| | WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES CAN WOMEN PERFORM IN THE CHURCH? ARE WOMEN
TO BE MINISTERS/ELDERS AND PREACHERS? CAN WOMEN BE ALLOWED TO
TEACH IN CHURCH? CAN WOMEN HAVE "SPIRITUAL GIFTS" AND IF THEY
CAN, ARE THEY ALLOWED TO USE THEM IN CHURCH SERVICES? ARE WOMEN TO
EXERCISE PERSONAL EVANGELISM? WILL LADIES BE LOWER OR HIGHER THAN
MEN IN POSITIONS OF REWARD IN THE KINGDOM?
THESE QUESTIONS CAN ONLY BE ANSWERED BY A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES
AND BY LOOKING AT THE EXAMPLES GIVEN IN GOD'S WORD.
THE TRUTH MAY SURPRISE MANY.
SALVATION - EQUAL FOR BOTH SEXES!
Let it be said at the onset, as far as salvation is concerned
there is no difference between Greek, Jew, Black, White - men or
women. There is ONE Lord for all. Men and women must be saved
exactly the same way. ALL have sinned - ALL need redemption
- ALL need Christ's blood to justify and His life in us (through
the Holy Spirit) to save us.
Both men and women are called the sons of God. Both will be
glorified, made immortal and inherit all things. Women are to
pray, study, fast and grow in grace and knowledge as MUCH as men
are to do these things. Both will be rewarded according to
their works. If a woman has been faithful in what God has given
her to do, she will be rewarded accordingly. God is no respecter
of persons. Both men and women will be rewarded according to what
they have done with what they were given. All scripture
asserts the truth of that mentioned above.
But God did make men and women for different roles in life and
the church, in some respects and in some functions. Let's find
out what God wants WOMEN to do in the church.
TO TEACH GOOD THINGS
One of the greatest blessings a woman can give to the church is
to be the kind of feminine woman God intended all women to be.
Read I Pet. 3:1-6; I Tim. 2:9-15; Eph. 5: 1-24; 1 Cor. 11:3. Man
was created to need the help of a woman. He is not all
encompassing - woman was made to be a serving, inspiring, helpful
companion to man (Gen. 2:18, 21-25). She was not only to be the
bearer of all children but it was through a woman that Christ was
born - the savior of MAN as well as WOMAN (Matt. 1:18-25; Lk.
1: 26-3 5 ; I Tim. 2: 15, see these passages in the Amplified
Bible).
She is not only to be an example of Godly character and
femininity but also to teach it to others. Paul writing to Titus
told him to, "teach the older women to be quiet and
respectful in everything they do. They must not go around
speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers, but they
should be TEACHERS OF GOODNESS. These OLDER WOMEN MUST TRAIN THE
YOUNGER women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their
children, and to be sensible and clean-minded, spending their
time in their own homes, being kind and obedient to their
husbands, so that the Christian faith can't be spoken against by
those who know them" ( Titus 2:3-6 Living Bible).
SERVICE AND GOOD WORKS
During Christ's ministry there were evidently certain women who
were "rendering Him services" (Matt. 27:55 Modern Language Bible)
in one way or another. Christ did not only have His immediate
twelve disciples but others also who followed Him (Matt. 10:1-5;
Lk.10:1-2). With all those men following him, there would be
ample work for the service of women to repair clothes, to cook
meals, wash clothes, and all the other 101 things that
women are so good at doing for men.
In Acts 9:36 we read about a woman of God called Dorcas who was
known for "good works and acts of charity" (RSV).
Acts 16:13-16 tells us about Lydia and how she was converted,
baptized and was hostess to Paul and others for a short time.
She no doubt not only gave them a place to sleep but food and
drink and other acts of service and kindness.
Timothy and other ministers at one time were in the need of women
to help them as they preached the gospel. Paul wrote and told
Timothy that, "A widow who wants to become one of the special
church workers should be at least sixty years old, well thought
of by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought
up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers as well as
to other Christians? Has she helped those who are sick and hurt?
Is she always ready to show kindness?" (I Tim.5:9-10 Living
Bible). The women chosen for this special group probably did the
same kind of service that the women who followed Christ during
His earthly ministry did.
WOMEN - "SPIRITUAL" ELDERS?
Was Paul speaking about "spiritual elders" in I Tim. 5:1-2? Was
he instructing Timothy how to deal with women who were church
pastors or overseers? The Modern Language Bible renders these
verses: "Do not rebuke an older man but plead with him as a
father, and younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and
the younger women as sisters with absolute purity." Paul was
speaking of AGE - not ministerial office or function.
Just before the day of Pentecost Christ's disciples were together
with the women in the upper room. "These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication"(Acts 1:13,14). But there is
NOTHING in these verses to prove or disprove what the women
did or said - if indeed they did or said anything.
Some say I Cor. 11:1-6 is talking about church services and both
men and women praying and preaching - one wearing a hat (women)
and the other (men) not.
First, the "covering" Paul is speaking about is not hats but hair
(v.14-16) - women are to have long hair, while men have short
hair in relation to each other. Second, the words "church
service" or "synagogue" or "meetings" can not be found in this
passage, nor the words "when you come together." Praying or
foretelling future events or speaking forth the word of God (as
the Greek word can mean) can be done any time or any place. Paul
is NOT here talking about church services.
WOMEN AS MESSENGERS?
Certainly, it is possible for God to send an angel to a woman
with a message to the church about some future event, or
something He wants His ministers to do. But NEVER WILL such a
dream, revelation be contrary to God's inspired word as given in
the Bible (Isa 8:20). If it is, then we can know it is not from
God - but Satan. For Satan can also appear as an angel of light
(2 Cor. 11:13-15).
Christ appeared to the two Marys shortly after His resurrection
and He gave them a message to His ministers to be, the men were
to go into Galilee there Jesus would meet them (Matt. 28:5-9).
This amounted to a prophecy - the two Marys were at this time as
prophetesses. God has used women as prophets - to foretell future
happenings (Ex.15:20; Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chron. 34:22;
Neh. 6:14; Isa.8:3).
The only example in the entire Bible of a prophetess doing any
what we call "preaching" is that of Deborah in Judges 4. The
Israelites had left off obeying God - obviously, there
was no man around God could use until Gideon was old enough
(Judges 6:11-16) to do God's work. So God used a woman under this
ONCE in many years situation. If the circumstances are such God
can raise up the stones to do His work if He chose. God only used
Deborah for a short time to lead and teach the Israelites - ONLY
UNTIL a man came along to assume leadership. This is not "putting
down" women. It is just looking at what God has said and how He
has decided to do things.
Let us be willing to be honest. Nowhere in the Bible do we have
ANY prophetess becoming a priest, apostle, church minister or
overseer or elder.
Nowhere in the Bible can we find a prophetess preaching or
teaching from the Temple or Church meetings. Never to date has
God once used a prophetess to write ANY book of the Bible. No
other so-called "inspired" books by women or men have been handed
down to us except those in the Bible. Prophetesses were/are used
by God, but to date God has never used a prophetess to WRITE
"inspired books," so any church CLAIMING it has a prophetess as
its founder or has "inspired books" written by a claimed
prophetess does so without one word of scriptural background
authority.
Prophetesses were used as MESSENGERS to the church. They were
used VERBALLY by God.
NEW TESTAMENT PROPHETESSES !
There are only TWO passages in the New Testament where the word
"prophetess" is used. The first is in Luke 2:36-37. Anna, a
prophetess, served God in the temple with prayers and fastings.
It does not say she PREACHED or was a TEACHER in the temple.
She did on one special occasion talk to others about Jesus
(v-38). This was on the day that Joseph and Mary had brought
Jesus to the temple to dedicate and buy Him back (redeem) - as
was required by the law(Ex. 13:2,13,15; Lev.12) - and being
blessed by Simeon(v.34). It was certainly fitting that Anna,
".......began thanking God and telling everyone in Jerusalem who
had been awaiting the coming of the saviour that the Messiah
had finally arrived"(verse 38, Living Bible). Notice, she only
told those who were also looking for the arrival of the Messiah -
she did not "preach" or "teach" in any official way.
All women can talk of Jesus to all who look for salvation, on ANY
day of the week. They can talk of Christ before church and after
church. There is nothing in this example to prove that women
should be MINISTERS, ELDERS, PASTOR/TEACHERS in church.
The only other place in the New Testament where the word
"prophetess" is used is in Rev. 2:20 - where God tells the church
of Thyatira, "I have a few things against thee, because you
sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a
prophetess, to TEACH and to seduce My servants to commit
fornication." God goes on to say He will cast her and the ones
following her into tribulation if they do not repent(v.32). Not
a good commentary at all. God said the CHURCH of Thyatira was
PERMITTING this woman Jezebel to teach and lead people astray.
TO TEACH OR NOT TO TEACH?
After being willing to look at all the verses in the Bible
pertaining to women, woman, wife, prophetess, we come to TWO
plain passages on the question of women as preachers,
ministers or church teachers. These two passages of scripture
are I Cor. 14:34-35 and 1 Tim.2:11-12.
Paul says in I Cor. 14:34, "Let your women keep silence in the
churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak." Now, is
Paul saying that a woman cannot say "hello" to anyone? Is she
not permitted to have a conversation with anyone while she is in
church?
Is she not to speak if someone talks to her? Hardly. This was
not the problem at Corinth.
Paul was answering the question about women being teachers,
elders, ministers over men in and during church services, as well
as a woman who had a "spiritual gift" - when or when not to use
it.
I Tim. 2:12 says, "But I suffer not a woman to teach." Is Paul
saying that a woman cannot teach her children, cannot teach in a
secular school, college or at the YWCA? No!
This verse must be put with the passage in I Cor. 14:34. Then
the truth is clear.
Paul is talking about the DUTY of a women during church meetings,
when they "came together."
Notice the whole context of 1 Corinthians 14. It was when
outsiders may attend and hear and see what was being done. When
Paul was writing to Timothy it was to inform him:
"....how you should behave yourself in the house of God..." (1
Tim.3:15).
The Living Bible renders 1 Tim. 2:12 as, "I never let a woman
teach men or lord it over them. Let them be silent in your church
meetings......." 1 Cor.14:34 is translated as, ".......women
should be silent during the church meetings. They are not to take
part in the discussion, for they are subordinate to men as the
scriptures also declare."
Some would have us believe that Paul is only talking to Jewish
churches about a Jewish custom. This can hardly be the case, when
the church at Corinth was predominantly GENTILE, and Paul uses
the plural - "churches" - not just one church, but all the
churches of God. Paul was desirous that all the churches be run
"decently and in order" (verse 4O). "For God is not the author of
confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints"
(v.33).
The letters to Timothy are known as "pastoral letters" by the
Bible Commentaries. They contain instruction to the pastors on
church administration - how things should be run in the churches
at large. Paul's instruction was inspired of God, and is
applicable as much today as in Paul's lifetime.
MATTHEW HENRY'S BIBLE COMMENTARY says this on I Cor. 14:34-35.
Quote:
Here the apostle.......
Enjoins silence on their women in PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES, and to
such a degree that THEY MUST NOT ASK QUESTIONS for their own
information in the church, but ASK THEIR HUSBANDS AT HOME.
They are to LEARN IN SILENCE with all subjection; but, says
the apostle, I SUFFER THEM NOT TO TEACH (I Tim.2:11,12).
They are not permitted to speak (v.34) in the church,
neither in praying nor PROPHESYING. The connection seems
PLAINLY to INCLUDE THE LAST - in the limited sense in which
it is taken in this chapter; that is, for preaching or
interpreting scripture by inspiration. And indeed, for a
woman to PROPHESY, in this sense, were to teach, does not so
well befit her state of subjection. A teacher of others has
in that respect a superiority over them, which is not
allowed the woman over the man, nor must she therefore be
allowed to teach in a congregation.........uttering HYMNS
inspired were not teaching. There were women who had
spiritual gifts of this sort in that age of the church.
Why should they have this gift, if it must never be publicly
exercised? They were not ordinarily to teach, not so much
as to DEBATE AND ASK QUESTIONS IN THE CHURCH, but learn in
silence there; and, if difficulties occurred, ASK THEIR OWN
HUSBANDS AT HOME. Note - as it is the woman's duty to learn
in subjection, it is the man's duty to keep up his
superiority, by being able to instruct her. If it be
her duty to ask her husband at home, it is his concern and
duty to endeavour at least to be able to answer her
inquiries. If it be a shame for her to speak in the
church, where she should be silent, it is a shame for him to
be silent when he should speak, not being able to give an
answer when she asks him at home.
We have here the reason of this injunction. It is God's law
and commandment that they should be under obedience (v.34);
they are placed in subordination to the man; and it is a
shame for them to do anything that looks like an affectation
of changing ranks (which speaking in public seemed to
imply).......as would public teaching much more: so that the
apostle concludes it was a shame for women to speak in the
church, in the assembly. Note - our spirit and conduct
should be suitable to our rank. The natural distinctions God
has made, we should observe.
The woman was made subject to the man, and she should keep
station, and be content with it. For this reason they must
be silent in the church, not set up for teachers; for this
is setting up for superiority over the man.......
End of quote.
We may also note here the spiritual gifts of TONGUES,
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES, PROPHECY, REVELATION - all of which
may be given to women as well as men. Paul in 1 Cor.12 verse
1,7,11, makes it plain that these gifts are to ALL as the
Spirit distributes. But such gifts are not to be exercised by the
women DURING the church meetings or assemblies. Any woman who
would claim she is compelled to use such gifts, Paul would
answer, THE SPIRITS OF THE PROPHETS ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROPHETS
(v.32). God does not give a gift to His child which
cannot be controlled by His child and controlled as to when it
may be used.
The other question not raised here is: if women are to learn in
silence in church and ask questions to their husbands at home -
what about the WIDOWS and UNMARRIED WOMEN who have no husband to
ask? Paul's instruction on keeping silent in church meetings is
to ALL women - married, widows, single. The woman who has no
physical husband certainly does have a SPIRITUAL husband - the
elder/s of the church. They are the ones to whom these women
should direct their questions on Biblical understanding.
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS on 1 TIM. 2:11-15 are also very
pertinent:
Quote:
Women must LEARN - learn the principles of their religion,
learn CHRIST, learn the scriptures; they must not think that
their sex excuses them from that learning which is necessary
for salvation.
Women must be silent and submissive, and subject, and NOT
USURP AUTHORITY. The reason given is, because ADAM was FIRST
FORMED, then EVE - out of him - to denote her subordination
to him, to be a HELP, MEET for him. And as she was last in
the creation, which is the one reason for her subjection, so
she was first in the transgression; and that is another
reason. Adam was not deceived (that is - not first).
The serpent did not immediately set upon him but the woman
was first in the transgression; (2 Cor.11:3), and it was
part of the sentence - THY DESIRE SHALL BE TO THY HUSBAND,
AND HE SHALL RULE OVER THEE. (Gen. 3:16).
Let me say here that this verse of Gen.3:16 is not understood by
very many, including Matthew Henry. It really has nothing to do
with men and women in "church services." The full explanation of
this verse must be given in a separate study article. It is not
the intent of this study to cover Genesis 3:16 (Keith Hunt).
Continuing with Matthew Henry:
But it is a word of comfort (v.15) that they who continue in
sobriety shall be SAVED IN CHILDBEARING, or WITH
childbearing. The Messiah, who was born of a woman, should
break the serpent's head (Gen. 3:15) - or - the sentence
which women are under for sin shall be no bar to their
acceptance with Christ, IF they CONTINUE in faith, and
charity, and holiness, with sobriety.
Here we observe According to St. Paul, women must be
learners, and are not allowed to be public teachers in the
church; for teaching is an office of authority; whereas she
must not usurp authority over the man, but is to be in
silence. But, notwithstanding this prohibition, good women
may and ought to teach their children at home the principles
of God's teaching. Timothy from a child had known the holy
scriptures; and who should teach him but his mother and
grandmother? (2 Tim. 3:15).
Aquilla and his WIFE PRISCILLA expounded unto Apollas the
way of God more perfectly; but then they did it PRIVATELY,
for THEY TOOK HIM UNTO THEM (Acts l8:26).
Here are two very good reasons given for man's authority
over the woman, and her subjection to the man (v.13,14).
Adam was FIRST formed, then EVE; she was created for the
man, and not the man for the woman (I Cor. 11:9).
Then she was deceived, and brought man into the
transgression....... "
End of quote from Henry.
In Romans 16:3 we see that PRISCILLA was a HELPER in Christ. A
woman can and should be a worker for the gospel WITHIN the bounds
God has decreed. As we can see from Acts 18:26, a WOMAN can on a
personal basis be an instrument for the spreading of the Gospel and
teaching of God's word as much as any man.
The teaching of God on the ROLE that women are to take in the
Church may not be popular with the "WOMAN'S LIBERATION" movement,
but it is the truth of God and God is LOVE and WISDOM. He knows
what is best for us and why in this life we were created MALE and
FEMALE. God is the DESIGNER and LAWGIVER - when we are willing to
obey His laws governing every facet of our lives, then we shall
have happiness, peace and joy.
God has given us instruction on how the family relationship -
husband, wife, children - should be run (Eph. 5:21-33; I
Cor.11:3; Col. 3:18-21 ). He has revealed to us the roles each is
to fulfil in the family structure, and He has revealed the role
that women are to take in the function of the church.
Let us willingly obey, so Christ may present the church to
Himself "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any
such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish"
(Eph.5:27).
OUTSIDE OF OFFICIAL PUBLIC WORSHIP SERVICES, THE WOMEN ARE AS FREE TO TEACH AND EVANGELIZE AS ARE THE MEN. I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE A LADY HELPING ME IN EVANGELIZING FOR SOME YEARS. HER ABILITY WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, AND ARTICLE WRITING, WAS SKILLFUL INDEED. I WAS PROUD TO CALL HER MY CO-WORKER. SHE DIED OF CANCER AT AGE 45.
POSTSCRIPT
Since the writing of this article I have read and studied the
comments of 1 Corinthians 14 by ALBERT BARNES in his commentary
called "Barnes' Notes on the New Testament."
His comments on this whole chapter art very good indeed, and it
is worthwhile for the reader to take the time to read those
comments. The Bible Commentaries I use are today on the Internet.
Here I will only give his comments on verses 34, 35.
ALBERT BARNES One Vol. Commentary on the New Testament, page 782.
Quote:
Let your women keep silent etc. This rule is positive,
explicit, and universal.
There is no ambiguity in the expressions; and there can be
no difference of opinion, one would suppose, in regard to
their meaning. The sense evidently is, THAT IN ALL THOSE
THINGS WHICH HE HAD SPECIFIED, the women were to keep
silence; they were not to take part. He had discoursed
of speaking foreign languages, and of prophecy, and the
evident sense is, that in regard to all these they were to
keep silence, or were not to engage in them.
These pertained solely to the MALE PORTION of the
congregation. These thing, constituted the business
of the PUBLIC TEACHING; and in this the female part of the
congregation were to be silent. "They were not to teach the
people, nor were they to interrupt those who were speaking"
Rosenmuller. It is probable that on pretence of being
inspired, the women had assumed the office of public
teachers.......He here argues the practice ON EVERY GROUND;
forbids it altogether; and shows that on every
consideration it was to be regarded as improper for them
even so much as TO ASK A QUESTION in time of public
service.......the force of the whole is, that ON
EVERY CONSIDERATION it was improper, and to be expressly
prohibited, for women to conduct the devotions of the
church. It does not refer to those only who claimed to be
inspired, but to all; it does not refer merely to acts of
public preaching, but to ALL ACTS OF SPEAKING, OR EVEN
ASKING QUESTIONS, when the church is assembled for public
worship. No rule in the New Testament is more positive than
this; and however plausible may be the reasons which may
be argued for disregarding it, and for suffering women to
take part in conducting public worship, yet the AUTHORITY of
the apostle Paul is POSITIVE. and his MEANING cannot he
MISTAKEN. Compare 1 Tim.2:11,12.....
To be under obedience. To be subject to their husbands; to
acknowledge the superior authority of the man. Note, chapter
11:3......
And if they shall learn anything. If anything has been
spoken which they do not understand; or if on any particular
subject they desire more full information, let them inquire
of their husbands in their own dwelling. They may there
converse freely; and their inquiries will not be attended
with the irregularity and disorder which would occur should
they interrupt the order and solemnity of public worship....
For it is a shame. It is disreputable and shameful; it is a
breach of propriety. Their station in life demands modesty,
humility, ant they should be free from the ostentation of
appearing so much in public as to take part in the public
services of TEACHING and PRAYING.....
It does not become their rank in life; it is not fulfilling
the object which God evidently intended them to fill. He
has appointed men to rule; to hold offices; to instruct and
govern the church; and it is improper that women should
assume that office upon themselves. This evidently and
OBVIOUSLY refers to the church assembled for PUBLIC WORSHIP,
in the ordinary and regular acts of devotion.
There the assembly is made up of males and females, of old
and young, and there it is improper for them to take part in
conducting the exercises. BUT THIS CANNOT BE INTERPRETED AS
MEANING that it is improper for females to speak or to pray
in meetings of their own sex, assembled for prayer or for
benevolence; nor that it is improper for a female to speak
or to pray in a Sabbath-school. Neither of these come under
the apostle's idea of a church. And
in such meetings, no rule of propriety or of the Scriptures
is violated in their speaking for the edification of each
other, or in leading in social prayer……."
End of quote, emphasis his and mine.
After all that has been said, some may still want to argue that
women with spiritual gifts are excluded from those women who are
to keep silent in the church during public divine services. My
answer and my question to such arguments is: If women are allowed
in divine public services, to use the gift of revelation,
prophecy(inspired oracles of God), tongues, interpretation of
tongues, then WHO ARE THEY THAT ARE TO KEEP SILENT?
Are they those who would want to talk about their new house
decorating plans, or aunt Sue's visit, or what happened at the
mid-week garage sale? Most know that such "chit-chat" is not for
the Sabbath hours, let alone for divine public services.
The structure and flow of Paul's instructions to the Corinthians
in this chapter fourteen, can give no credence to the notion that
women with spiritual gifts can speak while women without such
gifts are to be silent. If you have none of the spiritual gifts
of the Spirit why would you want to speak to the church during
public devotional services, what purpose would your speaking be
for, what edification for the church would it bring?
Paul is plainly emphasizing two points in this whole chapter.
1).
Everything said must be for building up, edifying and instructing
all that are present.
2).
Everything is to be done decently and in order, no confusion is
to prevail. The only speaking with whichever gifts of the Spirit
are used, is to be for EDIFICATION. Paul has already stressed
that point, so it would be redundant for him to be in verses
34,35 expressing his view that women with only "chit-chat" talk
were to keep silent. And if that was what he wanted to say, he
could have easily used language that spelled it out clearly -
words such as: "Those women without spiritual gifts are to keep
silent, they must not even ask questions but should ask
their husbands at home."
No such words are used by Paul for the simple reason that he was
not trying to convey such a teaching as women with only
unedifying, no purpose, "six days of the week" talk were to
remain silent. The truth of the matter is what Albert
Barnes and others could see from the whole context of this
chapter, from the way Paul had systematically talked about
the use of certain spiritual gifts in public services without any
mention of male or female, then knowing that his readers would
naturally, after hearing his rules, ask about where the women
with such gifts would fit into the conducting of public
divine services, he gives his answer to that question in verses
34 and 35.
He anticipated that question (where do women with spiritual gifts
fit into conducting publicservices?).
He led up to his answer in verses 32 and 33 showing
that anyone with a gift of the Spirit is NOT A ROBOT, controlled
by the Spirit to the point where one says, "I could not help
myself, the Spirit made me do it, the Spirit made me speak."
On the contrary said Paul, the person with a Spiritual gift is in
COMPLETE CONTROL of that gift. Someone with the natural gift of
singing can control that gift, can sing or not sing as they
determine. I have the natural gift of being able to
YODEL. I can determine at any time and in any situation, in any
public meeting, to either stand (or sit) and yodel or not yodel.
The ability to yodel does not control me, I control it! So it was
in Paul's mind with any of the gifts of the Spirit - the person
having them was also able to control them, the gift did not
control the person, but the person controlled the gift.
Paul went on to show that any UN-controlled use of these
gifts (and many using them at the same time, as he had previously
mentioned) was CONFUSION, and such confusion was NOT FROM GOD -
the Lord was the author of order and peace, not confusion.
Order and peace was the hallmark of ALL the churches of the
saints. It should be clear from this that the church at Corinth
was ONE SINGLE EXCEPTION TO ALL THE OTHER CHURCHES OF GOD. They
were the "black sheep of the family" the "odd one out", the
"exception to the norm," and needed to be instructed and
corrected in the way of the Lord more fully on the matter of how
and when spiritual gifts were to be used in the public worship
hour.
After laying down all the instructions, guide lines, and rules of
using spiritual gifts in public worship, Paul then answers the
obvious question about women with such gifts. They controlled the
gift, the gifts did not control them, and as these gifts were to
be used for TEACHING, for EDIFYING all present(male, female,
young and old),
THIS WAS THE MAN'S WORK IN PUBLIC DIVINE SERVICES,
and WOMEN PERIOD, SHOULD KEEP SILENT! EVEN TO THE POINT THAT IF THEY HAD ANY QUESTIONS ON THE THINGS BEING TAUGHT, THEY SHOULD HOLD THEIR PEACE AND ASK THEIR HUSBANDS AT HOME, NOT THE MINISTER/S AFTER SERVICES, BUT THEIR HUSBANDS! THE WHOLE SPIRITUAL STRUCTURE OF GOD IS BEING TAUGHT HERE -
IN THE CHURCH AND OUT OF THE CHURCH! PLEASE NOTE THIS WELL.
IT IS NOT BEING TAUGHT IN THE CHURCHES OF GOD AS IT SHOULD BE.
The minister is not to be the answering machine for all the women
at all times. This is a lesson, this is instruction, this is
correction if you will, to ministers also.
They need to realize God wants all family men to be spiritual
head of their wives and children. Their wives and their children
need to look to them for the answers to their spiritual
questions. If they cannot answer then they need to ask the
minister/s, then instruct their wives and children.
We need to deeply LEARN that God is the God of LAW, He is the God
of ORDER, He is the God of PEACE. God the Father is Spiritual
HEAD of everyone. He is the head of Christ. Jesus said He came
not to do His own will, but the will of Him that sent Him. He
said the words that He spoke were not His own but were the words
of Him that sent Him - the Father's words. Jesus is spiritual
HEAD of every man (including all ministers). The man is spiritual
HEAD of the wife. That is what 1 Corinthians 11 and verse 3 is
all about!
By the same token we can say that the woman is spiritual HEAD of
her children (they are usually the ones that spend more time
teaching and training the children). God has set law and order
and peace within the church in the same way He has set law and
order and peace within the home. Under certain situations within
those two very important God ordained structures, there are forms
and principles and rules to follow, laid down by the Lord for the
end result of producing PEACE and not confusion.
Sometimes carnal human nature does not like the way God wants
things done, or the laws He implements, sometimes our nature
thinks they are "strange" or "unfair" or even "sexist." What we
have to believe and practice is that we do not walk by sight in
this Christian life, but by FAITH! We look through a glass darkly
now as Paul said. One day we shall see face to face - we shall
see clearly that the ways of the Lord are right and just and
good.
We must, if we are to be the children of God, and brothers and
sisters to Christ Jesus, develop and cultivate within us the VERY
MIND of Christ (Phil.2:5). And His mind always said: "Not my will
be done but your (the Father's) will be done."
FOR THOSE WHO MAY DESIRE TO STUDY THIS SUBJECT IN FULL DEPTH I
RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING TWO BOOKS:
1. MAN AND WOMAN IN BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE by James B. Hurley,
Published by Zondervan Publishing House.
2. WOMEN IN THE CHURCH by Samuele Bacchiocchi,
I do not agree with ever sentence in the above books, but their
overall teaching is I believe the truth of the matter. They are
two very scholastic works on the subject at hand.
SECOND POSTSCRIPT
If some still do not understand the specifics of 1 Cor.14:34,35
in connection with questions like: "Are women permitted to sing a
song, or read a selected portion of scripture, during public
divine services?" Then let me answer that question and also the
question about women praying during the public service.
Paul in this chapter is talking about people in the church using
their tongue to TEACH, to INSTRUCT, to EDIFY through instructions
THE WORD, the MESSAGES of the Lord.
To his mind this teaching could come through various uses of
spiritual gifts, but it was still TEACHINGS FROM God.
You may be given a REVELATION from the Lord, but it was still
teaching to edify and instruct. You may have a DOCTRINE to
expound, but it was still a teaching. You may have a PROPHECY to
elucidate on, but it was still a teaching. You may have a
PSALM (the psalms of the Bible were originally a teaching of
various truths spoken), but it was still a teaching. You may have
a TONGUE, or an INTERPRETATION, but it was still a teaching from
God.
The context in all this is TEACHING, and on that issue of
teaching the women were to remain silent in public services.
But for a woman to SING a song or to READ a selected portion of
scripture and sit down without any common or amplified
expounding, can not properly be classified as "teaching"
in the context that Paul was using to the Corinthians.
Nearly all commentators on this topic find no contradiction of
these verses in letting women sing or read scripture, in public
divine worship services.
Neither do I.
Now concerning PRAYER in divine services. Some could argue the
word prayer is not used in 1 Cor.14 and that it should not be
classified as "teaching." The last idea could be debated strongly
by both sides of the issue. I will not enter that debate because
there is a very specific verse of instruction from Paul on this
topic.
Most will not see it as a specific when reading the English
translations of the New Testament because it is hidden in the
understanding of the Greek, which was not conveyed over
into the English translations. The verse of scripture I refer to
is found in 1 Timothy 2:8.
Many of the things Paul wrote to Timothy were for the purpose
that he should know "how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the
house of God, which is the church of the living God...."(chapter
3:15, first letter). Notice the first 8 verses of chapter two.
The Greek for "I will therefore" is better rendered "It is my
direction." This was a direction of Paul inspired by the Holy
Spirit. It was not a suggestion, or a wish, or a "do if you like
to" but a DIRECTION from Paul. His direction was that MEN pray
everywhere, not just in a certain local church only. The word
"men" some would immediately say is GENERIC for "mankind." But is
that so? No it is not when you study the Greek.
Let me give you what W.E.VINE had in part, to say about this
word:
"ANER....is never used of the female sex; it stands (a) in
distinction from a woman... " (Vine's Expository Dictionary of
New Testament Words, page 706).
Paul is being VERY specific in this verse. He does not spell it
all out for us. He does not tell us here WHEN, at what times,
only the men are to pray, but there obviously WAS A TIME IN HIS
MIND THAT ONLY MEN SHOULD PRAY!
We are left to try to understand from his other writings and
teachings WHEN this time of only men praying was to be.
With what he wrote about women keeping silent in public worship
services (part study of this paper), I believe the only time then
that MEN only should do the praying must be during the service
when women are not to teach but to remain silent. I see no other
possible time for this direction to be employed other than during
the public divine service of the Sabbath days.
..................
 Written in 1981
revised and expanded in 1997
by
Keith Hunt |
No comments:
Post a Comment