Before we look at the church’s leadership, let’s review the background left by the Lord Jesus. Jesus treated women with dignity and respect that was unusual for His time. Some of Jesus’ best disciples were women (Luke 10:38-42; John 4:7-39; Matthew 15:28). They supported Him, and were more loyal than the men at the cross and the tomb (Luke 8:1-3; 23:55; Matthew 27:55-56). They were the first to see the risen Lord and to inform the apostles (Luke 24:1-11).
Jesus was bold and different. He did only what His Father directed Him to do (John 5:19; 6:38; 12:49). In that context, Jesus selected twelve men to be apostles (Mark 3:14). When a replacement was needed, women were present who were well qualified as loyal, well-taught witnesses. Yet Jesus selected another man to be the next apostle (Acts 1:21-26). When Jesus appointed a special apostle for Gentiles, that person was Paul. Later, when Greek-speaking widows had a problem, Greek-speaking men were selected to lead in the solution (Acts 6:1-6). Later still, when congregational leaders were appointed, they were men (Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; 4:14; Titus 1:6).
Do you sense a trend, similar to that of the Old Testament? If so, are there teachings that back up or explain that trend? Answers comes from Paul as he helps Gentiles to learn the new Christ-culture.
As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says…. If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 14: 33-34, 37)
[Paul, as teacher of the Gentiles, urges men to lead prayers, then says,] Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Timothy 2:11-14)
Public leadership by men has a repetitive pattern with related instructions and explanations. They go back, as Jesus did with the divorce question, to God’s order in creation, before man-made cultures had developed. These passages seem to refer mainly to the church’s public assembly. They must be balanced with other passages that show Christian women as active in many influential ways (John 4:28-29; Acts 9:36; 17:4; 18:26; 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5; Romans 16:1-2, 13; Philippians 4:3; Titus 2:3-4). The restrictions should not be taken out of their church context and forced to dictate roles elsewhere, such as in business, government and social life.