INTRODUCTION

The Bible speaks of how women are to conduct themselves in worship.

‘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, for Adam was formed first, then Eve.’ 1 Corinthians 14:34-36

Why did God place these limitations on the woman? The Bible explains why women are to keep silent and why they are not permitted to speak in the worship of the church. It was because ‘Adam was formed first, then Eve.’

God could have created the woman first, or He could have created the man and woman simultaneously. But God’s creation of man first was to show the authority of the man and the submission of the woman. This is the way God has specified that it will be, 1 Corinthians 11:3 / Genesis 3:16.

The reason women are to be submissive and not speak in the worship of the church is that God has specified that the man is the head of the woman and is to rule over the woman. Many people do not approve of what God has done, but this is still God’s business, Romans 9:20. Who are we to question God?

‘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 first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being deceived, fell into transgression.’ 1 Timothy 2:11-14

God’s Word is very clear. It says it is not to be permitted. In other words, it is forbidden. When we do things that are forbidden by God, it is sin. It is sin which separates us from God, and sin will cause us to be lost eternally.

Here we see what happened when Eve took the spiritual leadership over her husband and what happened when Adam failed to exercise spiritual leadership over his wife. Because of this, Satan was able to introduce sin into the world.

During the worship of the church, women are not permitted by the Lord to preach, lead prayer or lead singing. This does not preclude women from singing in the worship service or teaching children in the Bible classes. But they are not to take a leading role over men in the worship service. This command of God is not hard to understand. But some still want to ignore it and do what seems right in their own eyes.

Again, this does not prohibit women from teaching children in the Bible classes, 2 Timothy 3:15. How was Timothy taught the scriptures? He was taught then by his mother and grandmother, 2 Timothy 1:5. Women can play a vital role in teaching children in Bible classes.

Women are not inferior to men, but the difference is a matter of function as designed by God. This is the way that God chose for it to be. God intends for women to be subordinate to men in worship. When a woman gets up before the church with men present to teach, preach, lead prayer, or lead singing, she is in violation of what God has commanded. She is perverting the worship of God.

As a result of this rebellion, God is not worshipped in spirit and in truth. Worship becomes vain or useless when we follow the desires of men instead of what God wants. For us to ignore what God has said, on this matter or any other, is spiritual anarchy and will have horrible consequences.

THE ROLE OF A WOMAN

My wife always muses on me when people start to talk about the role of a woman in the church, she always says, ‘as a woman, a wife and a mother, God has given me enough responsibilities to be getting on with.’

One of the problems of discussing women’s roles within the church is that the focus is almost always on what they can’t do, rather than what they can do and should be doing within the body of Christ. And make no mistake about it, God has called women to serve and use their gifts for His glory.

The New Testament authorises women a domain of authority within the home; younger widows are advised to marry, bear children, and ‘rule the household,’ 1 Timothy 5:14. In Philippians 4:2-3, Paul comments that Euodia and Syntyche ‘laboured’ with him in the Gospel; he calls them, along with others, his ‘fellow-workers.’

Countless Christian women have assisted Gospel preachers in numerous ways without ever having become public preachers themselves. Paul mentioned to the church in Rome that Aquila and Priscilla put their necks on the line for the Apostle Paul, Romans 16:4.

You will also notice when you read your Bible that women are nowhere restricted from proclaiming the Gospel to the lost, Acts 18:24-26. Women are encouraged to teach other women, Titus 2:3-5.

When you read your Bible, you will see that women are nowhere restricted from teaching children. The truth of the matter is that women seem to excel, far beyond men, in some areas.

When it comes to using their gifts, they are great communicators, wonderful counsellors, very hospitable and great listeners. God’s women make a huge and important contribution to the kingdom of Christ on earth.

Whether they are continuing steadfastly in prayer, Acts 1:14, doing good works and charities deeds, Acts 9:36, showing hospitality, Acts 12:12 / Acts 16:14 / 1 Timothy 5:10, teaching the Word in harmony with God’s Word, Acts 18:26 / Titus 2:3-4, being good wives, Proverbs 31:10-31, raising godly children, 2 Timothy 1:5 / 2 Timothy 3:14-15, or accomplishing various other commendable tasks.

Ladies, you are such a blessing to any congregation and your acts of service are much appreciated, even though they go unnoticed at times. You are usually the backbone of any congregation, which keeps things ticking over in the background. And please understand this, you should see these restrictions from the spiritual teaching authority over men, not as a punishment but as a refocusing of the ministries, skills, and gifts God has blessed you with.