The Role Of Women In The Church
The Roles Of Men And Women • Sermon • Submitted
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Introducing The Topic
Introducing The Topic
Recently I heard someone say the following. “That doctrine is vile, dangerous, harmful, and hateful.” The doctrine being described was complementarianism. That’s a big word. There is another word that goes in opposition to it, Egalitarianism. These two words describe opposing viewpoints on the roles of women in the church. Egalitarianism states that because men and women are equal, there are no distinctions of roles in the church between the sexes. Complementarianism states that while men and women are equal they are designed with different roles and functions. We here at Grace Church are complementarian. What we want to learn is what Scripture reveals about the roles of men and women in the church. Some of the material I will present is from a book called Freedom And Boundaries by Kevin DeYoung. It is a really hard to find book, so if you get the chance, grab it. In it he does a thorough and fantastic job dealing with this topic. I will try to distill his thoughts and give some of my own. The first thing we need to understand is the
The first thing we need to understand is the
Equality Of Genders
Equality Of Genders
Most of you have heard me say this before but let me state it again. We believe in the literal, grammatical, historical interpretation of the Bible. The Bible is our sole source of authority and is to be understood in its plain sense paying attention to grammar and historical context. As we study these passages we will seek to understand them and then abide by what they teach.
Scripture reveals that men and women are created equal. Turn to .
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Men and women are both made in the image of God! God is spirit, He is not male or female. Though masculine pronouns are used for Him, both men and women are in His image. I would argue that both are necessary to get a complete picture and understanding of God. reveals that we are also equal in Christ (S).
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
We are heirs together of the grace of life! Kevin DeYoung puts it well when he says “Maleness is not more holy or divine than femaleness. Both Adam and Eve had equal access to God, and both were equally valuable to God.” The dominion over the earth was given to both. The fact that the names man and woman are similar suggest interdependence. This interdependence is highlighted by Paul in (S).
Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.
The point is that we need one another! God has designed us to function best when we function together. However, the equality of position does not demand equality of function. God has designed
Distinct Gender Roles
Distinct Gender Roles
One of the unassailable facts presented in Genesis is the order of creation. Man was created first. While we do not want to overemphasize this point, it is nevertheless a point of distinction. Consider Paul’s words in (S).
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.
The creation order is given as a reason for the different responsibilities in the church. We will deal with this passage more fully later on.
Another fact is given to us in , please turn there.
And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
It is important to bear in mind that this verse is pre-fall. Therefore, it is not describing subservience, it is describing a difference in role and function. Eve is Adam’s helper. Adam is not Eve’s helper. However, this word “helper” is not a demeaning term. This same word is used to describe God’s help of the nation of Israel. This role distinction is emphasized in (S).
For man is not from woman, but woman from man.
For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.
Genesis also teaches us that to the man is given the responsibility of naming. He named the animals and he named Eve. He is given the command about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and he is addressed as responsible after the fall. He is the representative and head of the race. The fall marred the perfect relationship that God had designed. The man now has tendency to either abdicate responsibility or to be domineering. The woman now desires to rule over the man according to .
To the woman He 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.”
Let’s summarize what we have learned so far. God created men and women equal in dignity, importance, and worth yet gave them differing roles and functions. In the ancient times women experienced less and less dignity and proper treatment. By the time Jesus comes on the scene women were considered less than men. Into this society steps Jesus who consistently treated women with honor and respect. The Gospels depict a very high view of womanhood. Yet, despite the honor with which Jesus treated women, it is twelve men that He chose for leadership. This brings us to the first passage we will undertake a more detailed examination of.
Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
The key to understanding how this passage applies to us today is found in v. 2. These are traditions. They are not commands. In his book, Kevin DeYoung notes that we cannot even know for certain what the covering is. Therefore, how could we keep this tradition if we don’t even know what to do? For us today, head coverings aren’t really the point of this passage. The point we want to discuss is how Paul describes the male-female relationship.
Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God. Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.
The first thing we need to note is the
Structure Of Authority
Structure Of Authority
I particularly like the ESV rendering of v. 3.
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
The same words translated men and women can be husband and wife.