Woman’s Work in the Church
by James W. Boyd
The belief and teaching that says men and women are to be equal in all matters is as foolish as contending that up is the same as down, and right is as proper as left. God describes their roles, not man.
No religion or philosophy places womanhood on the pedestal as does the religion of Jesus Christ. This is because the faith of which Christ is the author places a woman where God intended her to be when He created her. After God had created everything else, including the man, He made a very special creation to be a “help” that was “meet” or suitable for man. He created her with distinctive abilities and roles that would be peculiar to her and could not be accomplished by any other of all His creations. Her role was designated as distinctive, one of honor, nobility, when it is rightly understood and performed. Her position in life is God-ordained. Whereas paganism, modernism, heathenism, atheism, have reduced women to be nothing more than property, a slave, an instrument to be used and discarded, only the bearer of children. Christ restored her to the side of man where God had originally placed her.
Women Are Exceptional
The role of women has been exceptional in the religion of Christ. Jesus was born of a virgin. Among His disciples were many women. The last to leave the cross were women. The first to His tomb were women. Women showed respect for Him in His burial.
Since the Gospel is for all, we would expect, and we find, women in the church of the Lord. If it were not for the spirituality of Christian women, the church would not be as strong as it is, nor would it even exist in many places. Women, like their brothers in Christ, have a mission, a work, a role in the Lord’s church. This lesson proposes considering what her work entails.
There Are Limitations
We begin by observing a teaching that must be remembered throughout the study of the woman’s role in the church. Whether people like it or not, whether it suits their thinking or not, God has placed certain limitations on the work of women in the church. Those who believe in God and accept His word and wisdom will not attempt to set the Lord’s will aside. In our world, we often hear about freedom, the emancipation of women, equal rights, and similar concepts. None who is informed would deny that there has been much abuse of women in many areas where there ought to be fairness and equality, such as equal pay for equal work, the right to vote, the right to own property, etc. But the doctrine that says that men and women are to be equal in all matters is as foolish as contending that up is the same as down, and right is as proper as left. Some have taken this idea of across-the-board equality into the realm of religion. But it does not exist in the realm of true New Testament Christianity. Christianity places both men and women in the roles for which God created them. We rather think God knows best for that which He designed and brought into being. Some in the church have evidently tired of standing with God in this matter. A few years ago, one church bulletin had an article written by a woman in that congregation that contended the role of women in the church is exactly the same as the role of men, no more and no less. (Gospel Advocate, 1974, p.649). The Highland church in Abilene, Texas, conducts a radio program that includes instrumental music and with women doing much of the preaching. All of this might be acceptable in the denominational world, but not if you respect the word of God.
Not to Assume Authority
What are the limitations that God has placed on women? “Let the women 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” (I Timothy 2:11-12). This is simply stated and with apostolic authority. She is not to assume a position of authority or leadership over the man. Whatever she does must be done in consideration of this restriction. She is not to take dominion over man, nor allow herself to be involved in circumstances where she appears to have abandoned the required subjection to man.
God said to the woman that the man would rule over her (Genesis 3:16). “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” (I Corinthians 11:3). The reason for this ranking is given in I Timothy 2:13-14, “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” This may not suit you. You may think you know better than God as to how things ought to be. However, people have a history of showing themselves to be fools when they challenge the wisdom of God. It is when men and women alike will submit to God’s will that things are as they ought to be. Deviation from God’s word is to sin against God.
Whether people like it or not, whether it suits their thinking or not, God has placed certain limitations on the work of women in the church.
Worship
Because women are Christians, they are to worship just as men are. They are to sing, pray, partake of the Lord’s supper, give, and study God’s word. However, there is no authority to set aside God’s limitations and allow her to take the lead in these activities. Some folks have the distorted idea that unless you are leading, you are not doing anything. A man who does not take the lead in worship still worships. So does the woman. The place and circumstance of that worship do not set aside what God has said. By this, I mean that she must respect God’s limitations, whether in a public assembly, a home devotional, at the campground, or wherever and whenever both men and women are present; she must not assume authority over him.
We see one application of this principle even in Corinth, and the subject of speaking in tongues. “Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the church” (I Corinthians 14:34-35). We are aware that this refers to a very special kind of service where miraculous gifts were used. We are aware that not all women have husbands from whom they can seek information. But we are also aware that the limitations and restrictions that Paul wrote about in I Timothy 2 were applied even to this situation in I Corinthians 14. Such a rule is repugnant to the modern, the liberals, the untaught and misguided innovators who think they know better than God. But such is given by God for her protection, her dignity, her uniqueness, not for her suppression.
Denominations and some liberal members of the church advocate women preachers, women song leaders, and women leading in prayer in the presence of men. But we must recall that not everybody has a love for the truth either. Some contend that the only restriction on women is that they cannot be lady elders (Mission Magazine), but anything else is open to them.
The influence of this false doctrine is being seen in gatherings of young people where girls do the same as boys in worship. The young are often innocently misled because they are influenced by digressive adults. But they are in error. Some have contended that a woman can do whatever the elders will allow. They fail to appreciate the fact that even the elders are not permitted to set aside divine law. Advocates of such error cannot produce Biblical authority for what they preach and practice in this matter. It is a potential cause of division and another step in the church's descent into denominational apostasy.
Teach
Women are to teach. Titus 2:3-5 tells us they are to teach young women. Obviously, if a parent, they are to teach children as did Eunice and Lois (II Timothy 1:5). Teaching children, boys or girls, does not take authority from the man. No men are present. Women teaching in “bus programs” in the presence of men, and with puppets, etc., are violations of this biblical teaching.
Even under certain conditions, a woman can teach a man, as Priscilla and her husband Aquila together taught Apollos the way of the Lord more perfectly. She did this without assuming authority over him. A wife can teach her husband and still be subject to him. It would be impossible for a woman to conduct a public assembly without usurping authority, however.
However, the role of women in teaching is not determined solely by whether it is public or private. A ladies’ class may be considered public in that all ladies are invited. A woman is not to privately take authority over a man. The restriction is based on her respect for the man’s authority over her, and she is not to usurp that under any circumstances. For this reason, she cannot lead songs, lead in prayer, preach, etc., in the presence of men. Women did not do so in the New Testament church, and it was not simply because of the customs of the times. It was apostolic teaching behind it.
Philip had four daughters who prophesied. Prophesying means teaching. There is no indication of any violation of God’s limitations on their part. Many women teach under circumstances harmonious with God’s law and are careful to observe God’s will while doing so. The Today’s English Version of the New Testament reveals another of its many perversions when it says that Philip’s daughters preached. That is not what they did. Preaching is a public proclamation of the word. They did not do so unless they violated the apostle’s instructions.
Denominations and some liberal members of the church advocate women preachers, women song leaders, and women leading in prayer in the presence of men.
Serve
Women are to serve. In Acts 9, we read of Dorcas, a woman full of good works and alms deeds (Acts 9:36). When she died and Peter was called, “When he was come they brought him into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and the garments which she had made, while she was with them” (Acts 9:39).
There are many acts of service for which she is especially adept, such as providing benevolent aid, caring for the sick, offering home visitation, hospitality, and showing sympathy. She is to bring up her children (I Timothy 3:5), a task that has become repulsive to many modern women who prefer the so-called glamour of a career outside the home. The most glorious career a woman can have is to serve her home as wife and mother. This is that for which she was especially made. How people can degrade this labor of love as some do simply shows their contempt for the dignity of homemaking and their contempt for God. Peter’s mother-in-law rendered service to others.
Phebe (Romans 16:1) was referred to as a servant of the church. The word “servant” can also be translated as “deaconess.” But she is not a female deacon or the counterpart of a male deacon. The office of a deacon is a permanent position indicating a special appointment in an office. Not so with women who serve the church. Again, one does not have to hold an official position to serve as God would have them serve.
Examples
Women are to be Christ-like examples in living properly. They are to be discreet and modest in their apparel (I Timothy 2:9). This is a lost art with some women, even in the church. They are so impressed by the fashions of a sinful world that they fall for whatever style and fashion hits the clothing market, whether it is modest or not. Christian women are not governed by the sinful things of this world. She can be attractive and stylish without being sinful. Christian women have always managed to do that.
She is to be an example in her behavior. “Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands, that if any obey not the word, they may also without the word be won by the conversation (manner of life) 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 in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands” (I Peter 3:1-5).
She is to be an example of proper submission to her husband as Sarah was before Abraham, “Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement” (I Peter 3:6). She is to be an example of faith, as were those holy women of old time (Hebrews 1; I Peter 3:5).
Help to Her Husband
If a woman is married, she is to serve God by being a help meet to her husband (Genesis 2:18). For this, she was created. When a woman is the proper help to her husband, she is fulfilling her prime purpose. The word “meet” means “suitable.” Nothing else of God’s creation was suitable for man, so He especially created woman. She does not take dominion over her husband, nor does she assume leadership in the home or church, but is a help to him. We all need to keep the distinction between being the head and being the help that is suited. It is Christ’s will that the husband be the head of the wife as Christ is head of the church (Ephesians 5:23).
Having pointed out the limitation God placed upon her, and telling why, we read further in I Timothy 2:15, “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” There are various interpretations that people give to this verse. Some say it refers to the birth of the Savior by Mary. Certainly, we are saved by the One born unto Mary. However, that was an event of the past, and Paul says “is”, which is a present tense. It does not mean that physically bearing a child will produce spiritual salvation for the woman. Many women who are very ungodly have borne children. Furthermore, some of the most godly women in the Bible, and in our time, have never borne children.
The restriction is based on her respect for the man’s authority over her, and she is not to usurp that under any circumstances. For this reason, she cannot lead songs, lead in prayer, preach, etc., in the presence of men.
“Childbearing”
What makes more sense is to consider the word “childbearing” as representative of the distinctive role of women, encompassing the entirety of their role. Paul is saying, “If the woman is what she is supposed to be, she shall be saved.” She was created after Adam, and she sinned first, but salvation can belong to her “if” she does what she is to do. Peter wrote, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered” (I Peter 3:7). She, like her husband, is a soul that is to be saved. She is also an heir of God and has been offered eternal life through Christ. She can be saved when and if she does what God wants women to do.
The role of women in the church is not different from that of men in many instances, except in the limitation to which we have referred. She is to worship, teach, serve, live properly, be a good example, a good help for her husband, perform the wifely duties to husband and children, and fulfill that special role for which she was created.
No Apostles Were Women
Significantly, none of the apostles were women. We never read of women preachers, elders, deacons, or public proclaimers. Men are told to pray everywhere, but not women (I Timothy 2:8). There are places and circumstances in which she is not to lead in prayer.
Christians, loving God and respecting women, do not wish to place women in a role for which God never created her. But all want women to be in Christ. When Paul wrote, “there is neither male nor female ... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28), he was not teaching that men and women are alike in all respects, or that they all have the same role and function, and their roles are interchangeable. He taught that the woman and the man are spiritual creatures, and they can both be in Christ, where there is salvation. Whether one is male or female makes no difference when it comes to benefiting from the sacrifice of the Son of God.
