In God's plan men and women were made for different roles. God first created Adam and gave him the responsibility to work (dress) and keep the Garden. (Gen. 2:15) Genesis 2:18 says that God made Eve and she was created to be a "help meet" for man. Her position in reference to man is defined as first "a helper," literally, "a help," 'ézer." Adam in fulfilling his responsibilities in the Garden needed help and God gave that responsibility to Eve. If Adam was to achieve his God directed objectives in life, he needed the help of his mate. In the creation of Eve, God set forth His plan for the role of women. God's plan was Eve was to be at Adam's side and in every way, from having offspring to being Adam's partner and counterpart in carrying out his God given responsibilities. Eve was the needed part of Adam, making him complete in agreeing with him mentally, physically, spiritually. She was not made as an inferior being in any degree, but with a different and equally important role and purpose in life.
Adam upon seeing Eve and receiving her stated that Eve was "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" recognizing that had God created her from him. Adam further made a marriage commitment or vow stating that he would leave his parents and "cleave" unto his wife and they would be one flesh. This statement showed commitment and established the proper bond between them as being devoted to each other. In other words, they would function as a unit in union. Adam understood his responsibility and in initiating the marriage performing his duty as being the one responsible in the union. Thus, the first recorded statement of Adam was to demonstrate his leadership and responsibility to the woman in that he made the vow of commitment and he gave Eve her name. This set the example for the future human race and God has not changed plan?
In Genesis 2, God established the family. God is a God of order and He set the organization of the family in creation. Any organization must have the roles of its members clearly defined to be able to function and support the organization. God gave the man the responsibility to be the head of the family in providing provision and leadership. The woman's role in the family is as vital and important as the man's in her domain as wife and mother.
God created Adam and Eve in perfect harmony and that continued without conflict until Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin into the world. This began the problem of man and woman not accepting or fulfilling their God given roles. Sin manifested itself in sinful pride and distorted this perfect union. Eve usurped Adam's responsibility in leadership and listened to Satan instead of God and her husband. She apparently was easily deceived and she decided to eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree. Eve then gave the fruit to Adam who abdicated his leadership role to Eve and plunged the human race into sin.
Sin degraded the man's and woman's roles coming from the carnal nature and pride of mankind. The biblical example affirms that men are to be the leaders in the home, church, and state. Women were not created to rule these divine institutions, because God gave that responsibility to the man. The prophet Isaiah was condemning Israel in Isaiah 3:12, when he said they had allowed women to rule over them. In a church, according to God's word the Bible, no woman is qualified to be a pastor or a deacon or in any other leadership position over men. This is plainly stated in God's word:
This distortion of God's truth, looking through carnal eyes, fails to see that God never in any way degraded a woman, but made her of equal importance in the marriage union. Man is not the woman's master, but rather her provider and leader. The truth is there can be no true union or biblical marriage without the man and the woman functioning biblically in each of their distinctive roles. If the man abandons his role of providing for his family and being the spiritual leader, the family falls into serious trouble. The same applies to the woman who tries to step into the role of the man. In either case the family as God created and structured is severely weaken or destroyed. Further, the same principle applies in a local church when men do not provide the leadership and when women step out of their God given roles and seek to rule over men. When this happens in a church, the organization and structure of the church is out of order and sets an unbiblical example for the families of that church. This is why it is so important for a church to present a proper and biblical example of God's instructions to its members, their families and the world around them.
To the woman God says:
"Let the woman learn in silence, with all subjection. But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression" (1 Tim. 2:11-14). "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:34-37).
How could a woman possibly be a pastor when she is forbidden to teach or to have any authority over men? Women can only be pastors if they openly disobey the Bible's teaching. Further, the Lord Jesus Christ appointed no female apostles. All of them were men. The standards for pastors apply strictly to men. Only a man can be the "husband of one wife" and can "rule his own house well" (1 Tim. 3:2,4; Titus 1:6).
by Cooper P Abrams III
The Lord has given very specific and unambiguous instructions (for) husbands and wives as to their respective roles in the family.
The classic passage that gives us God's instruction is found in Ephesians 5:22-33:
Several things are very clear:
1. Wives are to submit themselves to their husbands in the same way they do unto the Lord. (V22). Verse 23, continues making it very clear that the husband is the head of the wife. This means that the husband has the leadership role in the marriage and family the same way that Christ is the Head of the church. It is not saying that the wife is inferior to the man, but the man has the responsibility to lead his wife and family. Lest this be misunderstood (as so many have) God continues and says that as a church is subject to Christ, so the wife is to be subject to their husbands. Paul then refers to Christ's giving Himself for the church and therefore the clear implication is that the man in his role as leader is to give of himself to his wife and family. This command to the wife to be submissive is in perfect harmony with her created role as the man's helper.
2. Husbands are instructed to love their wives. Love means unmerited favor. This strongly addresses man's responsibility. The husband is to show favor to his wife and shoulder his responsibility whether his wife submits to him or not. His favor towards her comes from His God given responsibility and is not based on her being desiring of that love. In other words the man's responsibility is not based on circumstances, but upon God's orders to him.
3. Verse 33, sums up the preceding statements saying "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)" The man is to accept and fulfill his responsibilities to his wife and she is to revere him, meaning to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience. A marriage and family which follows God's instructions will be a lasting, productive and happy one. Each partner, working in a common love and obedience to the Lord, will produce the family as God intended it to be. The same applies to a church. However, if a family or church, rejects God’s stated instructions, and deviates from God's plan, confusion will certainly follow. When a church abandons God's word, then it abandons God and prohibits God from blessing and being a part of it. Worse.....deviating from God God’s stated principles opens the door to allow Satan to come in and take over. If a church is not obeying the Lord, then it is without any question obeying the Devil and dishonoring the Lord.
Some falsely conclude that the commands quoted above were meant only for first century Christians, or were only for the particular situation at Corinth. However there are many biblical reasons that this cannot be true. Consider the following:
First, Paul said that his instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 are the commandments of the Lord (verse 37). As such they must be obeyed by all Christians and by every church.
Second, the Apostle said that the instructions of 1 Corinthians 14 are a test of spirituality. He said that those who are truly spiritual must acknowledge that the instructions are the very commandments of God. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:37). Those who are rejecting the teaching of 1 Corinthians 14 concerning a woman's role in the church are proving themselves to be unspiritual.
Third, in 1 Timothy the Apostle gives the very same instructions concerning women, and this epistle was said to have been written to teach the proper order for churches in general. "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15). The things contained in 1 Timothy are general instructions about church order to be obeyed by all churches in every century; and it is in this book, the book which contains standards for church leaders, that God has forbidden women from taking authority over or teaching men.
Fourth, in giving the instructions about women in the church, the Holy Spirit referred back to the original order of creation--Adam first, then Eve. The Holy Spirit, in guiding Paul's pen, used this order of creation to prove that women must not take authority over men. Therefore, since the order of creation has not changed since 1 Timothy was written, and since it does not change in our culture or century, we know that the instructions of the New Testament about the woman's role in the church apply to us today.
Fifth, Paul referred to the Fall for support of his teaching regarding the Christian woman's subjection to the man. "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (1 Tim. 2:14). Again this shows that the Apostle's teaching about the woman transcends any one culture or generation. Though we have been saved from the eternal consequences of the Fall when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ, we are still living under the abiding consequences and conditions of the Fall as long as we remain in this world. Redemption has three aspects that must never be confused--past, present, and future. The three are seen in Romans chapter eight. Romans 8:1-10 speaks of the past aspect of our salvation--we have been saved from the eternal consequences of sin. Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us on the Cross we have been made eternally free from any fear of the wrath of God or punishment for our sin by God's holy law. Hallelujah! Romans 8:11-17 speaks of the present aspect of our salvation--we are being saved from the power of sin in our daily lives by the Spirit of God who indwells us. Romans 8:18-25 speaks of the future aspect of salvation--we will be saved from the very presence of sin when Christ gives us our resurrection body and comes to renew this fallen creation. We have eternal redemption right now as a present possession, yet we still "groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23).Likewise, the woman who trusts Christ receives eternal freedom in Him from the wages of sin, but she is not yet free from some of the consequences of Eve's rebellion in the Garden of Eden. She still is to be in subjection to the man.
Sixth, Paul referred to human nature to support his teaching regarding women. "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (1 Tim. 2:14). The woman has a different makeup than the man. She was designed for a different role in life--that of a wife and mother. Her emotional, psychological, and rational makeup are geared perfectly for this, but she was not designed for leadership. In the garden of Eden the devil deceived her. This was not true for Adam. He sinned, but he was not deceived. Eve had allowed herself to be thrust into a position of decision making she was not supposed to occupy. It is no coincidence that women have been responsible for starting many of the false Christian movements and have played key roles in spiritism, new age, mind science cults, and such. Human nature has not changed and neither has God's restrictions against women preachers.
Seventh, Paul commanded that his instructions were to be kept until Christ's coming. "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Tim. 6:14). This command is given at the end of the epistle in which the Apostle had so clearly required that women be in subjection to men in the church (1 Tim. 2:9-15). Since Jesus has not yet appeared, we are to continue to maintain these restrictions.
Eighth, Paul's letter to Corinth, in which he spoke of women being in subjection to men, was for all Christians, not just those in Corinth. In his introduction to this epistle the Apostle tells us plainly to whom he is speaking: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, WITH ALL THAT IN EVERY PLACE CALL UPON THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, both their's and our's." (1 Cor. 1:2). It is clear that Paul's instructions were not intended merely for some peculiar situation at Corinth.
Ninth, while Galatians 3:28 says there is neither bond nor free in Christ, other passages teach that this does not mean there are no servant/master relationships. The Christian servant is free in Christ--free from the eternal wages of sin--but he is not free from his earthly position and responsibilities of servitude toward his master (Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-25; 1 Tim. 6:1,2; Tit. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 2:18-25). In fact, anyone who teaches against these instructions regarding submission of servants to masters is labeled proud and evil: "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. IF ANY MAN TEACH OTHERWISE, AND CONSENT NOT TO WHOLESOME WORDS, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; HE IS PROUD, KNOWING NOTHING, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of CORRUPT MINDS, AND DESTITUTE OF THE TRUTH, supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF" (1 Timothy 6:1-5).
These are strong words, and they refer directly to those who try to contradict the Apostle's teaching requiring subjection of servants to masters, such as those who promote communistic "liberation theology," and those who stir up all sorts of strife between workers and business. These words also apply to those who are trying to throw off the apostolic teaching referring to woman's subjection to man in the church and home. Such are proud, ungodly, and destitute of the truth, and are to be separated from! We can see how serious this matter is.
Galatians 3:28 says there are no servants and no freemen in Christ, yet other New Testament passages teach there are indeed Christians who are servants and Christians who are masters. Galatians 3:28 also says there is neither male nor female in Christ, but other passages show us that this does not mean all distinction between the sexes are done away in this world, nor does it mean that the original order of creation has been dissolved in Christianity.
Why did God make DEBORAH a judge in Israel (Judges 4:4-5)? The answer is not difficult and the biblical account certainly cannot be taken as changing God's plan for the role of men and women. Throughout all the Bible God's perfect will is for men to lead. That is too clear for one to misinterpret, but when men will not assume their responsibilities, God has used women. The men in Deborah's day were very weak and cowardly. This is seen in the fact that Barak, the captain of the armies of Israel, refused to go into battle unless Deborah went with him. What a brave man! What a hero! The woman had to remind him that God had said it is time to fight; the woman had to encourage and challenge him to go; the woman had to go with him! In doing so she was fulfilling her role as the "help meet" of man, but clearly not taking that role away from him.
"And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go." (Judges 4:8).
Deborah clearly realized that this was not right nor natural, and she told Barak it would result in shame upon his name. "And she said, I will surely go with thee; notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; FOR THE LORD SHALL SELL SISERA INTO THE HAND OF A WOMAN..." (Judges 4:9). Obviously it was a period in Israel's history during which God could find no man to do His will, so He used a brave, willing woman as a rebuke to the men of Israel. We can praise God for women like Deborah who are willing to be strong when the men are weak. This has often happened, both in secular and church history.
The root problem in Deborah's day was spiritual apostasy. When God's people turn away from Him, He renders the men powerless against their enemies and removes wisdom from their hearts. It is a judgment upon apostate people. We can see this very thing today in apostate North America and Europe. The leaders are weak and seem entirely lacking even in common sense. We cannot control our little children, and women rule over men (compare Isaiah 3:12). It is God's judgment because of the apostate condition of professing Christendom. Israel in Deborah's day was in bondage to their enemies only because of their apostasy from the true God and His revealed will recorded in the Scriptures (Judges 4:1-2).
“Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself. ... And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the Lord" (Amos 2:14-15).
What about THE DAUGHTERS OF PHILLIP?
They were prophetesses (Acts 21:8-9). Doesn't this mean women can preach to men in exercising their gifts of prophecy? The fact that God gave gifts of prophecy to women does not mean they are free to take authority in the church.
When Paul was staying at Philip's house, even though the four daughters were there who had the gifts of prophecy, God used a male prophet from another city to come and prophesy to Paul!
"And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles" (Acts 21:8-11).
There is no doubt that God gave the gifts of prophecy to women. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, had promised that God would do this: "And on ... my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy" (Acts 2:18). But the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who gives the gifts, has placed restrictions upon the exercise of those gifts. 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 11 and 14 are Holy Scripture. Immediately after forbidding the women from speaking in the church meetings, the Apostle Paul warned that those who ignore this instruction are not spiritual. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:37).
As for women prophesying, we know that Philip's daughters prophesied, but, as noted previously, when God wanted to speak to Paul He brought a man to do it (Acts 21:8-11). God richly gifts women in spiritual things, but they are restricted in the exercise thereof. The woman's ministry is to be focused on women and children in the home. (1 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15; Tit. 2:3-5). As noted earlier, it is very instructive that there were no women apostles, and the divine standards for pastors apply only to men (1 Tim. 3:2-4; Titus 1:5-9).
To say that the woman's ministry is restricted is not to say that women are not very valuable for the ministry of Jesus Christ. Paul had female co-workers (Phil. 4:3). Phebe is an example (Rom. 16:1-2). Priscilla is mentioned right alongside her husband Aquila in the ministry (Rom. 16:3). They were church planters (Rom. 16:5).
History has shown that when a pastor or church ignores God's instructions as to the order of His church that church begins down the road to eventual apostasy. The Protestant churches of our day clearly demonstrate this truth. They began to accept pragmatism as their philosophy of ministry. Instead of thus "saith the Lord" their direction came from doing what seemed to work, or what was publicly pleasing. Worldly wisdom and rationalization replaced and negated God’s plain and clear instructions. When the Bible disagreed with the direction they wanted to go, they "reinterpreted" the word of God to fit their actions. Jesus warned the church at Ephesus that it had lost its first love and told them to repent or else He would remove their candlestick (God called pastor).
Nowhere in God's word is a woman degraded, seen as a second-class citizen or a lesser person than a man. She has a specific and vital role in God’s structure for the family. That role is that she is to be the man's helper and supporter, stand along side him in helping them both in their union to accomplish God's will for their lives. If she sets out of her role, she ceases to be in obedience to God and therefore, begins to operate in the flesh, not the spirit and certainly cannot be blessed of God. God specifically made the woman, physically, emotionally and mentally to accomplish her role as her husband's helper.
The husband's role is plainly stated as being the protector, provider and leader of his family. If the man fails to show his responsibility to his wife through loving and providing for her, the wife and family will suffer and be ineffective in accomplishing God's goals for it. The marriage union will not have direction and basis. Like the woman, God also physically, emotionally and mentally made the man giving him the ability to carry out his responsibility as the head of his family. What a wonderful thing it is when each mate, in God's strength, carry out their roles and produce a family as God intended it to be.
Further the same can be said of a local church when it is structured as God instructed and is an example, and support of the family union.
Paul's profound statement is instruction and admonishment to us all, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:37).