Bible Question: Is it 'okay' for women to lead and teach in ministry? |
Bible Answer: 1 Timothy 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. These are Paul's instructions to Timothy where he states very clearly the qualifications for Overseer and Deacon. Clearly, the language is not gender neutral, and in the case of the Deacon, instructions are even given regarding the conduct of his wife. So scripturally, the answer is a crystal clear no they should not. However... Many very noted and prominent women did indeed serve, and served along side Paul in particular as noted throughout the book of Acts. So it is likewise and equally clear that Paul had no problem with women serving the lord. It was only in positions of leadership (in particular in positions over both men and women) that Paul was gender specific in identifying only a man to be qualified for this particular position. That being said as well... There is some debate over the cultural versus spiritual nature of this. I can speak for myself in saying that I would not go to a church where a woman was the Pastor. Is that cultural or spiritual? My spirit agrees with me that I could not go there as long as there was a qualified man who had not stepped up to the position of responsibility. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 14:34 34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says In this case Paul points to the law, as he very rarely does, as to why he said what he said. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for NT general Archive 1 | Author | ||
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imosthebob | ||
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The Scribe | ||
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Wars? | ||
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cuddle | ||
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Morant61 | ||
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Wars? | ||
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Calvary Pete | ||
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Tim3:16 | ||
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rodent_tamer | ||
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jd71089 | ||
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jd71089 | ||
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francisco | ||
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brosamuel | ||
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Calvary Pete |