Should women preach?

I was asked by one of my beloved sisters and an ardent reader of my works to do justice to three topics; one of which is “should women preach or teach?”  I am dealing with this today; the answer to this covers indirectly for one of the remaining two questions.

This question has received varieties of reaction from different bible scholars. I have read some materials too on what different teachers has to say. As a bible student and Christian writer I take delight in reading. There are those who believe it is wrong for women to be allowed to preach while some argue otherwise. I am not writing to give credit to any view, but, for us to reason together on this matter looking into the word, and, as usual, be innovated!

The rift that ensues from this topic is from the words of Apostle Paul, who at one occasion gave ordinance on women remaining silent in the church and on another advised his protégé, Timothy, to also follow that model in church administration. Let’s see these places in the scriptures.

“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” 1Cor14:34

“And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man but to be in silence…”1Tim2:12

It is not an issue of debate that Paul is an ardent preacher of grace who knows and preaches expressively that man is not saved by the law: “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith” (Gal 3: 11). This dominated all of Paul’s epistle; teachings against the law towards eternal relevance. By extension, he could not be following what he vehemently preached against. It is obvious the law he refers to in 1Cor14:34 is not the law that is linked with eternal consequence but it is either a domestic, local, cultural or environmental law. But, this seems to fit more into the cultural class.

Let’s go further. Apostle Paul has been in the work of the ministry before Timothy and by the virtue of his experience, he occupies an authoritative position to give leadership counsel. He established so many churches which were encountered with varying issues from domestic, cultural to the core essence of the gospel. His instruction above to Timothy is borne out of his experience in leadership and church administration. It was his conclusion… “And I do not permit”. This is a statement that emanates from experience.  

Going back to the eleventh chapter of the book of 1Corinthins is a word from Apostle Paul to the church on women prophesying in place of public worship. Prophecy (revealing deep truths of God’s word) is one of the powerful ways of conveying God’s word to the church.

“But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved” 1Cor 11:5

He didn’t discredit the woman from being heard as long as her head is covered (submissive to her husband). So, the rift isn’t about being wrong for the woman to be heard but of submission to authority. The voice of Paul in the following chapter reveals a conflict of superiority between the men and the women- “but they are to be submissive”. This becomes more obvious when Paul says it directly to Timothy that the woman should not exercise authority over the man (1Tim 2:12). This is a church administration style he had seen to work.

Issues of eternal relevance are consistent, they don’t change.

Now, let’s do a little check on history:

Most societies in the ancient world were patriarchal; Roman and Jewish culture were no exceptions. Judaism came out of the oriental patriarchal tradition which subjects the women to being inferior to the men; the women were seen as property of the men with no rights, no role in society except child bearing, and no education.

Do you remember the miracle Jesus performed feeding 5000 men? The scriptures made us to understand only men were counted. Was it wrong to count the women? This is a cultural issue that society. It won’t change at giving your life to Christ. Ability to delineate issues of cultural implication from spiritual gives a better light to living.

The apostle didn’t grow up in isolation from his society. What changed was his Spirit reception of God’s grace of salvation, not the way to greet an elder in his community. As women came to the light of salvation, seeing the liberty in Grace, they began to express God’s gifts which is naturally strange to the established culture of the land. It is likewise possible some went too domineering with it. Hence, the call for moderation in the church to assert the leadership role of the man.

Back from the school of history:

Jesus’ word is for everyone to go into the world, not males only. We all have been made priest unto God (Rev1:6). In fact, the scriptures says it is whosoever believe that will do miracles, not the male gender that believes (Mark 16:16-18). In the first creation, woman was made from man, but at the New Birth we are all born from same source- at the cross. So, we have same access to the throne. Societies defines how gender submission is managed.  

Mind you, singing, which seems to have been apportioned to be a female gender duty in most churches today is a form of ministration which also carries teaching power. I am quite sure the men do not move out of the church at this time.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, TEACHING and admonishing one another in PSALMS and HYMNS  and SPIRITUAL SONGS, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” Col 3:16

It is purely a cultural/domestic issue which is also the case in most societies today. There are women used of God in the scriptures and in our days who are populating the kingdom. A woman received the message to go tell the disciples where to meet with Jesus after His resurrection (Mark16:7). There is no disparity in Him. One Spirit, One fellowship.

Are you a woman? Are you graced to minister to the Lord’s people? Just as the angel sent the woman to the disciples, tell us about the revelation of Him that He has shown you.

This is a cultural issue. I hope this helps.

Be Innovated.

Olufemi Ibitoye.