I regularly get people leaving me messages online, in various places, telling me that it doesn't matter if what I share from the Scriptures are correct or not, I'm not allowed to share my personal Bible studies, because I'm not a man. Really?

Let us turn to what GOD says, because that's where the truth is. Amen?

Familial Authority

We are taught in Ephesians chapter five, that the family unit is a picture, or object lesson, teaching us the relationship of Christ with the church. The Trinity God-head has an authoritative order, especially in regards to Father and Son. Take a look:

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." -1 Corinthians 11:3

"The head of Christ is God." Does this make Christ inferior to God? No:

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." -Colossians 2:8-9

The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ.

Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father are all one:

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." -1 Timothy 3:16

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." -John 1:14

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." -John 1:1

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." -1 John 5:7

Just as God is the Head of Jesus, but Jesus is not inferior to God, the same is in the family. The husband is the head of the wife, but that doesn't make him better than her. These are God-given roles, and not an inferiority thing.

The Scriptures teach that the wife is to submit to her husband, and that her husband is to love her, as Christ loves the church.

Do Women Have to Submit to Men?

The Bible doesn't say in one place, not one, that women are supposed to submit to men. However, it does say this:

"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

Women are to submit to their husbands, and not another's husband. I don't have to submit to your husband, and you don't have to submit to my husband. This is a familial authoritative order, not a societal one.

Can Women Speak in the Church?

Many people immediately jump in at this point, with a resounding NO. This, my friends, is too much of a blanket statement. The Scriptures are clear that women can speak in the church, but not all the time, and there is a certain time in the church when she is to be silent.

For example, a woman can pray and prophesy in church, granted that she has her head covered:

"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 11:5

Why must her head be covered, in order to pray and prophesy in church? This is because it shows she is under the submission/headship of her husband, in the familial authoritative order:

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" -Ephesians 5:22-25

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 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. 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 11:3-6

We have seen in the Scriptures that women can pray and prophesy in the church, just as long as they have their heads covered, showing they are doing so while being under the familial authoritative headship of their husbands. The wife is representing the church, and the husband is representing Christ (see Eph. 5). In the church, this is also a reminder that just as the husband is the head of the wife, Christ is the head of the church.

Please take note that Christ is the Head of the church. Not any pastors, priests, or elders, etc.

There is a time when a woman is not to speak in the church. The next few Scripture teach us about this time, but these scriptures are also ones that are often seriously misapplied...

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 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 14:33-35

I included verse 33 above, where it says that God is not the author of confusion, because this reminds us what the topic of chapter 14 is. This topic is clearly mentioned at the end of the chapter, where Paul basically sums up, and wraps up the whole chapter in one statement, and it is this:

"Let all things be done decently and in order." -1 Corinthians 14:40

Scripture cannot contradict Scripture, therefore we know 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 can't be saying that women are to be silent in church all the time. Else, when can she pray or prophesy, which 1 Corinthians 11:5 says specifically she can do? When must women be silent in the church? The Scripture in question tells us "if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home."

When is the learning occurring during church? Well, let's peak into a Scriptural church service, and see:

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." -Acts 20:7

Scripturally, a church gathering is when Christians gather together to break bread, and listen to some preaching/teaching by an elder or pastor. This is the time the women are to keep silent.

Therefore, women are free to offer up a word from the Lord, when the church is having time to share, but she is not to shout "amen," or stand up and argue the scriptures during the teaching. If she doesn't understand the sermon, or thinks it is incorrect, she is to ask her husband when they get home.

1 Corinthians 14:33-35, quoted above, also says "but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law." "The law," is one of the titles the New Testament gives for the Old Testament. Where in "the law" is this referring to? It is the following, straight from the Torah:

"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." -Genesis 2:18

The man's help meet is the woman. She is to help the man, and he is to "rule" over her:

"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." -Genesis 3:16

The King James Translators provided an alternate translation for the above. Where the above says "and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee," the King James translators' alternate translation says "and thy desire shall be subject to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

The alternate translation helps us understand what the verse was trying to convey. The desire of the wife will be subject to her husband, because under the law, she is to be under obedience to her husband.

Under the New Covenant, the wife submitting to her husband is a joy, just as it is the church's joy to submit to Christ. See Ephesians chapter five. Also under the New Covenant, the wife can be saved from sorrow in childbearing, if she and her husband follow the steps laid out in 1 Timothy 2:15.

Some people try to use this Bible passage to say that women shouldn't ever teach the Bible, or lead any bible studies, but the context of the whole chapter is clear that this is in the church, not outside of the church gathering.

There is one more 'silence in the church' Scripture in reference to women that we need to look at, before moving on:

"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. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." -1 Timothy 2:11-15

Again, we see that the woman is to learn in silence. This too refers to during the "sermon." This Scripture goes further, and explains why the woman isn't to speak during the sermon. It says because she is not "to usurp authority over the man." Who is "the woman," and who is "the man?" The woman, and the man are referring specifically to a married couple. This is proven via context, where this Scripture goes on talking about Adam and Eve, and then says "if they continue in faith," where "they" is clearly referring to a married couple.

Now we see in the above Scripture that for a woman to speak out during the sermon, usurps the headship authority of her husband over her. As the head of the family, it is the husband's job to speak on behalf of the family, not the wife's. Remember 1 Corinthians 14 taught us about order in the church. By having one spokesperson for each family, there is order. It is right that that one spokesperson be the husband, since he is the familial authoritative head over his family. The Bible tells us that a man and woman are one, when they are married. As one, when the husband does speak up, it should be something that he and the wife already agree on, because they are one. If the husband and wife have differing doctrinal views, then they are unequally yoked, and they need to get right with God, and then with each other.

We have now looked at both 'women must be silent' Scriptures, and we saw that:

1) This is just in the church gathering, and does not say women cannot teach outside of the church gathering

2) Women are only commanded to be silent during the teaching/preaching

3) As per 1 Corinthians 11:5, we see that head covered women can pray and prophesy during the appropriate times during the church gathering, should she be lead to do so.

Women Serving in the Church

There is no command anywhere in the Bible, that says that women are not allowed to help spread and teach the Word of God. The gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12 are for ALL members of the church - which is the body of Christ - all true believers:

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." -1 Corinthians 12:13

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." -1 Corinthians 12:27-28

God is not a respecter of persons, and that means in the body of Christ, it doesn't matter if you are male or female, each part of the Body is just as important as the other. Read all of 1 Corinthians 12 to see this message clearly taught. Also, see:

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." -Galatians 3:27-28

Read carefully through the epistles of Paul, especially the first and last chapters. Notice how often, and how many women are mentioned as part of the church and body of Christ on earth.

"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea" -Romans 16:1

What is a "servant of the church?" We need to find this out, because Phebe, a sister in Christ, was one. In the Greek, the word "servant" above is "diakonos." Diakonos is translated as "minister" 20 times, "servant" 8 times, and "deacon" 3 times.

When I saw the above, I was shocked. I immediately went to 1 Timothy 3, to re-read over the qualifications of a deacon in the church. It says a deacon must be a husband of one wife, but I could see how that could be switched around the other way. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that men are not to lust after women in their hearts, or they are guilty of adultery in their hearts. Jesus did not say that women couldn't lust after men in their hearts, but we know it is meant both ways, without saying.

I wondered if this was the case for a deacon in the church. Perhaps 'husband of one wife,' also means 'wife of one husband,' as a qualification. That was looking interesting, but then another qualification is that the deacon is to 'rule their own houses well.' See 1 Timothy 3:12.

In the familial authoritative order, we are told the husband is the head of the wife, and therefore must be the head of the family. It is the husband that rules the family (see Genesis 3:16). The wife guides the house, as per 1 Timothy 5:14. There is a vast difference between ruling and guiding. This is where I think I found my answer...

Can Women be Pastors/Bishops/Elders, or Deacons in the Church?

At first glance, it looks like they can, because look at both Phebe and Priscilla below:

"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus" -Romans 16:1-3

1) Phebe is a servant (Greek - "diakonos" - deacon) of a specific church: 'The First Christian Church of Cenchrea,' if you will. In Paul's letter, he instructs the letter's recipients to receive Phebe, and to "assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of."

2) Priscilla and Aquila were married. Notice in the case above, the wife is mentioned by name before her husband. Notice also that they are both referred to as Paul's "helpers in Christ Jesus." "Helpers" here, in the Greek is "synergos," which means a 'fellow laborer.' Priscilla was therefore considered a fellow laborer right there with Paul the Apostle.

Further, if we look in Acts chapter 18, we see both Aquilla and his wife Priscilla preaching the Word of God to Apollos:

"And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." -Acts 18:24-26

How do we reconcile this? Phebe was a deacon, but one of the qualifications for the office of deacon in the church was that the person had to RULE their house well. That ruling is clearly and Scripturally in the husband's sphere and God-given role, not the woman's.

The same Greek word is used in both Romans 16:1 for "servant," and 1 Timothy 3 for "deacon." However, if we look closer in 1 Timothy chapter 3, we see a qualifying word, which tells us a type of deacon in the church:

"And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless." -1 Timothy 3:10

This is a small, yet important distinction. One can serve as a servant (deacon) of a church, and their only qualification must be:

"But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;" -Matthew 20:26

The word "minister" above, is "diakonos" - deacon. This type of deaconship is open to any gender. However, if one desires the office of deacon, then these are the qualifications - in which women clearly do not qualify under all of:

"Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." -1 Timothy 3:8-12

Here we see that being a deacon in the sense of serving others is gender blind, but serving in the office of deacon is a different story.

Women are also not to be bishops/elders/pastors, as they do not fall under all of the below qualifications:

"This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." -1 Timothy 3:1-7

Unfortunately, many men who currently hold the office of Pastor in some of today's churches also do not fall under all of the above qualifications, and should therefore step down.

Can Women Teach The Bible?

A lot of people will say "yes" to this question, and then there is a "but..." Following that "but" is usually the stipulation that it can only be older women teaching younger women. These people then point to Titus chapter two:

"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

The above doesn't say that women can only teach younger women. In fact, the above isn't in a church setting, but in an everyday life setting.

The younger women need to learn what submitting to their husbands looks like, and how to be good keepers at home, etc. This is information that older godly women are to hand down to the younger women. This is good. However, this does not stipulate in any way, shape, or form that this is all women can teach, or that they can only teach other women.

We already saw Scriptures earlier in this article, where the recipients of Paul's Romans Epistle were directed to receive Phebe as a sister in Christ, and they were to help her in any way she asked, as part of her serving the church. We saw how Aquilla and his wife Priscilla were BOTH called fellow laborers/helpers right there with Paul, and that both Aquilla AND Priscilla taught the Word of God, as is clear in Acts, where they both taught Apollos.

Women being subject to their husbands is in the familial sphere, because in the family, women are to represent the church, and the husbands are to represent Christ. The wife submits to her husband's headship, just as Christ submits to God's headship. The Bible tells us that Christ and God are equal. In fact, they, along with the Holy Spirit, are one. The husband and wife too are equal; they just have different roles. The husband rules the house, while the wife guides it. The wife submits to her husband, and the husband is to love her, as Christ loves the church.

We saw that the Scriptures teach that the only man the woman is to submit to is her own husband. She is not under the authority of any other man, other than her father, when she is a child. Just as Christ is the head of the church, the husband and wife union symbolizes this, by the husband being the head of his wife, thus the reason the wife is to practice the Christian head covering.

In the Body of Christ, it doesn't matter if you are male or female, therefore either one can teach the bible. The distinction comes in when the Body of Christ sphere intersects clearly with the familial sphere. The wife is to remain silent in church during the preaching, as the husband is the spiritual leader of the home, and therefore it is his job to speak up, not the wife's.

Outside of the ecclesia/church gathering/assembly, the wife is free to teach the bible as much as she is lead, granted that her husband is fine with it.

I'll close and conclude this article with the following Scripture about men and women in the Body of Christ as an important reminder to those who try to squelch women's work in the Body:

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." -Galatians 3:27-28