I. The Word: 1 Corinthians 14:33-40
33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
1 Timothy 2:8-13
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
1 Timothy 3:12-13
12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
II. Reflection Questions:
1. Do I accept the plain message of the Bible as the commands of the LORD, even where the Bible speaks on difficult subjects?
2. Do I realize and appreciate freedom in Christ – within the orderly purpose that God has established in the Church?
By Jason Scherzer
On initial reading, the sections of Scripture above may seem to restrict women and to limit their freedom. Let us examine the Scripture to see what it says and understand Paul’s meaning.
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul discusses the use of prophecy and speaking in tongues from the perspective that each spiritual gift must be used in an orderly fashion so that building up the Church is always the goal.
In verse 33, “God is not a God of confusion, but of peace” is related to Paul’s requirement that those who prophesy in the Church must do so one by one. There must not be competition for an audience, which causes confusion.
Verse 34 begins the discussion of women in the churches. Paul simply states that women in the churches “should keep silent,” and “should be in submission”. For Paul, this is consistent with the Law, meaning the Old Testament law that was given to Israel.
Verse 35 contains Paul’s statement that women may further learn by asking their husbands at home. It is also shameful for a woman to speak instruction in the Church. His statement follows his detailed instructions that worship proceedings within a church must be orderly, according to the apostolic standards of “orderly”.
In verse 36 Paul asks a couple of didactic questions: The first asks whether the Word of God came from Paul’s audience; those who read his letter. The second asks whether Paul’s audience hold exclusive possession of the Word of God. Both of Paul’s questions serve to humble the perspective of the reader.
In verse 37 Paul reasons from the Word of God that a true prophet will acknowledge that the words Paul is writing to Corinth are indeed a command of the LORD. Paul also appeals to the test of a true prophet of the LORD, which we find in Deuteronomy 18:20, which says, “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.” Paul was a “Pharisee of Pharisees” and knew the Law of Moses and the prophets extremely thoroughly. He did not write to Corinth presumptuously.
In verses, 38-40 Paul exerts his apostolic authority and appeals to the church to desire the spiritual gift of prophecy, to be used in orderly worship. Speaking in tongues as empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in an orderly fashion is not to be despised.
The text from 1 Timothy 2:8-13 follows instruction from Paul that prayers should be made on behalf of all governing authorities, as God desires all people to be saved. Verse 8 emphasizes the importance of pure prayer, hands that are holy (as opposed to hands that do evil), while anger and quarreling have no proper place in the Church.
In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul commands that women dress in a manner that is modest and respectful. In the Church, Paul says, a woman’s beauty is to be derived from good works, which are produced by faith. In Corinth, wealthy women prided themselves on showing their wealth and status by an outward display of gold, pearls, other expensive jewelry, and attire. In 1 Timothy 2:11-13, Paul stands up his case for order by reviewing the biblical fact that Adam was created first, and thereafter Eve was created as a helper to Adam. Eve is an equal partner to Adam, and Adam is an equal partner to Eve, yet Adam is the leader of the family and is firstly accountable to God. Adam is the one questioned by God when the two of them hid themselves from the LORD.
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul commands that deacons (or elders) must be the husband of one wife. In so doing, a godly man has an opportunity to exercise good management of his children and family, Paul implies. A deacon or elder has need of the good spiritual qualities which are evidenced by good management or stewardship in the family. Serving in this office, Paul writes, gives the deacon great confidence in faith.
Galatians 3:28 reveals the spiritual truth that both Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ; slaves and those with freedom; and male and female are all one in Christ. The third chapter of Galatians has a critical discussion of salvation and justification by faith. It is to be understood that Jews must be saved by faith just as Gentiles must be saved by the same faith; Male and female as well are saved by the same faith. All are equally loved by God. The chapter is not a discussion of different roles in the Church.
IV. Application:
Scripture teaches clearly that both women and men were created by God, and are being redeemed by Christ. Neither sex is more important than the other. If God had created everyone exactly the same, how uninteresting life would be. Men, treat women with the utmost respect, dignity, and honor, as you become godly men and fulfill your God-given leadership roles. When men rise up to be Christ-like men, then women will feel honored and cared for, resulting in strengthening to use their unique spiritual gifts. There should not be a ‘spiritual vacuum’ of male leadership such that women take positions of pastors or elders.
No one should presume to become a pastor or elder without a clear calling from God. We can trust that God will not act in contradiction to the clear teaching of Scripture; He never changes. Scripture simply does not teach that women should be pastors or elders. Sometimes Galatians 3 is used to argue that male and female are one in Christ; therefore all have the same roles. This is a serious misinterpretation; Galatians 3 discusses justification by faith, such that justification can only be by faith, whether Jew or Gentile, male or female; the chapter has a specific purpose, which is not to discuss various leadership roles.
Men: gather regularly with other brothers for fellowship and to be challenged in spiritual growth. Expect God to give you a unique measure of leadership. Women: expect to be affirmed and appreciated in the Church; seek to use your spiritual gifting, as there are countless opportunities for leadership which you may not have expected.
Honor the pastors and the elders that we have in our church, and pray for them. Look for ways to serve alongside which God will show You according to His mysterious and perfect plan.
V. Prayer:
LORD Almighty, my heavenly Father, thank You for the marvelous way that You have created us. From the beginning, You made us male and female, with the unique purpose to show forth Your glory. Since it is for Your glory that I live and exist, then let me be subject to Your authority and humbly help others to do the same. Let both brothers and sisters rise up to bless Your church using spiritual gifts and leadership that is appropriate as You command in Scripture. I ask so that Christ may be all in all in our church. Amen.
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