for “silence” is sigao, and essentially means shut up. Be so quiet no one knows you are there. Paul isn’t telling women to shut up in the assemblies as: That contradicts Ch 11. It makes no sense as it would mean that they cannot even sing