Lesson #9 - Role Of Women In The Church

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." 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 want to ignore it and do what seems right in their own eyes.

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." This is the way God has specified that it will be. 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 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 2:11-13 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." 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.

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.

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. To ignore what God has said has horrible consequences.