What is a Balanced View of Women in Ministry?

What is a Balanced View of Women in Ministry?

Men and women are virtually equal in ultimate leadership potential, but they are not equal in ultimate responsibility in God’s structure of authority.

1. to walk in such love and understanding as to produce the release of women into whatever office or ministry to which the Spirit of God brings them; and

2. to walk in such love and wisdom as to induce the submission of women to the oversight of their authority, including direction, instruction and correction.

Proverbs 9:13 NKJV
13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.

Proverbs 21:9 NKJV
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Proverbs 21:19 NKJV
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

Proverbs 30:21 NKJV
21 For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up.

Proverbs 30:23 NKJV
23 A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.

1. there is no excuse for indulging the desire to seize man’s role, and

2. there is no emancipation from man’s ultimate authority with reference to the woman.

I Corinthians 14:34-35 NKJV
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

I Corinthians 14:34-35 NKJV
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

I Timothy 2:11-12 NKJV
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

An examination of the verbs employed does argue for a submissive woman and for one with a quiet and restful spirit. But the word “hesuchia” which occurs twice in 1 Tim. 2:11,12 simply does not mean “silent.”

In verse 2 of the same passage believers are urged to lead a quiet and peaceable life.

I Timothy 2:2 NKJV
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

The idea is clearly one of contented stillness of spirit, undisturbed by strife and discord. In this spirit, the woman is not to “usurp authority”—not to be domineering.

Now in the Corinthian passage the same concept is being conveyed. A different verb “sigao” is used for “be silent.”

The idea is one of quietness, of tongue control. It is not an absolute issued to forbid speech, but a directive to control it.

I Corinthians 14:28 NKJV
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

I Corinthians 14:20 NKJV
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

I Corinthians 14:34-35 NKJV
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

1. Silence—a peaceful self-controlled spirit that results in restful and controlled “By the Spirit” speech. Interesting “Silence” is also required of men in the same chapter. Verse 28 is the same word for “Silence” in Verses 34-35.

2. Submission—whether man or woman, a proper relationship with those in authority is essential to ministry. There is not an admonition to women only.

3. A student—a wife who is willing to be taught by her husband, receiving guidance and guardianship from him, is qualified for public ministry. Women who are seeking instruction in inappropriate times, places, and attitudes are not ready for public ministry—neither are their male counterparts.

1. How would we know the evangelist Philip had four daughters that prophesied (Acts 21:9)?

2. How shall we correct Priscilla at this late date for her Holy Spirit-recorded share in Apollo’s introduction to a more complete understanding of God’s way (Acts 18:26)?

3. What shall we do after the corrective teaching of 1 Cor. 11:1-12 has been applied to women who prophesy or pray? Having set them in biblical order,shall we then tell them it was only a technicality anyway, since they were not allowed to speak?

Proverbs 31:10 NKJV
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

“Virtuous” is a wondrously inclusive term, embracing strength, resourcefulness, character, and wealth.

Proverbs 31:15 NKJV
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

“Considers” contains a touch of shrewdness or scheming. In good Middle Eastern fashion, she bargains before she buys.

Proverbs 31:23 NKJV
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

Her excellence contributed to her husband’s reputation. The “gate” was the center of political and judicial life in the Israelite cities.

Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

Proverbs 31:28 NKJV
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.

Proverbs 31:31 NKJV
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

This is a description of a woman who has a lot of ability and uses every bit of it in ways that serve others and surely satisfy her.