Introduction:
A. Phyllis Trible wrote an article titled, “If the Bible’s So Patriarchal, How Come I Love It?”
1. In the article she recalls a story from her childhood when a woman missionary came and taught her Sunday School class.
2. The missionary was teaching the girls about the creation account and was helping the girls notice that everything God created got better and better and more refined and more sophisticated as each day of creation progressed.
3. Then the woman missionary asked the girls, “What was the last thing God created?”
4. Immediately, in unison and with much vigor the girls said, “Man!”
5. The teacher gently corrected them, “No, the last thing God created was woman!”
B. In recent years, there has been a liberation movement in all churches, including churches of Christ.
1. The liberation has to do with the role of women in the church.
2. Proponents of this movement labels as sexist any attempt to differentiate between the roles of men and women.
3. People who hold this view promote a doctrine of sameness in which women should be allowed to exercise the exact authority as men and hold any position a man can hold.
4. This movement has called for a reinterpretation of the Bible and in some cases a rejection of any part of the Bible that is Patriarchal (families, groups or governments lead by men) or misogynistic (a hatred of women).
5. Sadly, some have even rejected the Genesis account of creation because they can’t believe in a God who would create men first and women second.
6. That’s why I really liked the story I opened with which suggests that God’s creation of things were in a positive progression culminating with God’s final and finest creation…woman!
C. Ultimately, what matters is not what you or I think about this subject, but what God thinks about it.
1. That’s why it is so important for us to look to the Bible and allow it to say what it says about this subject, whether we like it or not.
2. So, what does the Bible teach about the roles of men and women in the church? That’s what I want us to consider today.
3. In all honesty, I can’t provide an exhaustive answer to that question in one sermon, but I want to give us an overview of what the Bible says, and then look at two primary NT texts.
I. A Biblical Overview
A. First of all, the Bible reveals that God has created both men and women in His image.
1. The Bible says: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27).
B. Second, the Bible makes it clear that all who are in Christ are equal in value and spiritual benefits.
1. The Bible says: 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:26-28)
2. This is a favorite verse for those who push for removal of a differentiation of gender roles.
3. But notice that Paul is the one who wrote this passage, and he is the same apostle who will in other passages push for gender differentiation.
4. Paul’s point in this passage is that one’s gender or race does not restrict them from oneness in Christ. It doesn’t exclude them from salvation and spiritual benefits.
C. Third, the Bible reveals that God highly values women and that they have always played an important role in what God accomplishes in the world.
1. Eve, was the first wife and mother (Gen. 2:18-24, 3:16, 4:1-2).
2. Deborah, was a judge in Israel (Judges 4:1-9).
3. Ruth, was a noble person and her son was the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:13-22).
4. It was Esther whom God used to save God’s people from Haman’s evil plan (Book of Esther).
5. Consider the impact of the mothers of Isaac, Moses and Samuel and what about Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:42)?
6. Consider all the women who helped Jesus and the disciples (Mark 15:41).
7. Consider all the women who were at Jesus’ cross & tomb (John 19:25; Luke 24:9-10).
8. The first person to witness the resurrected Jesus was Mary Magdalene (Luke 20:10-18).
9. From all these examples, we can clearly see that God values women and that they have always played an important role in what God accomplishes in the world.
D. In addition to the important role of women, the Bible reveals that God has always assigned roles of primary spiritual leadership to men.
1. This is called the principle of male spiritual leadership and it is God’s plan for humankind.
2. The very order of the creation of male and female suggests important truths about male spiritual leadership. (Gen. 2)
a. God could have created both the man and the woman simultaneously, or He could have created the woman before the man.
b. The fact that God chose neither of those options, but instead created the man before the woman carries special significance.
c. The difference in sequence and source in creation of male and female suggests a functional difference in status between two equals.
d. Adam’s status as “first-created” suggests similar implications as with his “firstborn” successors – that is, that responsibility for family leadership fell upon Adam; family headship was on his shoulders.
3. In the Patriarchal Age of the Old Testament, men were always the spiritual leaders of families and offered the sacrifices to God – Cain, Able, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
4. In the Mosaic Age, only men were priests and, thus, only men led in the worship of God.
5. In the Christian Age, male spiritual leadership continues to be the command and practice.
a. Jesus chose 12 men to be the apostles.
b. The apostles chose 7 men to handle the food distribution problem in Acts 6.
c. In all accounts of public proclamation in the early church, only men do the preaching.
d. Only men are to be elders, deacons and evangelists (1 Tim. 3:1-15; 2:12; Titus 1:5-9).
6 So, God has assigned the leadership role in the church to men, just as He has in marriage.
a. God calls men to spiritual leadership and headship, but not dictatorship.
b. The bigger question is not what women can or cannot do, but what men should be doing with all their hearts and strength as spiritual men of God.
c. A nagging frustration of godly women is that there are far too many men who hold positions of spiritual responsibility without being either spiritual or responsible!
E. So that’s a quick, abbreviated overview of what the Bible says about the roles of men and women.
1. Now let’s look at two New Testament passages that make some important clarifications.
II. Important New Testament Passage - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
A. From what Paul writes to the Corinthians, it seems that they have appealed to Paul’s own teaching in order to argue for certain practices that seek to erase the distinctions between men and women in worship - practices of which Paul now expresses disapproval.
1. Paul’s reply no doubt came as a surprise to some of the Corinthians.
2. Rather than endorsing the freedom of the women to pray and prophesy without a head covering, he instructs them instead to maintain the discipline symbolized by head coverings.
B. Paul begins by praising the Corinthians for their general fidelity to “the traditions” he had delivered.
1. Paul then called attention to the order of authority and submission which heaven has established and insisted that the Christians at Corinth respect that order.
2. Look at verse 3, “Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
3. Notice that Christ is God’s equal in nature and essence, but He became subordinate to the Godhead for the sake of a particular function.
4. In the same way, women are men’s equal in nature and essence, but she is subordinate to him for the sake of a particular function.
C. One of the challenges of understanding Paul’s point in this section of 1 Corinthians 11 is the way he uses the word “head” in several ways.
1. He uses it to signify the one who has leadership over a person, and he also uses it to describe a person’s physical head of their body.
2. So let’s read the entire section 1 Cor. 11 with that in mind: 3 Now I want you to realize that the head (leader) of every man is Christ, and the head (leader) of the woman is man, and the head (leader) of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head (physical) covered dishonors his head (Christ - leader). 5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head (physical) uncovered dishonors her head (man - leader) - it is just as though her head (physical) were shaved. 6 If a woman does not cover her head (physical), she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head (physical). 7 A man ought not to cover his head (physical), since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
3 Therefore, the appropriate signs of their acceptance of God’s order of authority at Corinth would be for the man to keep his head uncovered (11:4) and for the woman to keep her head covered in worship settings (11:5).
4. The word for “veil” actually occurs nowhere in the passage, and that’s why the NIV simply uses the word “cover.”
5. So what was the cover? Was it a traditional veil? Or was it just a way of wearing her hair?
6. In light of verses 13-15, in which Paul is clearly discussing hair, and in which he affirms that a woman’s long hair is “given to her for a covering,” some interpreters have suggested that the whole passage deals not with wearing a veil, but with having the hair bound or unbound.
7. Commentators explain that to have the head ‘covered” would mean to have the hair tied up on top of the head rather than hanging loose.
8. For women to have loose hair in public, was conventionally seen as shameful, a sign associated either with prostitution, or with women caught up in the ecstatic worship practices of the cults.
9. Therefore, for men to renounce their authority in relation to women by adopting the head covering would have been just as wrong as it was wrong for women to challenge male leadership by refusing to have their head covered.
10. Paul’s main objective was to emphasize clear role distinctions and clear lines of authority and submission – men are to be the “head” and leader of women.
11. Applying this principle to ourselves in our time would be that we should maintain God’s order of things for men and women, and that there should be no blurring of the sexes.
12. Whatever are the cultural things that distinguish men from women must be maintained.
III. Important New Testament Passage – 1 Timothy 2:8-15
A. In 1 Timothy chapter 2, Paul has been addressing prayer, telling Timothy to pray for all men (vs. 1), because God desires “all men” to be saved (vs. 4).
1. The Greek word for “men” in those verses is anthropos, the generic term for all of humanity.
2. But in verse 8, however, Paul switches terms when he says that I want all men (aner) everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer.
a. The word he used here specifically denotes the male gender.
b. So, starting with verse 8, Paul begins to assign certain activities with the different sexes.
c. First, the men are to pray without anger or disputing. Paul isn’t discouraging women from praying, rather he is urging men to take the lead in the church.
B. Let’s notice what commands Paul gives for women.
1. “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” (2:9-12).”
2. So, what are God’s instructions for women? First, a woman is to wear proper dress.
a. Someone might say, “Why is God concerned about what women wear?”
b. I think what Paul is trying to do here is to draw a real contrast between the artificial glamour of the world and the true beauty of a godly life.
c. Ephesus was a wealthy commercial city, and some women there competed against each other for attention and popularity. In that day expensive hairdos arrayed with costly jewelry were an accepted way to get to the top socially and outdo others.
d. Doesn’t sound all that different from today does it?
e. So, what is Paul’s point? Godly women should adorn themselves in modest adornment.
1. Paul isn’t discouraging tasteful makeup, attractive jewelry, or nicely-arranged fashion.
2. His concern is that glitter and gaudiness not replace godliness - especially in worship!
f. The godly women is not trying to turn worship into a carnival or a fashion show.
1. She is there to worship God, not to draw attention to herself from other women or men, and she certainly does not want to be a hindrance to men or to the poor.
g. So, the first instruction to her is to wear appropriate attire and to focus on good deeds.
h. It is character, not clothes, makes a woman godly.
3. Second, She is to learn in quietness and full submission.
a. Now, before we accuse Paul of sexism or down-right meanness, let’s think about it.
b. To begin with, Judaism discouraged women from learning at all, so Paul’s instructions on how women should learn represent a shift from the exclusiveness of Judaism to inclusiveness of Christianity.
c. With that in mind, what does it mean for a woman to learn “quietly” and in “submission”?
d. Vine offers this helpful comment: “The injunction is not directed towards a surrender of mind and conscience, or the abandonment of the duty of private judgment; but that a woman should not attempt to usurp the authority of men in public.
e. This verse is not a gag rule for women to observe the moment they enter the building.
f. Rather, in the preaching service, women should focus on listening instead of preaching, of receiving instruction rather than giving it.
4. Third, a woman is to refrain from teaching or exercising authority over men.
a. There is no doubt from this passage, that the role of authoritative delivery of the Word and authoritative direction of men is restricted to men.
b. Women certainly are permitted and commanded to teach younger women (Tit 2:3-4), and children (Paul urged Timothy to remember the good instruction he received as a child from his mother and Grandmother.), but women are not to teach or have authority over men.
c. There is no example of a woman in the NT in the role of preacher, teacher, or elder.
d. The word “silent” (v. 12) is exactly the same phrase that is rendered “in quietness” in v. 11.
C. Why is This Behavior Expected?
1. On what does Paul base these distinctions?
a. Is he arbitrarily handing out these assignments to men and women?
b. Does he have a hidden agenda to keep women down?
c. The next two verses provide the basis for his instruction: “For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became the sinner.” (2:13-14)
2. First, Paul’s model for the distinctive roles for men and women is established by the Creation.
a. The roles Paul spelled out here are a product of God’s fundamental design, where Adam was formed first, and then Eve.
b. More is involved here than mere chronological priority. Paul saw the priority in time as indicative of the leadership given to the male, with the woman as a helper suitable for him.
c. Does this mean that men are inherently better or more spiritual than women? Certainly not.
d. But in God’s sovereign wisdom, he made the human pair in such a manner that it is right for men to lead and women to follow.
3. Second, Paul’s model for the distinctive roles for men and women is confirmed by the Fall.
a. When we think about the Fall, we usually think of it in connection with Adam.
b. Adam does bear responsibility for the Fall, since he is the head of the human race.
c. But we have to keep in mind that he didn’t fall first - Eve did.
d. When Eve got out from under the protection of Adam’s leadership and attempted to deal independently with the enemy, she was deceived.
e. The Fall was the result not only of disobeying God’s command, but also of violating the divinely appointed role of the sexes.
f. Eve acted independently and assumed the role of leadership, and Adam violated his role by abdicating his leadership position and following Eve’s lead.
g. Nevertheless, it is important to note that women are not more defective than men, rather we need each other and are vulnerable in different ways.
h. Therefore, male spiritual leadership is established by creation and confirmed by the Fall.
i. It is interesting to note that when people try to conclude differently about this passage, they promote the idea that these instructions were based on the cultural times of the Bible, and therefore these were temporary instructions.
j. But Paul’s point was not based on culture, rather it was based on creation.
D. In what realm of responsibility does Paul see women shining the brightest?
1. Let’s read verse 15, “But women will be saved through childbearing - if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”
2. The salvation spoken of is not salvation from sin. And it cannot refer to Eve since the future tense is used and the plural noun “they” indicates that more than one woman is in view.
3. Theologians have come up with many explanations, but the best interpretation seems to be that a woman is “saved” from wearing the label of “the one who was deceived” by performing the role God ordained for her in the first place.
4. A woman led the human race into sin, yet women can benefit mankind by replenishing it and leading children to godliness through their influence.
5. A mother’s godliness and virtue can have a profound impact on the life of her children. The rearing of children gives a woman dignity, and her contribution is invaluable.
6. She must continue in faith, love, and holiness, for only a godly mother can rear godly children.
7. Obviously, some women never marry or have children for one reason or another, but as a general rule, motherhood is one of the greatest contributions a woman can make in our world.
Conclusion: Let me conclude by giving us a number of things to think about and to practice.
A. First, these role distinctions are to be gently respected, not exaggerated, expanded or exploited.
1. The Bible doesn’t give men license to dominate women in the church or in the home.
2. Men are to be servant leaders, who lovingly lead.
3. As men and leaders, let’s be sure to recognize and employ the wonderful spring of wisdom, sensitivity and creativity of women.
B. Second, I want to encourage us to have a broader view of Christian service.
1. About not being able to teach or lead during the worship assembly, some women say, “It isn’t fair that I can’t use my talents to glorify God.”
2. But here is my question (and please don’t take offense), why is your view of Christian service so narrow that the only way you think you can serve God is during the worship assembly?
3. There are many, many ways that a woman, with a talent for speaking, leadership and a passionate love for the Lord, can serve and glorify God outside of the worship service.
4. So many godly women I know find countless ways to use their talents to serve the Lord outside of the worship assembly.
5. We must broaden our view of Christian service and realize that 99% of Christian life and service takes place outside of the worship assembly.
C. Third, I want to encourage us to have a deeper respect for meekness and submission.
1. Our culture says “submission” is a dirty word.
2. Our culture says that a doctrine, which teaches people to submit, is oppressive and archaic.
3. If this is true, then we must throw out every bit of Christian doctrine, because submission is what the New Testament is all about.
4. The New Testament is particularly about the submission of Christ.
a. It was Jesus Himself who said to God, “Not my will, but your will be done.” (Mt. 26:39)
b. He became a submissive servant by submitting to crucifixion (see Philippians 2:1-11).
c. He taught that the seat of greatness is not on a throne or in the spotlight, but on the floor, washing someone’s feet (see John 13).
d. If we can’t accept this teaching, then we don’t yet understand Christianity.
5. Men and women both have countless opportunities to practice submission and meekness, but women have a greater opportunity.
a. Which means they are due greater honor.
b. Because women may have the talent and ability to teach, yet remain submissively silent, they are due greater honor in the church than the one who teaches.
c. A woman’s submission to her husband is a picture of the church’s submission to Christ (Eph. 5:22-33).
d. The best way for a Christian woman to influence her unbelieving husband is by modeling respect and submission (1 Peter 3:1-2).
6. As is often said, “Meekness is not weakness.”
a. Women are not being mistreated when the Lord asks them to take on a submissive role in the assembly and in their marriages.
b. In fact, you might think of it in a similar way to a husband opening a door for his wife or even carrying her over a threshold.
c. It is not done to say she is incapable of doing these things; rather, she is served, loved, and honored by allowing someone else to do them for her.
E. Fourth, I want to encourage us to have a deeper respect for wives and mothers.
1. Our culture says it is demeaning to women to say they should be wives and mothers instead of preachers.
2. When they say this, they are implicitly saying the role of preacher is more important and significant than the role of a wife and mother.
3. People speak with disdain when they ask, “So, you’re saying I can just be a wife and a mom?”
4. With all due respect, the word “just” has no place in that sentence.
5. My wife does a job I cannot do.
a. She gave birth to our daughters and she mothers them every day. I cannot be their mother.
b. As my girls have grown up to be faithful Christians, they owe a great deal to their mother.
6. I believe the role of wife and mother is a more important role than the role of preacher.
7. Not every man will be a preacher and not every woman will be a wife or mother.
8. But that does not change the fact that in order to be qualified to be a mother, you must be a woman. And in order to be qualified to teach in the worship assembly, you must be a man.
9. That is no more demeaning to a woman than it is to a man.
10. It celebrates two of our unique roles within the kingdom of God.
E. Finally, our acceptance of and obedience to God’s Word regarding gender roles will help the church maintain its distinctiveness and effectiveness.
1. God’s plan for the roles of men and women is a perfect one.
2. The church must not take its direction from the world – not if we are going to continue to be the church that Jesus built – the church that belongs to Christ.
3. God wants Christian men and women to live in a way that reflects His character, His holiness, His Word and Will - regardless of what the world says.
4. Listening to the world leads to confusion and consequences, but listening to the Lord leads to order and peace and blessing.
5. In God’s design and plan, men and women are equal in value, but have different roles.
6. Let’s be like Jesus, who submitted Himself to God saying, “Not my will, but your will be done.”
Resources:
“I’m Tired of People Demeaning Women in the Church” article by Wes McAdams, http://www.radicallychristian.com/im-tired-of-people-demeaning-women-in-the-church
