Women Serving in Church Series on Healthy Church I Corinthians 14:34-40 Women Serving in Church

INTRODUCTION Healthy church series continued Corinthians were in discord and disarray Paul’s prohibition on woman preaching Woman preaching or leading in the church of today

1Co 14:34-40 Let your women be silent in the churches; for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the Law also says. (35) And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in a church. (36) Or did the Word of God go out from you? Or did it reach only to you?

1Co 14:34-40 (37) If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or a spiritual one, let him recognize the things I write to you, that they are a commandment of the Lord. (38) But if any is ignorant, let him be ignorant. (39) So then, brothers, seek to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in languages. (40) Let all things be done decently and in order.

Exegetical Note Proper exegesis require honesty and faithfulness to the Scripture Textual and social contexts are critical Today’s Scripture is sandwiched between speaking tongues and “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Situation context (1) “Liberal”, “spiritual” and Christian “infants”, both man and women in Corinth. Church was heavily influenced with pagan & secular social values

Situation context (2) Much divisions and contentions in Corinth Politics and spiritual arrogance Disorderly worship: tongues and disruptive women

Paul’s Teachings (1) Be silent – Stop disruptive speech and behavior Endless and disruptive questioning Militate conversations Be subjective – have respect and not be abusive to one another

Paul’s Teachings (2) Ask their husband at home Don’t interrupt public worship Shame for a woman to speak in a church Humility, respect, and order in God’s house

Modern values in churches (1) Social values on equality No sex discrimination Equal treatment Attacking words on the Church Misogyny (厭惡女性) Paternalism (男家長主義) Glass ceiling Apostle Paul was misogynist

Problems in Modern church Social influence on gender blinding - Denies ANY gender differences Feminist theology A form of eisegesis

Modern values on church: Intents Intent: General discrediting of biblical values (not just about women) Psychology: seeking pride and power Akin to John’s mom! Sitting at the right of Jesus (Mat 20:20-23)

Modern Values on Church: Effect Effect: All of these opinions and speeches are meant to be divisive! Result: A divisive church! My right, equal treatment. Is Christ divided?

Biblical Teachings (1): 1Cor 11:4-10 Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonors his Head. (5) But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head; for that is even the same as if she were shaved. (6) For if the woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn. But if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled.

Biblical Teachings (2): 1Cor 11:4-10 (7) For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man. (8) For the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. (9) Nor was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man. (10) For this reason the woman ought to have authority on her head because of the angels.

Biblical Teachings (3) Women can preach Women can be church leaders Anna, the daughter of Phanuel (Luk 2:36-38) Daughters of Philip the evangelist, (Act 21:8-9) Women can be church leaders Moses’ sister Mariam (Exo 15:20-21) Esther

Biblical Teachings (4) Woman, just as man need to submit to God’s authority Respect God’s creation in gender differences. And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him. He created them male and female. Gen 1:27 Respect God’s order and preference We need to respect God’s will in order God’s PREFERENCE is man to lead

Biblical Christian tenets (1) Salvation is offered to all, there is no difference. Women should not rule over men Not to manipulate as to gain control or take over; No using soft power as an instrument in power struggle. 1Ti 2:12-15  Gen 3:16  Gen 4:7

Biblical Christian tenets (2) Wash each other’s feet, humbly serving one another We are to serve as one, in unity, as it was at Creation. To rule over: not mean to dominate or tyrannical to woman, but to love and lead by example as Christ did

Christ’s submission (1) “Therefore God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth; (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Php 2:9-11 For, “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.” Joh 3:35

Christ’s submission (2) Christ seek not His glory and power, but that of the Father. Christ seeks submission to Father’s will! It is NOT about fairness, but will of God Jesus seeks the glory and exaltation from the Father, no himself.

CONCLUSIONS Women can preach and lead We need to respect God’s order Know our motivations, for Christ is NOT divided No gender based power struggle and for pride Wash each other’s feet Public worship needs to be orderly