The attitude of Paul in the Epistles is more difficult to determine because of the variety of
teaching found there, given in response to specific situations. The key to his teaching is Gal.3:28,
which states: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond or free, there is neither male
or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The context shows that Paul is speaking of the
new relationship that comes through faith and Christian baptism. His use of “male” and “female”
echoes Gen.1:27, where both man and woman are made in God’s image. And this passage does
not say that this will take place in the future, but speaks in the present tense!
Here we have the abolition not of sexual differences between men and women but the
abolition of their religious inequality.
Paul’s recognition of women as full members of the Christian community is further illustrated
by his affectionate greetings to them, i.e., “the beloved Persis” (Rom.16:2); “Apphia our sister”
(Philem.2); Rufus’ mother, “a mother to me, too” (Rom.16:13); and more importantly his
references to them as fellow workers. Phoebe (Rom.16:1-) is described as a diakonos, a deacon
or “minister,” “servant” of the church at Cenchreae (1 Tim.3:8; Phil.1:1;
Eph. 6:21;
Col. 1:7; etc);
and as Paul’s “patroness” (Greek prostatis... “Leader,” or “chief”). Priscilla, Mary,
Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Euodia, and Syntyche are all described as fellow workers or laborers in the
Gospel .
Phil 4:2-3
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side
in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose
names are in the book of life. (NIV)
What do you suppose Paul meant when he said that they were fellow workers or laborers “in
the Gospel?” Do you suppose that they cooked and washed for him? Think for a moment... What
if these words had been directed at men? Would you think that Paul meant that the men cooked
and washed for him or that they preached the Gospel also? Yes, that is what Paul meant, when he
referred to the women as workers “in the Gospel.” They preached the Gospel also. Notice that it
says plainly that these women worked side by side in telling the Good News to others. This IS
preaching the Gospel!
Junia (Rom.16:7) is said to be “outstanding among the apostles.” The evidence that this
name should be read as feminine is overwhelming: Chrysostom Hom. 31 in rom.; C.E.B.
Cranfield, ICC on Romans (1979), II, 788; Brooten, “Junia... Outstanding among the Apostles,”
in Swidler, Women Priests, pp. 141-144; No where in history is there an example of a man
ever bearing the name Junia!! There are a few who believer that
Romans 16:7 means that the
apostles found this woman to be an outstanding woman, but disbelieve that it meant she was an
apostle. However, all the references mentioned assure us that the correct understanding is that
this woman was an apostle and that she did the work of an evangelist in spreading the Gospel to
both men and women. (conīt from above.)