We women have a lot to thank Christ for. In most cultures, until recently, women were considered second class citizens, and in some places they still are. At the time of Jesus, women were not allowed to testify in court. Nor could they engage in commerce. They were the “property” of their father until they were “transferred” to their husband. The situation is reflected in the ancient synagogue prayer: ‘Blessed art thou, O Lord God, king of the universe, who hast not made me a woman.’
Yet Jesus honoured women. Many of his disciples were women. Women were entrusted with the news of His resurrection. And in the early church, there was at least one woman apostle, Junia. Some lead churches, and some were missionaries. There is a record of one giving instruction to Apollos, co-worker of Paul, by Priscilla.
And in Galatians 3:28, Paul says There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slaveg nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And in Corinthians Paul constantly says he wants male AND female to exercise the different gifts of the spirit. And in Acts 2, Peter says: This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and daughters will prophesy. (Acts 2:16-17)
So why in several parts of Corinthians and in Timothy, does Paul say that women must remain silent in church, and they must not teach or exercise authority over men?
There is so much evidence that women were leaders in the early church, but Paul wanted them to be quiet, and they couldn’t teach, or have authority over men?
If you read 1 and 2 Corinthians, you have an insight into the formation of one of the early Christian churches. People came from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and different cultural backgrounds. Some were Jews, some were Gentiles. Their meetings seem to have been rather rowdy, in fact at times they seemed like a free for all. Paul called for order. Not just from the women, but from all of them.
Paul recognised all these people were part of the Body of Christ, including the women, but he saw the need for order. He encourages ALL to take part in the service, to speak in tongues, to interpret, to prophesy, to pray, to sing, but to do so with order.
Paul wanted the women to take part in the service, but to do so with order. This is a lesson in reading passages in context, and not to cherrypick.
And of course we have 1 Tim 2: 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. But look at verse 11: 11Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. Paul, like Jesus had a higher opinion of women than the general community. Remember, women were second class citizens, but Paul thought they were capable of learning! Obviously he did not want them teaching anyone till they had learned something! And it’s still true, even today, for a woman to be able to teach a man, she has to know what she’s talking about.
So…..women do not teach men while they have nothing to teach them. She is to learn. Quietly. Then, like Priscilla teaching Apollos, she has something worthwhile to teach him!
And, in normal events, who was your first teacher? Not only in matters of spirituality, but EVERYTHING. Your MUM.
God gives gifts to all of us. Doesn’t matter whether we’re male or female, rich or poor, educated or uneducated. We are all equal in the sight of God. We ALL have jobs to do. Pastors, teachers, musicians, people who make the coffee or do the dishes. We are all commanded to proclaim the Gospel. The manner of our proclamation depends on what gifts we are given, and what opportunities we are given. The Gospel can be passed on just as well over a cup of coffee in an informal setting as in a church service from the pulpit.
We need to remember God sees us as equal, and that we are all workers for Him.
Light of Christ 