Let’s take a look at the verses that people are quick to quote to condemn women as teachers and preachers, and see if it’s true.
“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.” 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Most people are aware that the word “church” means congregation and does not refer to a building (see Romans 16:5). So it seems to indicate that women are forbidden to speak in the congregation. The answer to this misconception is in plain view. Paul states, “as the law also says”. What law is he speaking of? If we know the law, then we can understand what is being said. The “law” that Paul is speaking about is found in Genesis. (I am using capital letters to highlight pertinent areas)
“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."” Genesis 3:16
Eve had sinned. She took it upon herself under her own authority to eat the fruit and then get Adam to eat it as well, clearly overstepping her husband’s authority. Adam gave in to his wife’s authority and this reversal of roles was addressed by God, “he shall rule over you.” So, we can see that Paul was addressing a husband-wife issue of authority. A husband-wife law is quite different from a man-woman law. A man does not have authority over ALL women. If he did then there would be a lot of upset husbands. You cannot have authority over another man’s wife. I think we can all agree this is true. Therefore, a woman is not required by Law to submit to the authority of ALL men.
The word used in those verses is 'gyne' Strong’s G1135, and it can be used to mean either ‘woman’ or ‘wife’. With Paul referencing the Law given by God regarding a husband and wife, it is clear that this was meant as 'wife'. Using the words 'wife' and 'wives', the verses make more sense.
“Let your [wives] 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 [wives] to speak in church.” 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Why was Paul needing to address this? These women had inquiries but in their push for answers they were not heeding their husband’s authority. What was the result of their behavior? The verse directly before 1Corinthians 14:34-35 tells us.
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” 1 Corinthians 14:33
This was Paul’s segue, and the connecting link is ‘confusion.’ This Greek word means confusion, disturbance, and disorder. The women were contributing to the disorder in the congregation. He then defends his stance of ‘wife submission’ by indicating again that this is God’s Law and not just his opinion.
“If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you IS THE LORD’S COMMAND.” 1 Corinthians 14:37
Paul is saying that this is a Law of God, not just some chauvinistic view thought up by a domineering male. This is not an attack on women’s rights but a foundational truth of the proper structure of things. This is the structure that God made, and so it is right and correct and to be followed.
Paul did however understand that the women were hungry for understanding, which is why he offered a solution. His suggestion was to continue their learning at home, then he ends the subject with the following verse,
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40
In conclusion, a woman CAN have authority over a man but never over her HUSBAND. If this conclusion is correct, then we should be able to see this in scripture. So are there any women in the bible who ruled over men? The answer is yes.
Deborah was a woman who ruled over the entire nation of Israel.
“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, SHE JUDGED ISRAEL at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up TO HER FOR JUDGMENT.” Judges 4:4-5
If a woman must be silent in the congregation, then how could she judge? Paul knew the scriptures, he had them memorized as a requirement being trained as a pharisee prior to being commissioned by Christ. He knew a woman could hold authority over men and speak in a congregation. He was not opposing women speaking in the congregation, he was informing wives of the proper structure and conduct of a wife to her husband, according to God’s Law.
Some argue that the example of Deborah doesn’t count because this was not at the temple or in a holy congregation. So, was there a woman who spoke in the presence of men at the Temple? The answer is also yes.
“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. SHE NEVER LEFT THE TEMPLE but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God AND SPOKE ABOUT THE CHILD TO ALL WHO WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REDEMPTION OF JERUSALEM.” Luke 2:36-38
When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the temple, Simeon met them and blessed them. Anna arrives at that moment and speaks in front of everyone. Anna was devout and so was Simeon, so would she have spoken if it was not allowed? Definitely not! Again, this shows that a woman CAN speak in the congregation, and that it was not a problem with women that Paul was addressing, but wives.
The other verses that people often use to claim women cannot teach is found in Timothy.
“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 formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:11-15
Notice in these verses that Paul again specifically references Genesis 3:16 - Adam and Eve, the Law of wife-submission, and childbirth.
Once again the word, used in 1Timothy 2:11-15 for 'woman', should be 'wife'. The same applies to the word 'man' which is 'aner' Strong’s G435, it can be used as 'man' or 'husband'. If we use the words, 'husband' and 'wife', as intended then the verses make more sense.
“Let a [wife] learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a [wife] to teach or to have authority over a [husband], but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the [wife] being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:11-15
This also makes sense in that only a wife would be the one expected to have children, not all women. An unmarried woman is not expected to have children. It is quite clear that Paul is referencing wives specifically.
I have already mentioned Deborah who ruled over Israel. Was there any other women who held authority over men? Yes, most definitely.
Queen Esther demonstrated authority over the Jewish nation. But first of all, let’s look at how Queen Esther held authority over the King’s male eunuch.
“Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.” Esther 4:5
If you are familiar with Mordecai, you will remember that he was fervently obedient to the Laws of God. He was willing to die to stay obedient. Mordecai raised Esther as his own, and most certainly would not have stood idly by while she took a position of sin. So this is a strong indication that there was no issue with having authority over a man.
Queen Esther’s submission to her husband was also demonstrated when Mordecai asked her to plead for the Jewish nation before the King. Esther was distressed because she did not have authority to approach her husband whenever she wanted. Even with the fate of her entire nation approaching annihilation, she still maintained submission under the authority of her husband. She proceeded according to his authority and his instructions. (Esther 4:11-17, Esther 5:1-2)
After the conflict was resolved, Esther issued edicts.
“Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Jew, SHE WROTE WITH FULL AUTHORITY to confirm this second letter about Purim. And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their fasting and lamenting. So THE DECREE OF ESTHER confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was written in the book.” Esther 9:29-32
The verb ‘wrote’ is 3rd person singular feminine, ‘she wrote’. You can see that it was a 'decree of Esther’. She was involved in issuing a decree given to all Jews. If her authority was not lawful then not only would Mordecai not have allowed it, but the Jewish nation would have objected.
Another supporting example is that Paul gives instructions about prophets speaking in the congregation.
“Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.” 1Corinthians 14:29-31
Paul would never deny the authority of a prophet who carries the message of God. They are under the authority of God Himself. We also know that women were prophets also.
“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.” Judges 4:4
“And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had FOUR DAUGHTERS, VIRGINS, WHICH DID PROPHESY.” Acts 21:8-9
“And on My menservants AND ON MY MAIDSERVANTS I will pour out My Spirit in those days; AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY.” Acts 2:18
So if prophets were allowed to speak in the congregation, and some prophets were women, then it is logical to agree that women prophets were allowed to speak in a congregation.
Simply stated, women teachers are not in opposition to God. Women CAN teach and preach in a congregation, and hold authority over men. Women just can’t hold authority over their own husbands.
Now all these things I wrote for you to show you the truth. But for me, the answer was simply found in the fact that God commanded me to teach. God does not sin, and He would never command someone else to sin. So by this alone, I know that women can teach and speak in a congregation.
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