Women in the Church

The Context of the Church

What is the church?

[Allow Answers] - The Body of Church, made up of regenerate believers. (Baptist)

The Church has a universal and local meaning.

Universal - All believers at all times (Dead or Alive)

You are ALWAYS in the church if you are a believer

at home, work, in bed - you’re a a saint of the church.

Local - A specific body of believers (NHBC)

You are a member of the local body (politics-depending)

But you are not in church at home, work, in bed

The local, regular gathering of believers.

What is the purpose of the Church?

Represent Christ on earth - Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.””

Preach the Gospel - Matthew 28:16–20 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Equip the Saints for Ministry - Ephesians 4:11–13 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,”

All these for the Glory of Christ and occur through the ordained works of the Church:

Corporate Worship through song, prayer, and the Word

Sanctification through these things and accountability/oversight

What is NOT church?

Things that are functions of the church are not necessarily the local, regular gathering.

Youth Group

Sunday School

Small groups

Church Softball Leagues

Paul’s Purpose

Paul, in 1 Cor. is discussing the structure, order, and behavior of the local church.

In chapter 14 specifically, Paul is discussing order in the church and specifically, prophecy.

Paul’s expectation: Orderly worship

God is pretty clear re: worship (Nadab and Abihu, Uzzah, Lv. - Dt.)

Paul’s concern: A local gathering that distracts from the purpose and process God has ordained for His people.

The Silent

Three groups of commanded to be silent:

The Uninterpreted: 1 Corinthians 14:28 “But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.”

The Previous Prophet: 1 Corinthians 14:30 “If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.”

Women: 1 Corinthians 14:34 “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.”

Interpretive Options

Some women were being loud and boisterous; Paul is reigning in their disorderly conduct.

Pros:

It’s more comfortable for us modern Americans.

Generally in keeping with what Paul does in his letters.

Cons:

Paul never says this, v. 33 says otherwise

This could be a true situation and yet not negate a universal command

Paul is giving a universal church rule regarding women in church.

Pros:

Evidence of v. 33 - as in all the churches, submission

In keeping with 1 Timothy 2:12 “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”

Cons:

Offensive to modern mindset

Clarity of Context

Paul’s understanding of what was going on in prophecy is helpful

He contrasts speaking during the church service (specifically during these prophecies) with submission.

Paul is equating the speaking of prophecy in vv. 26ff with authority (makes sense)

Either the correction or speaking of these prophecies - takes a position of authority over the speaker

Namely, they would be teaching.

1 Timothy 2:12 “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”

Paul is not barring women from teaching women, children, in schools, training in careers, etc.

This prohibition is against holding the office of elder, pastor in the local body (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1–2) “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,”

Paul seems to be prohibiting the same thing here in 1 Cor 14:34.

Guarding the proper practice of teaching ministry in the local church.

Helpful Reminders

Paul says that not many should become teachers (elders) James 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

Paul gives expectations for Pastors 1 Timothy 3:1–7 “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

Reminder in Steven Lawson, Ravi Zacharias, Johnny Hunt, et al.

Paul’s Reasoning

Paul gives a reason here:

The Law - submission as in all the churches

Likely the Mosaic Law (Pentateuch/Torah) Gen-Dt.

Likely the same reasoning in 1 Timothy 2:13–14 “For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.”

Genesis is part of the Law

Interpretive Options

Primacy of Adam - Men are cooler

Sin of Eve - a punishment for her disobedience

Creation order, Authority of Adam, Failure and redemption.

Conclusion:

Paul is not prohibiting women from speaking, but speaking with authority in the local congregation i.e. functioning as an elder/pastor.

Paul does not close the door to women teaching in various other capacities (Heather, Aubrey)

Paul does not close the door to women participating in SS, Bible Studies, prayer groups.

Paul instead calls men and women to serve the church in ways in keeping with our calling, purpose, giftings, and design.

There are many ways I might want to serve but am not called to or gifted to.

Since, therefore, all are called to obedience in the church to the order and design of the Head - Christ, we should not let ourselves get in the way of our love for Christ, especially due to the swaying and movement of the world’s ideas.

Resources:

Women in the Church - Kostenberger, Schreiner, Baugh, et al.

Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament - Paul Gardner

GotQuestions.org - Do Women have to remain silent in church?

Ligonier.org - Women Speaking in Church

DesiringGod.org - The Order of Creation