Some have interpreted 1 Timothy 2:12, in which Paul
says, “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man”,
to mean that women should not teach or hold positions of authority in the
church. However, this is a mistranslation. The Greek word that is often
interpreted “man” in this passage is the same word that is interpreted “husband”
in Ephesians 5:22. The word can be translated either way depending on the
context. Since the next two verses discuss Adam and Eve, the first marriage,
and the rearing of children, the clear context is marriage and family rather
than church structure. The verse should say that a woman should not exercise
authority over her “husband”, which is how Young’s Literal Translation
and some other translations translate it. This translation is consistent
with the rest of scripture.
Women are shown teaching, prophesying, or exercising
authority many places in scripture. For example, Aaron’s sister Miriam (Ex
15:20), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and the four daughters of
Philip (Acts 21:9) are all called prophetesses. Paul permitted women to
prophesy in church (1 Corinthians 11:5). Debra was a political and military
leader in Israel (Judges 4). Phoebe was a deacon (Romans 16:1). And Junia was
an apostle (Romans 16:7).
Furthermore, God chose a woman to be the first witness
of His resurrection (John 20:14) and He chose a woman to become the first
European convert (Acts 16:14). Also, from the very beginning of scripture
(Genesis 1:28), God gave both men and women authority to rule over the earth.
And at the end of scripture (e.g. Revelation 20:4), there is no differentiation
between men and women when redeemed saints are given authority over the earth.
What About 1 Corinthians 14:34-35?
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says:
“The women are to keep silent in the churches; for
they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law
also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at
home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.”
This passage in isolation plainly states that women
must keep silent in church. However, an accurate interpretation requires
accounting for three important contextual points.
First, the clear context is keeping order in the
church while practicing the gift of prophecy (see 1 Corinthians 14:31-33,
39-40). This point by itself could suggest that Paul’s statement only applies
to portions of a service devoted to prophecy. However, even this narrow
application is too broad, as we are about to see.
Second, Paul explicitly stated that women can
prophesy in church only minutes earlier in the same letter (1 Corinthians
11:5). Even atheists and liberal scholars agree that the apostle Paul was an
intelligent man. So, if it appears as though Paul repeatedly contradicted
himself in the span of a few minutes, that should prompt us to look more
closely.
Third, as with 1 Timothy 2:12, the words translated
women/woman can also be translated wives/wife. And they most likely should be
translated as such since verse 35 presumes all the women being addressed have
husbands.
I am generally wary of re-interpreting passages in
light of historical context because sometimes this approach is used to dismiss
what the passage plainly says. However, since Paul already stated that women
can indeed prophesy in church, and since we have so many aforementioned
examples of women occupying the offices of prophet, apostle, deacon, and other
positions of authority, in this case the historical context may well be
valuable. As it turns out, many theologians believe that wives in the
Corinthian congregation were contributing to an atmosphere of chaos by speaking
out of turn during the practice of spiritual gifts. This would explain
Corinthians 14:34-35’s contextual placement and its apparent contradiction with
Paul’s earlier statement.
Women, Authority, and Wisdom
Relationships are the most valuable things in the
universe. Women possess an innate appreciation for this truth since they are
more relational by nature. This equips them to be entrusted with enormous
amounts of spiritual authority if they also learn to assimilate the godly
pursuits that come more naturally to men, such as building, protecting, and
respect for hierarchy.
Stewarding authority has a lot to do with wisdom.
There seems to be a special connection in the Bible between women and wisdom.
It was the desire for wisdom, pursued in a forbidden way, which caused Eve to
disobey in the garden (Genesis 3:6). Also, in the book of Proverbs, a book all
about wisdom, wisdom is personified as a woman (chapters 3-4, 8-9) and it
culminates with a woman (chapter 31).
It is important to recognize that marriage
is the only context where headship and submission apply. The Bible does not say
that every man is the head of every woman. A
woman can be a church leader, a president, or a CEO. She can have authority
over countless people. The only thing a woman can never be is the
head of her husband.
This is because authority that bears spiritual fruit
requires grace from God. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how gifted or talented of
a leader a woman is; she still does not have grace to be the head of her
husband. Nor does it matter how much her husband prefers to follow; he does
have grace to be the head if he chooses to believe God for it.
If a woman stewards authority over other people, like
a CEO or a church leader does, it does not mean she is answerable to her
husband for how she operates in those roles. He can counsel her and pray for
her, but the authority is hers, not his. A husband’s position as the head only
gives him authority in the area of their marriage and family. There may be some
overlap between her family life and her other roles, but God can give couples
wisdom to navigate through unclear areas when they ask Him for it. Headship and submission can look different in every marriage. God gives
grace for each couple to apply His word to their unique relationship,
personalities, and circumstances.