The role of Women in the church has become a more controversial topic in recent days. While both men and women serve the Lord in significant ways, God did not intend men and women to function in the same capacity and have the same role. The Bible is clear that women are not to serve as ordained pastors or elders because doing so would place them in a leadership roles over men. Paul wrote, “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” (1 Timothy 2:11–14; 1 Corinthians 14:34,35).
The Role of Women in the Bible
There is a wide range of roles that the Lord has assigned to women:
- Deborah, was a judge of Israel (Judges 4:4).
- Huldah and Anna served as prophetesses (2 Chronicles 34:22; Luke 2:36).
- Women ministered to Jesus and the disciples (Matthew 28:1–10; Luke 8:3; 23:49; John 11:1–46; 12:1–8).
- Pheobe, served as a deaconess (Romans 16:1).
- Priscilla, served as an evangelist (Acts 18:26).
- Women received spiritual gifts and served others (1 Corinthians 12:27–31; Romans 12:3–8;1 Peter 4:8–11).
- Women were commanded to edify the body of Christ, which included teaching (Titus 2:4) and prophecy (Acts 2:17, 18; 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5).
- Older women taught younger women (Titus 2:3–5).
- Women ministered to children (Titus 2:3–5).
- Women ministered to the poor (Acts 9:36).
Conclusion
Thus, we can see that women served in many ways but men were assigned the role of church leadership. This does not mean that women are less capable of teaching than men; it simply means that the Lord gave both men and women different roles to play in His work.
Check out our Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
