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

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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.

5. 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.”

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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)

13. 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?

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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