Do I have any right to be typing up my personal Bible studies into articles, and sharing them on my website? Am I Scripturally allowed to become a pastor? Do I have gifts of the Spirit? These questions, and more, are clearly answered in the Word of God.

Women Pastors?

Are women allowed to be pastors? Some people allude to 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-14, and say those tell us that women can't be pastors. However, if you read both of those passages in context, that is not what they are referring to. Therefore, if one were to base their belief on women not being allowed to pastor a church on the above passages, it would be a weak argument. The two above mentioned passages are in reference to the woman being silent in church, so as not to usurp her husband's authority, and so as not to cause a commotion. The only way these two Scriptures could be used to tell a woman she can't be a pastor, is under the context that if she became a pastor, she would become the spiritual head over her husband. Again, that is an indirect and weak argument.

I do believe women are not supposed to be pastors, however. I don't base that belief by using the two above-mentioned passages as my main textual proof. Instead, I use the following Scriptures:

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" -1 Timothy 3:2

"Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." -1 Timothy 3:12

A bishop, which is a pastor, is to be "the husband of one wife." The deacons, which are church elders, are to be "the husbands of one wife."

A woman can never be a husband, because she is a woman. Clearly, it is understood that pastors and elders in the church are to be men of God, not women of God. Just like women and men have different roles in the home, they also have different roles in the church.

Women Speaking in Church?

Are women allowed to speak in church? Now is the time to pull out the two above passages mentioned earlier, and take a close look:

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." -1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Notice I underlined "your women." Your women, means the wives of husbands. I am my husband's woman, but I am not anyone else's woman. Some could argue that "your women" means the women of the church, however we know this is not what is meant here, because it also says "let them ask their husbands at home." I can't think of one place in the Scriptures, where it refers to women of the church as "your women." Clearly this is referring to wives of husbands. What kind of speaking are women not permitted to do? We can also gather that from the conext, where we see "if they will learn any thing," and "let them ask their husbands at home." This means women are not to ask questions, talk, or discuss the sermon at church. They are to keep their comments and questions to themselves until they get home, and then they can discuss it with their husbands, and ask their questions.

Why would such a seemingly trivial command be in the Bible? I think it is because it's in woman's nature to catch a "mistake," or to question something she doesn't understand. The Bible is clear that order is to be kept in the church, and if women were to give in to that natural urge to correct, and ask questions, then that could bring disorder to the church service. If you are afraid of forgetting what you want to ask your husband when you get home, then carry a little notebook and pen in your purse, and quickly jot it down at church, so that you can look at it, and it can jog your memory when you arrive home.

Notice another word I bolded in the above passage - "shame." It is a shame for women to speak in the church. It is also a shame for women to have short hair, and not have their heads covered with a headcovering:

"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered." -1 Corinthians 11:5-6

Yes, the headcovering is literal, and yes, it is for today. If you have not studied this issue, you need to. Click here to read a study article I wrote on this pertinent subject.

Now, let us take a look at another silence Scripture, pertaining to women:

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." -1 Timothy 2:11-14

Again, we see this is referring to the woman being under the subjection of her husband and staying silent in church. We have "the woman," and "the man," showing us this is referring to the same thing as 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. The woman is to learn in silence. No speaking out in church. We get a bit more info here, as to why this is to be the rule. Eve was the one deceived by the serpent, and gave the fruit to Adam to eat. Elsewhere in the Bible, we see other controlling women who helped to lead their husbands astray, such as Jezebel leading Ahab around, and corrupting him more than he was, to begin with.

Women tend to be the "more spiritual one" in many families. Some women complain that their husbands don't read the Bible enough, they don't go to church enough, they aren't leading family Bible studies, etc. Women have the temptation to act as Eve and Jezebel, and take over the reigns. Women are reminded in the Scriptures to put that carnal drive down. Instead, we are to have a meek and quiet spirit:

"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." -1 Peter 3:1-4

If you have an Eve or Jezebel tendency, to take over, especially when it comes to things of God, keep the above passage of Scripture in mind, and follow it. We are to be subject to our husbands. If our husbands are not obeying the word of God, then we wives are not to take over, but instead, win them by our conversation. Now, these days, "conversation" means talking back and forth with someone. That is not what it meant in the Bible. In the Scriptures, "conversation" means not just how we verbally converse, but how we act, and how we interact with the world, and the people around us. It is our complete manner in life. The Christian conversation is synonymous with the Christian walk.

If your husband isn't saved, or is backslidden, it is not your job to preach to him. It is your job to be a good example of a godly Christian, and to let your light shine. If he doesn't know the Gospel message, or you are not sure if he does or not, then tell it to him, but make sure it's when he is in a mood to listen, and don't preach at him.

Now, we've seen above that women are to be silent in the church. However, there are two exceptions, if they are followed Scripturally. Women may prophesy and pray in and out of church, but they MUST do it with their heads covered:

"Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven." -1 Corinthians 11:4-5

If a woman is under the subjection of her husband, and she has a head covering on, which shows her subjection, then she may pray or prophesy in church. However, she is still not to be a pastor or elder.

Women's Work in the Church

We see instances of women prophets in both testaments. For example, there was:

Miriam the prophetess - Exodus 15:20

Deborah, a prophetess - Judges 4:4

Huldah the prophetess - 2 Kings 22:14

Isaiah's wife - Isaiah 8:8

Anna, a prophetess - Luke 2:36

There were also false prophet women, such as the Jezebel mentioned in Revelation 2:20

In the home, the woman's work is to take care of her husband, children, and home. In the church, if the woman is a prophetess, she may exercise this gift, if she has her head covered. In the church, the woman can pray, if her head is covered. Further, women are suited to the area of support, such as bringing food for potlucks, baking cookies for special church functions, taking meals to women who just had children, and more.

Women's Work Outside of the Church

Outside of the church, women can, as mentioned above, cook and bake for others in need, who are sick, or who just had a baby. She can sew baby quilts and such gifts for those in need, or just to bless a friend. She is to be an example of a godly woman to others. She is to teach younger Christian women how to follow their roles:

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." -Titus 2:3-5

Some take the above passage to mean that women are not allowed to share in Bible studies with others, except younger women and children. Take a look at the context for the above passage. This isn't in regards to Bible study, but is clearly regarding teaching younger women how to be good homemakers, and live within their God-given role.

Nowhere does the Bible say women can't share what they've learned from the Bible with others. They can share it with their husbands, their friends, their children, etc. Women are not less than men in society. Women have no less rights. Men have the God-given right to do the Great Commission, and to teach and learn proper doctrine via the Scriptures with one another, and women have the same right.

In the church, women are to be head covered and silent, however they may pray and prophesy, if they are head covered, and doing so under the headship of their husbands. In the home, the husband is the head of the family. The family authoritative order is Christ --> Husband --> Wife --> Children. There is nothing wrong or degrading about that. When there is a disagreement, and a final decision must be made on something, God put your husband in the place of having the final word. This keeps order in the family, just as women being silent in the church helps to keep order in the church.

Sisters, if you have a drive or calling from the Lord to share what you've learned from the Bible with others, then go for it. Just don't usurp your husband's authority - and don't speak out in the church.

I've had people say, over the years, that I shouldn't write and share my Bible study articles, yet there is nothing in the Bible that says I can't. I am under my husband, HE is my head, and not any other man:

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." -Ephesians 5:22

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." -Colossians 3:18

"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives" -1 Peter 3:1

My blog/website, and all of it's content is with the blessing of my husband, and is done under his headship.

What About Deborah?

I do not believe women should run for office, or be president. In this case, this would put the woman as head (in authority) over her husband. If she is not married, it puts her as head of her possible future husband. Even if she never marries, it sets a bad example for those of use who are or will marry.

Some people will point to Deborah in the Old Testament, and say that since she was a judge of Israel for a time, that shows that it's okay for women to be political leaders and such. However, you need to look closer at Deborah, and you'll see that was not the message, at all.

"And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time." -Judges 4:1-4

Notice it doesn't say that God called Deborah to be the judge at that time. It appears that Israel chose her:

"And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment." -Judges 4:5

Deborah tried to send Barak, but he insisted she go with him:

"And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go." -Judges 4:6-8

It can be inferred from the above that Barak was meant to be the judge, and not Deborah. However, Israel went to Deborah, and when Deborah tried to get Barak to go, he insisted she go with him.

Now, take a look at the 'faith honor roll' in Hebrews chapter 11. Deborah isn't mentioned, but Barak is:

"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets" -Hebrews 11:32

I believe Barak was supposed to be the judge, and perhaps Deborah would be in the place of support, just as long as it was under the headship of her husband, Lapidoth.

Conclusion

In concluding, I believe the Bible to teach that women should not be pastors or elders in the church, and they are not to be in political office, or in a position where she is in some sort of authority over her husband. However, there is nothing in the Bible that says women can't study the Bible, and share their findings with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Nor does the Bible say women are not allowed to spread the Gospel. Women have a work in the ministry to do as well. We are called to things in the Body, just as men are. The Body of Christ is not a church building, it is made up of all born again Christians around the world. A church building is just a place of worship, fellowship, and some study, where members of the Body of Christ gather together.

Sisters in Christ: May we let our lights shine, have oil in our lamps, and multiply our talents from and for God.