Women

Does The Bible Allow Women Deacons?

Women Deacons

Can women serve as deacons? Does the Bible have anything to say about women deacons? As a matter of fact, the New Testament does mention a woman who was a deacon:

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. (Rom. 16:1 NIV)

At first glance, one might conclude from this verse that the Bible authorizes women deacons. However, we’d be irresponsible Bible students if we were to jump to that conclusion just from reading this verse.

Most English translations do not use the word deacon in Romans 16:1. Instead, they use servant which is what the word deacon actually means. If English Bibles were consistent in translation, we’d never see the word deacon in the Bible; we’d only see servant. So, was Phoebe a servant in the same sense that all Christians are servants of God? Or, was Phoebe specifically appointed to be a designated servant in the church (like in Acts 6)?

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in 1 Timothy, Church Leadership, Women

What Does The Bible Say About Women Pastors?

women pastors

Is the practice of appointing women pastors biblical? Paul said, “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1 NIV). There are many who desire the job, but desiring the task is not the only requirement. Paul gives a list of traits in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 that those who desire the job must possess.

The Bible authorizes women to do much more in the church than church leaders have allowed them to do. Women have traditionally been prevented from teaching men because of a misunderstanding of 1 Cor 14:34-35 and 1 Tim 2:11-14. However, these passages do not mean what some think they mean. In fact, the Bible does not prohibit women from teaching men

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in 1 Timothy, Church Leadership, Preaching, Women

“Women Are To Keep Silent In The Churches”

Keep Silent

If 1 Timothy 2:11-15 isn’t a prohibition against women teaching or having leadership roles in the church, then surely 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is a prohibition since it tells women to keep silent, right?

34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (1 Cor. 14:34–35 ESV)

As with 1 Timothy 2:11-15, this passage has historically been understood to say that women cannot speak in a church assembly. Although this interpretation has been debunked in recent decades, there are still lots of Christians who think it is sinful for women to speak in the church assembly. Like most verses that Christians take out of context, there is more to 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 than meets the eye. 

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Women

Does The Bible Really Say A Woman Is Not Permitted To Teach A Man?, Part 2

Not Permitted To Teach

In the previous post we noted six things that are vital to a proper understanding of Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:11-14. It would be best if you read part 1 before reading this post. Does the Bible really say a woman is not permitted to teach a man? Let’s put the pieces together and see where they lead.

12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Tim. 2:12–14 ESV)

This passage is not about women teaching men, but our English translations certainly make it appear this way. This passage is not about women teaching men in the church. Neither is it about women serving in positions of authority in the church. In fact, the church assembly isn’t found in the context of 1 Timothy at all.

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in 1 Timothy, Women

Does The Bible Really Say A Woman Is Not Permitted To Teach A Man?, Part 1

Teach A Man

12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Tim. 2:12–14 ESV)

This is one of the most misunderstood and abused passages in the entire Bible. It has been misinterpreted and misapplied for centuries leading to absurd, inconsistent, and even cruel practices directed toward women. The way in which this passage has been translated into English has contributed greatly to the problem. 

1 Timothy 2:10-14, at first glance, appears to be very straight forward. However, it requires more than just a casual reading. The passage is multi-layered and therefore, it is best approached like peeling an onion: uncovering one layer at a time. There is nothing difficult in these layers. Nevertheless, there are clues that are typically overlooked which are vital if we are to properly understand what Paul is communicating. Once the fundamentals of the passage are understood, it almost interprets itself. 

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in 1 Timothy, Women