The role of women in society has changed dramatically in recent years.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some changes have been good, but many have not.\u00a0 Societal changes eventually filter into the church.\u00a0 Renewed discussion is occurring on this issue, and some are contending for an expanded role for women in the church.\u00a0 Among many denominations, women preachers are commonplace.\u00a0 In the past, a woman minister moving into town might have attracted media attention, but today that is not the case.<\/p>\n
What does the Bible teach about the role of women in the church?\u00a0 The teaching of the Scriptures is all that really matters (Galatians 1:6-10; Revelation 22:18-19; II John 9), and societal changes should not influence our teaching and practice.\u00a0 God’s Word teaches that women have an important role in teaching, but\u00a0also that\u00a0their role is\u00a0<\/em>different<\/em><\/u> from men’s<\/em>.<\/p>\n Matthew 28:18-20\u00a0records the Great Commission given to the Apostles.\u00a0 From this, we learn that they were to “teach all nations<\/em>,” to baptize those taught, and then to\u00a0teach those baptized<\/em>\u00a0to\u00a0“observe all things”<\/em>\u00a0which Christ had commanded them.\u00a0 A part of what Christ taught them was to\u00a0go and teach<\/em>, so all of those baptized would have the responsibility of teaching.\u00a0 This would include women.\u00a0 However,\u00a0as we will see later, some limitations are placed on women<\/strong>, and these must be taken into consideration (I Timothy 2:11-12; I Corinthians 14:34-35).\u00a0 Nevertheless, they have a responsibility to teach because of the Commission.<\/p>\n Another passage to consider is II Timothy 2:2. \u00a0Here, Paul told Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.<\/em>”\u00a0 Timothy was to take God’s Word (which he had heard from Paul) and teach it to “faithful men<\/em>” who would then be able to teach others.\u00a0 Since the word “men<\/em>” is used, how does this pertain to women teaching?\u00a0 The answer lies with the Greek language.\u00a0 The word found here is not the word\u00a0“aner,”<\/em>\u00a0which means males, but the word “anthropois,” which refers to\u00a0mankind<\/em>.\u00a0 So, men and women were to be taught, and they in turn would be able to teach others.\u00a0 Thus, II Timothy 2:2 authorizes women to teach God’s Word.<\/p>\n Various other passages show that women are to teach God’s Word.\u00a0\u00a0Titus 2:3-5\u00a0reveals that the\u00a0aged women are to teach the younger women<\/em> to be discreet, chaste, and keepers at home.\u00a0 Women also have a responsibility to\u00a0teach their children<\/em> (II Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15), and they teach others by their singing\u00a0<\/em>(Colossians 3:16).<\/p>\n Another significant passage is\u00a0Acts 18:26, which has\u00a0Priscilla<\/em>, along with her husband Aquila, teaching Apollos, a male, “the way of God more accurately<\/em>.”\u00a0 This shows us that\u00a0teaching a man in certain settings and situations is proper for a woman<\/em>. (Note also Acts 8:1,4.)<\/p>\n In I Timothy 2:11-12, the Bible says, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.\u00a0 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.<\/em>“<\/p>\n This passage clearly places some restrictions on the woman.\u00a0 Does it, however, restrict a woman from teaching in every situation?\u00a0 Based on the previous passages examined, a woman is clearly\u00a0allowed<\/em>, and is in fact\u00a0required<\/em>, to teach others. The verses specifically contain a qualification; they tell us that the woman is not to\u00a0teach<\/u>\u00a0or\u00a0have<\/u>\u00a0authority<\/u>\u00a0“over the man<\/u><\/em>.”\u00a0 Therefore, these verses would prohibit a woman from preaching a sermon, teaching a class, leading a prayer, or leading the singing in\u00a0any setting\u00a0<\/em>in which men are present<\/u><\/strong>, either\u00a0in the assembly\u00a0<\/em>or\u00a0out of the assembly<\/em>.<\/p>\n The NKJV uses the word “silence<\/em>” in these verses. \u00a0However, the word in the original does not mean that she cannot say a word; rather, it means “quietness<\/em>.” \u00a0Some translations (ESV, ASV) render the Greek word as “quietness” or “quiet.”\u00a0 (Note II Thessalonians 3:12 where the same Greek word is used.)\u00a0 I Timothy 2:11-12 would not prohibit a woman from teaching a man<\/em>\u00a0(Acts 18:26); they would not prohibit her from making comments in a Bible class, nor would they keep her from reading the Scriptures aloud in a Bible class.\u00a0 She could not do any of these things, however, in an\u00a0authoritative way\u00a0<\/em>or in\u00a0a position of authority<\/em>\u00a0over the man.<\/p>\n I Corinthians 14:34-35 says, “Let your women keep silent in the churches<\/u><\/strong>, for they are\u00a0not permitted to speak<\/u><\/strong>; but\u00a0they are\u00a0to be submissive, as the law also says.\u00a0 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home;\u00a0for it is shameful for women to speak in church<\/u><\/strong>.<\/em>“<\/p>\n Unlike I Timothy 2:11-12, the instruction given here pertains specifically to the assembly. I Corinthians 14:23 says it is talking about when the “whole church comes together into one place.<\/em>” (Please also note in I Corinthians 14:4-5, 12, 18-19, 26, 34).\u00a0 It is the kind of assembly in which the Lord’s Supper might be served (I Corinthians 11:26), so applying these verses to a Bible class setting would be improper.<\/p>\n The word translated “silent” (sigao) is more restrictive than the one found in I Timothy 2:11-12.\u00a0 Thayer says that it means, “to keep silence, hold one’s peace<\/em>.” (p. 574) \u00a0Along with I Timothy 2:11-12, these verses prohibit a woman from preaching, leading the singing, or making announcements.\u00a0 Additionally, I Corinthians 14:34-35 prohibits her from making comments in the assembly<\/em> or, as the text specifically says, from asking questions.<\/p>\n Some teach that,\u00a0because Paul uses the word “your” in I Corinthians 14:34, he is addressing the\u00a0wives of the prophets\u00a0<\/em>in these verses, and that, since we do not have prophets today, the instructions do not apply now.\u00a0 A good case could be made showing that Paul does not have the wives of the prophets, or for that matter, the wives of the tongue speakers, specifically under consideration in the first part of I Corinthians 14:34.\u00a0 However, even if he is speaking about the wives of the prophets, the general rule<\/em> which he is applying to them is found in the last part of I Corinthians 14:35, which says, “…for it is a\u00a0shame for\u00a0women<\/u>\u00a0to speak<\/strong>\u00a0in the church.”<\/em><\/p>\n It is interesting that the word “your<\/em>” (I Corinthians 14:34), which is often relied upon to bolster this position, is not found in many translations (NASB, ASV).\u00a0 Instead, it is “the women<\/em>” or simply “women<\/em>.” Some use the expression “let them ask their husbands at home<\/em>” (I Corinthians 14:35) to show that these verses only apply to the wives of the prophets and are not intended to be a general admonition.\u00a0 They may ask, “What about the woman who does not have a husband? Who is she supposed to ask<\/em>?”\u00a0 A similar question could be asked about the “at home” part of the statement.\u00a0 Would it be acceptable to ask her husband a question on the way <\/b>home?\u00a0 How about at a restaurant?\u00a0 Of course, she could ask the question there.\u00a0 The home is mentioned because that is where a wife might typically ask her husband a question.\u00a0 Compare also\u00a0I Corinthians 11:34.\u00a0In dealing with abuses of the Lord’s Supper, Paul said, “And if any man hunger, let him eat at home….<\/em>”\u00a0 Again, a person could have eaten somewhere else, such as under a shade tree.\u00a0 Paul says “home<\/em>” because that is typically where a person would eat.\u00a0 The same point could be made of women being told to ask their “husbands.” Women usually have husbands, so Paul worded it as he did in I Corinthians 14:35.<\/p>\n In conclusion, women do have an important responsibility to teach.\u00a0 However, they have a different role from men in their teaching.\u00a0 I Timothy 2:11-12 (which applies everywhere) does not allow the woman to teach the man in such a way as to have authority over the man.\u00a0 \u00a0I Corinthians 14:34-35 (which applies only <\/b>to the assembly) prohibits the woman from speaking in the assembly, which would certainly eliminate her from taking any leading role in the worship service.\u00a0 Modern society might call this outdated, but we must be willing to accept what God teaches!<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Mike Johnson via Seeking Things Above The role of women in society has changed dramatically in recent years.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Some changes have been good, but many have not.\u00a0 Societal changes eventually filter into the church.\u00a0 Renewed discussion is occurring on this issue, and some are contending for an expanded role for women in the church.\u00a0…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[82],"class_list":["post-93630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-womens-roles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45293,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-a-woman-be-the-educational-leader-in-a-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":93630,"position":0},"title":"Can a woman be the educational leader in a church?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 11, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hello, I am so thankful for this site and often visit it when I'm looking for a better understanding of things. I was born and raised in a church of Christ and know nothing else. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to visit many congregations throughout the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":89500,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/womans-work-in-the-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":93630,"position":1},"title":"Woman’s Work in the Church","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":95616,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/fighting-the-good-fight-against-feminism\/","url_meta":{"origin":93630,"position":2},"title":"Fighting the Good Fight Against Feminism","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Vance E. Trefethen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 2, June 1995 The word \"Feminism\" carries strong connotations. It is distressing to see it thrown about so casually by many whenever disagreements arise over the role of men and women in the church. It is always easier to label\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4095,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/objections-to-biblical-limitations-on-womans-role\/","url_meta":{"origin":93630,"position":3},"title":"Objections to Biblical Limitations on Woman’s Role","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 18, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"by Bobby Graham From beginning to end under every dispensation, the Bible is clear about the role of woman in relation to men.\u00a0\u00a0 Hers is a secondary role of submission to her husband in the family and to men in the local church (Ephesians 5:22-24;\u00a0I Corinthians 14:34-35;\u00a0I Timothy 2:8-15).\u00a0\u00a0 Whatever\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":50254,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-does-i-corinthians-113-teach-about-the-role-of-women\/","url_meta":{"origin":93630,"position":4},"title":"What Does I Corinthians 11:3 Teach About the Role of Women?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"by T. Doy Moyer Guardian of Truth\u00a0- February 2, 1995 I Corinthians 11 has been surrounded by controversy due to the teaching about the covering. It is not the purpose or scope of this article to try to expound a pro or con position on the covering today. Women do\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":34658,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/on-supporting-women\/","url_meta":{"origin":93630,"position":5},"title":"On Supporting Women","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jefferson David Tant Sentry Magazine, December 1999 I have not seen much discussion on the question of whether or not the church can have a part in supporting women who may go into a mission field to teach women or children's classes, or assist in individual and private teaching.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93630"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93630\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Women as Teachers<\/h2>\n
I Timothy 2:11-12<\/h2>\n
I Corinthians 14:34-35<\/h2>\n