Male-Female Role Relatioships in the Church

The Scripture reveals that there are separate roles, functions and callings for male and female Christians in the Local Church. Paul's epistles to the Corinthians and to Timothy addressed this issue clearly.

Unfortunately, many theologians, renowned Bible teachers, Pastors and preachers believe there is no difference between the role of men and women in the Church. Consequently, whenever this "controversial" issue arises they are very likely to cite what the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians to support their unbiblical view:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28, NKJV, emphasis added).

If we look at the above verse in the context we will not fail to realize that the apostle Paul was not talking about role relationships. He was talking about sons and heirs through faith in Christ Jesus. He was explaining the nature of the Abrahamic Covenanat whereby the blessing of salvation came to mankind. When we are saved we are all "one in Christ Jesus". We are the children of God; we become members of the Body of Christ. Both men and women are children of God - whether one is a Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female makes no difference. The union into which the sinner enters by faith, in Christ, is one and the same with all people, no matter what their circumstances, national origin, social status, or gender.

I urge my readers to heed Paul's advice, "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thess 5:21). It is very easy to be deceived by wrong teaching even though some teachers of the Word might have erred unintentionally.

Galatians 3:28 does not speak to role relationships; this verse is not intended to address the respective functional distinctions between men and women in the body of Christ or in the Local Church. Such a careless and unscriptural interpretation is entirely foreign to the context.

The principle is, never take Bible verses out of their proper context. If we do we can easily make the Bible says whatever we want it to say! Bible teachers should be reminded that they "shall receive a striter judgment" (James 3:1, NKJV).

Paul's teaching on male-female role relationships

The best source of Biblical material for this topic of discussion comes from Paul's epistles. On no occasion was Paul questioning the ability of woman taking the role of man in the Church.

The questions we need to ask are:

1. "Should a woman take the role of man in the Church?"

2. "Should a woman exercise authority over men in the Church?"

The real Biblical issue is not about ability, education or even Biblical knowledge but about the separate callings for man and woman to fulfill God's divine purpose and design in the Church. Both man and woman have different roles to play in the Local Church. If we follow Paul's teaching and place men and women in their proper roles then we are obedient to God; if we do not, then we are counted as disobedient to God. It is as simple as this! Furthermore, Paul's teaching is very clear and there is no "grey area".

Paul addressed this issue clearly in his first epistle to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:8 - 15).

But, in order to understand the full meaning and implication of role relationships for both sexes, we need, first of all, study 1 Corinthians 11:3 - 12 where Paul teaches man's headship in Christ and the authority of a man over a woman.

Paul's teaching on God-ordained divine Headship

"But I want you to know that the head of every man in Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God" (1 Cor. 11:3, NKJV, emphasis added).

Therefore the divine order of headship in the Church is - God > Christ > man > woman. Divine authority follows the same order.

Paul also gave the reason why it is the will of God for a man to exercise authority over a woman:
"For man is not from woman, but woman from man, nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man" (1 Cor. 11:8,9)

Therefore, this divine headship and authority of man over a woman has been ordained by God as far back as at the Creation of man. This Spiritual Law like many others is unchanging throughout the Church Age. There is no question that it applies to the present day Local Churches as well.

Notice that Paul said nothing about following Jewish laws or early Church customs.

Beware of compromising and man-pleasing Bible teachers who are in the habit of adding their opinions to make their teaching more acceptable and less offensive.

Paul's instructions to Timothy

Paul instructed Timothy to take heed of the regulations concerning how a woman should conduct herself in the Church:

"Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertherless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control" (1 Tim. 2:11 - 15, NKJV).

1. "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission"

The focus is upon a woman's attitude and behavior in the local congregation. When the Church gathers, the submissive Christian woman is to receive instructions willingly, but she does not give it.

2. "And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence"

This verse expands upon the role of women. According to Paul women are to occupy a chaste and submissive place in the Church. This precludes the activities involving teaching men and having authority over men pertaining to the Scripture. But, Paul said nothing about women exercising authority and teaching children in the Local Church.

3. "For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression"

Paul gave the reasons for the previous statements he made. He referred to the divine headship again. The fact that Adam was created before Eve means that men are not to be subjected to the authority of women. Applying this principle to the Local Church, the Creation hierarchy is violated should a woman assume or hold a position in which she rules over a man.

The word "deceived" is a translation from the Greek word "exapatao" meaning "seduced completely" or "enticed to sin". When Satan tempted Eve, she disregarded the implications of the order in which she and Adam were created. Eve by making her own decision removed herself from the safeguarding environment that God designed. She, consequently, fell into transgression.

4. "Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control"

A part of a woman's obligation in the marriage relationship (covenant) is the bearing of children who would be the means by which men would rule over God's creation. By fulfilling their roles, men and women could preserve the order that God created and expect God's blessings.

The phrase "saved in childbearing" has been a source of confusion to many Bible teachers and writers of Bible Commentaries. The explanation can be found if we refer to Genesis when God passed a sentence to Eve because of her transgression:

God 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" (Gen. 3:16, NKJV, emphasis added).

In spite of the above difficulties, if a woman honors her unique God given role which belongs to her only - the ability to bear children, she would be blessed and be delivered from God's sentence upon Eve. However, it does not mean that a woman should do nothing but bear childred, nor that she is regenerated (saved) by giving birth. It means that a woman should not seek to do what God intends man to do. Instead she should continue in her God given role in the Church, in faith, love, and holiness with self-control.

Must women keep silent and forbidden to speak in the Church?

"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. and if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church" (1 Cor. 14:34, 35).

If we take these verses of Scripture out of context a likely answer would be:

"In the early Church most Christian women were not well educated. So it was shameful for them to ask silly questions in Church meetings. Now, the situation is different and most women are well educated. Some of them even have better knowledge of the Scripture than men. Therefore, they are not only qualified to speak but to preach as well".

Notice that this type of answer sounds convincing and fully pleasing to the women in the Local Church. But it ignores totally God's ordained role of women in the Church.

The right answer comes naturally if we put these two verses of Scripture in the context. As we have considered so far, it is not the role of women to teach and to have authority over men in the Local Church. But, Paul was not talking about that when he wrote to the Corinthians. Instead, he was talking about the lack of orderliness in Church meetings. The Church in Corinth was a good example where the exercising of Spiritual gifts was without control. Everyone, both men and women, prophesied and spoke in tongues at the same time without interpretation, and without waiting for their turn to speak.

Paul said, "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33, emphasis added).

Notice that this applies to all Church meetings including our Church meetings. Because of the problem of unruliness and discorderliness women are not allowed to prophesy and speak in tonques during Church meetings. Therefore, Paul gave instruction that, if they want to learn something from such unruly Church meetings, it is far better for them to ask their husband privately at home.

Paul did not forbid women to go to Church to worship God, to learn and to listen to sermons. In fact Jesus Himself wants women to listen and learn!

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to hear His Word (Luke 10:39).

Jesus said to Martha who was busy preparing food to serve Him:

"Martha, Martha, you are warried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42, NKJV).

It is in the heart of Jesus to have women to hear His Words in Church meetings in all submission!