MISINTERPRETED SCRIPTURES: WOMEN IN MINISTRY

As we continue down this trail of truths, there must be an explanation for all those popular verses of scripture, which some brethren herald as absolute proof, of the Lord’s desire never to use a woman in any position that causes her to instruct or spiritually guide the activities of a man. Before we do this however, there is something that must be explained.

PREFERENCE vs. TRUTH

We will never understand the scriptures without being able to rightly divide the word of truth.

Isaiah 28:9-10 KJV9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

In order for us to understand doctrine we must know how to study the scriptures. We must study verse by verse (line upon line – keeping the scriptures in context), and topic by topic (precept upon percept – using other witnessing scriptures to confirm truth.)

RULES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

1. Scripture does not contradict itself. If you come forth with a doctrine that another scripture

contradicts, then you have misinterpreted one of those scriptures.

2. There is no private interpretation of scripture (2 Peter 1:20 KJV). You must not add or take away anything from the scripture. You should never spiritualize by making the scripture say something it is not saying. Always allow scriptures to interpret themselves. We do this, by ensuring that the the context of the scripture or no other scripture contradicts what we perceive the word is saying. This keeps us safe.

3. If the Word teaches a doctrine or a concept, it can be found 2/3 other places in the Bible

Deuteronomy 17:6 KJV

6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

4. If a symbol is used in scripture, it is explained in its context or elsewhere in the Bible.If we refuse to study according to these rules, we will end up with false doctrines. These false

doctrines will simply be according to our own imagination, and spiritualization of scripture.Sometimes, false doctrine arises because of a preference. For example, I think a woman looks more holy if she does not wear any make-up. However, if there is no scripture that teaches that it is wrong, I cannot make it sin. If I make it sin, I am adding to scripture, and I will be punished by God.

As we go further, all I ask is that we agree initially on one fact: THE WORD OF GOD WILL IN NO WISE CONTRADICT ITSELF.

If we can agree on this basic principle, then a divine unveiling of the truth is eminent. Let us deal with each of these sayings to determine if they will stand the test of all scripture.

1. THE MAN IS THE HEAD OF THE WOMAN,

therefore, a woman could never pastor a church. The head of the church must be a man.

This mindset is apparently taken from the Corinthians letter.

I Corinthians 11:3 KJV

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the

man; and the head of Christ is God.

Now when we dissect this passage, we find the word used there for man is “Aner” (indexed 435 in your Strong’s, Vines or Thayer’s.) It is the same word for husband. There is no other word in the Greek for husband. Likewise, the word woman is “Gune” which is the only word in the Greek for woman or wife. (Index #115 in Strong’s, Vines and Thayer’s ).

Paul was addressing social and domestic issues as they focused on marital relationships in the church. His implication is: Christ is head of the Church and the husband is the head of the wife. Because there are some who will not receive this explanation, Paul makes it very plain in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

Ephesians 5:22-23 KJV

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church.

Beloved, this is the only logical explanation of these verses. Paul never implied the pastor of a church was the head of every woman in the assembly. There is no way the pastor of the church can place himself as the head of another man’s wife. To be the “head of” implies possession or ownership, one’s own property or lordship. When a man or woman

takes the position of Lord over God’s Church, he or she is in error and in danger of divine judgment. Peter makes this point quite clear in his writings to the elders.

I Peter 5:2-3KJV

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

2. GOD NEVER ORDAINED A WOMAN TO TEACH OR HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN.

No doubt this is taken once again “out of context” from Paul’s instructions to Timothy.

I Timothy 2:11-15 KJV

11 Let the woman (wife) learn in silence with all subjection.

12 But I suffer (allow) not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being was in the transgression.

15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in child bearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Do not forget, the Word will never contradict itself. Neither would Paul preach a message to one church and then totally contradict himself in his delivery to another.Paul again is dealing with the domestic relationship between a husband and his wife. He declares he does not allow a wife to instruct her husband by the usurping of authority. He implies that in the perfect order of a marital relationship the husband is the head of his wife and children.

If we look closer at this passage, we just might discern what was in the mind of the apostle.

USURP: (Strong’s index #831, Thayer & Vines)

• One who does a thing of himself.
• One who acts on his own authority to govern or exercise dominion over another.

By using the terminology “usurp authority,” Paul warns that the wife is not to take it upon herself to instruct her husband but is to learn the things of God in silence (with a quiet spirit) and in subjection to her husband. He goes on to declare his reason for such an attitude. He notes that Adam was not deceived but his wife, Eve, was. Being deceived, she was found in the transgression. Women, this is a most noteworthy point Paul makes here. Eve was in the transgression, meaning she was contained and affected by the power and influence of the transgression itself. She enjoyed the effects of the sin, chose not to repent but enticed her husband to partake. Because of this, Paul declares she is to maintain a quiet spirit and not one of forwardness. He is really demanding that she not live out of her emotions, desires or appetites. While she learns of the things of God, she is to maintain a posture of “quietness,” doing her own work and not officiously meddling in the affairs of the husband.

Some maintain Paul was a male chauvinist because of this passage and claims he never recognized a woman’s ministry. This is totally a ludicrous statement seeing as how he used so many women in His own ministry and acknowledged those who were not a part of his reformation.In actuality Paul is putting the work of the Holy Ghost in the domestic setting. Before we jump to conclusions regarding his attitude toward the woman or wife, let us read the conclusion of the matter.

In the 15th verse Paul comes forth with an astounding declaration.“Notwithstanding she shall be saved through child bearing”.Ladies, Paul comes through for us. Note that he says, not withstanding or nevertheless, or better still, she shall be delivered (saved) from this docile existence by the birth (not of children) according to the original Greek writings, but by the birth of the divine nature of the seed (Word) which is planted in her. Even the Amplified Bible bears witness to this.

(Amplified I Timothy 2:15)

15 But women will be [e]preserved (saved) through [the pain and dangers of] the bearing of children [f]if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control and discretion.

Nevertheless the sentence upon the woman of pain in motherhood does not hinder their soul’s salvation, and they will be saved if they continue in faith and love and holiness with

self-control, [saved indeed] through the CHILDBEARING or by the birth of the divine child.If she continues in faith (the operation of the Holy Ghost in her), charity (the spirit of love)

and Holiness (having been made acceptable unto God) with sobriety (soundness of mind, self-control and a purifying of her desires) then, and only then, is she allowed to take part in the administration of the spiritual guidance of her home.

3. IT IS A SHAME FOR A WOMAN TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH.”

For the earnest dividing of this saying, which no doubt was taken from Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, we must be most thorough.

I Corinthians 14:34 KJV

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 saith the law.

Now let us put this saying back into the context in which it was rendered.

A. Paul, in the 7th chapter, makes it clear he was writing this epistle in response to some of the questions they had concerning church order.

I Corinthians 7:1 KJV

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me...

He continues that chapter with instructions concerning marriage and divorce.

I Corinthians 8:1 KJV

Now as touching things offered to idols…

This continues to the 10th chapter. Then in the 11th chapter he begins to deal with social customs in the church that no doubt caused much confusion.

I Corinthians 12:1 KJV

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.This continues through to the 14th chapter where we find our topic for the moment.

B. Notice this verse is contained in the chapter that continues to set in order the operation of the spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Holy Ghost in the church Assembly.

C. Note also, and this is most important, the style with which the apostle writes. Usually he

re-writes their questions or dilemmas and then gives them his command as he received it from the Lord.

D. The 10th verse of the 11th chapter of Corinthians is an example of this method. The 34th and 35th verses of the 14th chapter are likewise an example of this method of answering their questions.

In the 11th chapter Paul talks about and advocates a woman not only praying, but also prophesying (teaching, reproving, refuting, edifying and comforting) in the general assembly. Therefore,it is unthinkable he would in the same breath condemn her speaking in the service of the Lord. No beloved, the 34th and 35th verses are only a re- writing of the position some of the elders wanted to take in their dealings with the women in the assembly. They were, as we learn in his second letter, often troubled by the Judaizers who were endeavoring to keep the law and live in the household of faith. Note the terminology, “as also saith the law.” Well, Paul was the wrong one to mention placing anyone under the bondage of the law. Thus, he answers the implication with a sharp rebuke.

I Corinthians 14:36 KJV

What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came unto you only?

Listen to the apostle defend the administration of the Holy Ghost. He actually asks, “Did the Word of God originate with you, oh man?” Are you the one who sent forth the Word? Therefore, you are the one to decide who shall deliver it to God’s people. So now you elders have become the administration of the callings of God. You’ve taken that responsibility away from the Holy Ghost.”

To add insult to injury he declares, “…or maybe the Word came to you only. Maybe this dispensing of the grace of God by-passed the woman and was only received by the man.”

I Corinthians 14:37 KJV

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.

NOW THE JUDGMENT COMES

In this dispensation, the legalistic restraints of the law do not exist. The Father is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters will prophesy (teach,refute, reprove, admonish and comfort).

GRACE IS NOT SUBJECT TO GENDER.

Furthermore, it is the administration of the Father who calls, anoints and appoints the vessels to the office through which this grace will be dispensed. This is not, and never will be, the decision of any man or woman. The Lord is the author and finisher of our faith. These are the things Paul wrote to the churches under his guidance. And he warns every brother who thinks he is a prophet or spiritual to acknowledge that these things come from the Lord.

I Corinthians 14:38 KJV

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

I hope I was able to shed some light on this unnecessary controversy. Paul used many women in his own ministry as we see throughout the Epistles and acknowledged those who were noted in other works. In Romans the 16th chapter, we see a listing of some of the women in the gospel of which he referred to as servants of the Lord or fellow-prisoners. Among these are Junia, a female apostle who had gained much respect among the other apostles.

Beloved, allow the Holy Ghost to complete His work in you and the Father will most certainly endow you with the anointing to do the work of the ministry for the perfecting of the saints.