Are Women Allowed To Speak In The Church?
“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.” 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
“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. (1 Timothy 2:11-12)
Have you ever had any doubt in your mind whether or not you are allowed to have a leadership role in your church? Maybe you feel called to be an evangelist, teacher or prophet .There are many great women of God in leadership and pastoral roles that are overseeing successful ministries. Perhaps you’ve felt as a woman you are better suited to minister to children or simply other women. There’s a good chance you may at some time in your life come across people (men or women) that are critical of women in leadership and use verses from the Bible to try and prove just how unbiblical it is for women to teach and preach with authority.
Taking a closer look at 1 Corinthians 14, we see a recurring theme within the chapter, edification and order of the spiritual gifts within the church. You see, it seems that the church of Corinth was noted for disorder during their services. Paul specifically is talking about the vocal gifts which are tongues, the interpretation of tongues and prophecy. These gifts are to be used in order during church services. So in rightly dividing the Word we can see that the subject being discussed is order in the church not men against women.
It’s important to understand these verses are addressed specifically to wives, not all women. So if you are a single woman these verses do not apply to you. Also, these verses do not mean that women can’t speak in church. 1 Corinthians 11:5 speaks of women who pray and prophesy in church. How would you know a woman prayed or prophesied if it wasn’t in public? Rather, Paul is saying to maintain submission and respect for your husband while using your gifts. In other words, do not use your ministry or gifts to straighten your husband out, disrespect, embarrass, or shame him into becoming more spiritual. Moving in the gifts and disrespecting your spouse is incompatible or out of order.
Rebecca is a perfect biblical example of how manipulation toward her husband Isaac did not turn out well for her. Because of her trickeries she never saw Jacob or her grandchildren again. In contrast there are many examples in the Bible of women ministering in the church. Acts 21 speaks of Philip’s four daughters who prophesied. In Acts 18 we have the account of Priscilla ministering in the church. In Romans 16 Paul praises Phoebe, a deacon in the church of Cenchrea. 1 Corinthians 14:31 states “all” can prophesy. Acts 2:17 states “ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and DAUGHTERS will prophesy…”
In conclusion, the verses in Corinthians and Timothy are about principles or points of order for the church while administering the supernatural gifts. Operating in gifts or your ministry does not take precedence over your relationship with your mate nor does it exempt you from maintaining a submissive heart and attitude. When women get born again it’s by the same incorruptible seed of God’s Word as men AND women get filled with the same Holy Spirit and have access to the same spiritual gifts.There are no insignificant, second-class, un-useful or unneeded members in the Body of Christ. There is not a male and female Holy Spirit. When we received Jesus into our lives the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives within us! (Romans 8:11) The Bible also says that God shows no partiality. (Acts 10:34). So women are FREE to teach and preach with power and boldness! Women of God go forth in all the anointing of the Holy Spirit and use your gifts to bless and encourage others. I will leave you with one of my favorite verses. It’s my life verse and I believe it will bless you.
“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the rooftops.” (Matthew 10:27)
Women of God, SPEAK!
