The Bible speaks of
how women are to conduct themselves in worship. In 1 Corinthians
14:34-36 we read, "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. 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, for Adam was formed first, then
Eve."Why did God place these limitations on the
woman? The Bible explains why women are to keep silent and why they
are not permitted to speak in the worship of the church. It was
because "Adam was formed first, then Eve." God could have created
woman first or He could have created the man and woman
simultaneously. But God's creation of the man first was to show the
authority of the man and the submission of the woman.
This is the way God
has specified that it will be. We read in 1 Corinthians 11:3, "But I want you to know that the head of every man is
Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is
God." God speaking to Eve in Genesis 3:16 says, "Unto the woman He said…your desire shall be to your
husband, and he shall rule over you." The reason women are to
be submissive and not speak in the worship of the church is God has
specified that the man is the head of woman and is to rule over the
woman. Many people do not approve of what God has done, but this is
still God’s business. As we read in Romans 9:20, "But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?
Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like
this?" Who are we to question God?
Also in 1 Timothy
2:11-14 God’s word to us says, "Let a woman learn in
silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach
or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For
Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the
woman being deceived, fell into transgression." God’s word is
very clear. It says it is not to be permitted. In other words
it is forbidden. When we do things that are forbidden by God it is
sin. It is sin which separates us from God and sin will cause us to
be lost eternally. Here we see what happened when Eve took the
spiritual leadership over her husband and what happened when Adam failed
to exercise spiritual leadership over his wife. Because of this
Satan was able to introduce sin into the world.
During the worship
of the church women are not permitted by the Lord to preach, lead prayer
or lead singing. This does not preclude women from singing in the
worship service or teaching children in the Bible classes. But they
are not to take a leading role over man in the worship service. This
command of God is not hard to understand. But some still want to
ignore it and do what seems right in their own eyes.
Again this does not
prohibit women from teaching children in the Bible classes. Paul
tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15, "And that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures." How was
Timothy taught the scriptures? He was taught them by his mother and
grandmother as we read in 2 Timothy 1:5, "When I call
to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your
grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded in in you
also." Women can play a vital role in teaching children in
Bible classes. Women are not inferior to men, but the difference is
a matter of function as designed by God. This is the way that God
chose for it to be.
God intends for
women to be subordinate to men in worship. When a woman gets up
before the church with men present to teach, preach, lead prayer, or lead
singing, she is in violation of what God has commanded. She is
perverting the worship of God. As a result of this rebellion, God is
not worshipped in spirit and in truth. As we have already seen,
worship becomes vain or useless when we follow the desires of men instead
of what God wants. For us to ignore what God has said, on this
matter or any other, is spiritual anarchy and will have horrible
consequences.
Questions Lesson 9
Role Of Women In The Church
(click on
the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (1 Corinthians 14:34-36) How are women to
conduct themselves in
the worship of the church?
They can preach.
They can lead singing and prayer.
They are not permitted to speak.
2)
According to the Bible it is not shameful for women to
speak in
church.
3) (Genesis 3:16) God told Eve.
That her husband was to rule over her.
That she was to rule over her husband.
That neither shall rule over the other.
4)
The reason a woman is not to speak in worship of the
church is she is to
be submissive to man.
5) (1 Timothy 2:11-12) During the worship of the
church.
Women can teach and have authority over man.
Women cannot teach and have authority over man.
Both men and women can lead in the worship service.
6)
God has commanded women to keep silent and not to
speak, teach, or have
authority over man in worship.