Do You Believe In Women Preachers?

[Falla39]

God gave Adam a "helpmeet". God gave men and women the Holy Ghost (The word Helper
may also be translated “Comforter” or “Counselor,” and literally means “one called alongside
to help. ...

I feel most ladies in the church do not mind at all to be a helper to her husband, but what
usually causes problems is the attitude that she is the lower of the genders. That attitude
that says " You be quite, I'm the Big IT". I personally know of a man many years ago, who
claimed to be called of God to preach. He lorded over his sweet little wife and after several
children, cheated on her, and she was left with these little ones with no job, no car, etc.!
God provided for her and her children in miracleous ways. She never married until her ex had
been gone several years after doing her wrong, and after her children were grown.

He would tell her, "You have to obey me, because the Bible says so." Disregarding that the
Bible also says, "Thou shalt not commit adultery". I realize that all men are not like this. but
many are. There are also women who do their husbands wrong too. Wrong is wrong no matter
who does it!

If God calls a man to be a pastor, etc.,. does HE not also call a "helper" to help him.
BUT the Holy Ghost/Spirit is the HELPER of both man and woman. And I believe before a
man is called to pastor, he needs to take care of his own house (wife and children) so
that he can know how to take care of the house of the Lord. How does a man who has
no children,know how to care for the Lord's family. If a preacher does not know how to
really love his fellow ministers, (brothers and sisters in Christ), how can he adequately
love (men and women) in his church. In Cor. 2: the LORD ALMIGHTY said "And they shall
be my SONS and DAUGHTERS!! As a senior sister in the household of faith, I do not feel
love from some of my supposely brothers in Christ! Just being very honest. Could it be
that some in professing to be wise, they have become foolish!

Falla39

[Sister Alvear]

Redemption has to be greater than the fall and must go beyond all dimensions that the fall brought upon humanity. Redemption covers every area of life. Why is it that we have no difficulty in celebrating what redemption has brought to mankind, but yet find it hard to celebrate redemption in connection with the woman? Could it be that many theologians have biased ideas and opinions?
Revelation 20:6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection as such the second death hath no power but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years. This refers to the same event where there will be no difference in sex neither male nor female. Note that the Bible says “And shall reign (rule) with him one thousand years.” God’s original conception of things will be restored; male and female will be governing co-equal again (Revelation 1:6 and 5:10). Many people accept this theory in the coming generations but don’t want it in this generation. It stands to reason in this generation we are yet striving to reach that place in Christ. But as we put on Christ more and more we will see less competition among the sexes. We will all begin to realize that when the spirit moves upon us to speak we neither speak as male or female but as oracles of God. Our voice becomes his voice when we ae in perfect harmony with Him.
It is true that only in the first resurrection will women experience and understand all the deep things Christ had for them. We all know this, but this present generation is the first fruit generation where from we anticipate coming things. For Christ died on the cross to redeem your spirit, soul and body. But it will not be until the first resurrection that you will see and experience the redemption of your body; yet we have the first fruits of His blessings (inheritance). If you have the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you have the first fruits of this inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13-14: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit and promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” The woman will not experience all the manifestations of her liberty until Jesus comes, but it would be wrong to say she has no type of emancipation.
Acts 2:16, 17: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream
dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my spirit; and they shall prophecy.
When the Holy Ghost came, it brought the first fruits or anticipation of a glorious and total liberty that takes away all disadvantages of women. Peter said: your sons and your daughters too shall prophesy (No difference). Pentecost brought the anticipated feminine emancipation.
Genesis 3:12: “And the man said, The women thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” God came to see what had happened. Adam blamed his wife and at the same time blamed God saying, “The woman gave to me and I did eat.” Then the Lord turned and looked to the woman who pointed the blame back into the devil’s face.
The devil has hated her every since. The devil hated her because she accused him before the Lord as being responsible for the fall. With hate he has tried to humiliate and degrade her ever since. That’s why there are so many false doctrines that try to degrade women. Genesis 3:15, began a war between the woman and the devil because it would be from her seed that redemption would come (Galatians 4:4).
It is interesting to note that - three names are applied to Adam’s wife:
(1) Woman (in Genesis 2:23)
(2)Both are called Adam in Genesis 5:2. God made
them “one flesh” and gave them one name.
(3) Eve was the name given after the transgression
(Genesis 3:16, 20). Eve means “life” or “life- giving” or mother of all who have life. Maybe this helps us understand better that as mentioned through the seed of the woman, sin would one day be vanquished and death would be swallowed up in victory.
Through a woman the Holy Ghost was going to conceive and make the Word flesh. The love of God is beautiful which anoints a lowly woman to speak the Word. Jesus is the central figure. God lifted woman up and used her to bring forth Jesus. Adam was first but He came by woman. It is the woman more than the man that appears in the redemption story. Genesis 3:15; Galatians 4:4-5; Luke 1:26-30; Luke 1:42.
The incarnation of the Word gives the women freedom to preach, to minister, to speak publicly and to defend the Word of God. This is one of the theological implications of the doctrine of incarnation.

[Sister Alvear]

Something so very special happened to a woman. She carried Grace and Truth. The only time the glory of God was totally encased in flesh was by a virgin girl named Mary. For the Bible says “that holy thing” referring to the fetus of Jesus Christ was the New Testament Ark of the Covenant. The Holiest of Holies lay nestled safely in her womb. The first time the mercy seat would ever be touched as human form would be touched by Mary. She embraced it and cradled it in her arms - the very Word of life.
The man ruling over the woman is not natural (original state of things), it is abnormal - a result of sin. It is like death. Death is not natural, it is abnormal - a result of sin. I’ve heard people say that some person died a natural death. Death may be common, but it is not natural. God planned that we should live forever, so death is not natural. One day it will be swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:55). The man has governed the woman ever since the fall so it may sound common and seem natural but that was not God’s original plan.
Not in domestic life, but a spiritual view point concerning spiritual things. In the first resurrection the situation above mentioned will be mended.
The woman was put under a divine order to be subject to her husband. We all know that, and no godly woman would disagree. Paul’s teaching on a woman’s obedience to the husband is based on the precept of loving his wife as Christ loved the church. He gave His life for it.
Paul recognized and taught that men and women are heirs together in grace. I Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and all have been - all made to drink into one Spirit. Ephesians 6-8: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall receive of the Lord, Whether he be bond or free. Colossians 3:10-11: And have put on the new man, Which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcison, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
And let the peace of God rule in your heart, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:15-16).
It is interesting to note that God provided for Adam a “helpmeet” (help meet). Meet also means suitable so, a help suitable for him. It is only where true Christianity is practiced that the woman attains to such a position as the helper or equal of man in the presence of the Lord. In lands where darkness reigns, woman is the slave, the chattel of man. The Hebrew word helpmeet means, the exact counterpart of himself, or the exact formulation of the other.
God did not create Eve to be Adam’s servant, but created her to be an equal companion. When I say equal I mean equal is worth not equal in order. God created another being like Adam for companionship. Even when God created the animals, fowls, and fish, the females were not slaves to their male counterparts. This requires equality of mutuality. The two earthlings would share the same tasks and responsibilities. Genesis 1:28: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The Hebrew term “eler” translated as “helper” does carry a connotation of assistance, but whether the help comes from a superior or an inferior cannot be determined without context. The term describing what the woman does for Adam can also refer to what God does for the people (Psalm 33:20; 54:4; 70:5; 79:9; 109:26; 115:9-1-1). Clearly this kind of help does not denote servitude or subservience.

[Sister Alvear]

This term does not imply that the woman was in any way inferior to the man or the human creature. The word simply ascribes a beneficial relationship between two parties in which one helps the other. There is no sense in which the helper is subordinate to the one in need of help. If the man is superior, why would he need any help at all from one who is inferior. Isn’t it usually the inferior that requires help from the superior? As a doctor who is superior in medical knowledge reaches out to help an inferior, his sickly patient.
The word “helper” translates better as “Partner” since it is used in the Old Testament to denote an agent of equal or even superior strength. God is the only other entity to whom the Old Testament applies the word. For example: Psalm 46:1, “A time of help in trouble”, Deuteronomy 33:26, “Rides the heaven to your rescue”, and Psalm 70:5, “My helper, my Savior, Yahweh.” I am not saying the woman is above man I am only saying as helper she is not a slave.
The women in the Old Testament had a tremendous disadvantage. As we continue to read God’s Word, we can slowly see the dignity of the woman being restored. Even with the devil furiously fighting against her, there were occasions when she rose above her disadvantages showing a marvelous manifestation of courage and, on several occasions exercising notable ministries.
We may want to hide from these stories. They are sometimes unpleasant in the extreme. They raise issues we may wish to avoid or deny. Yet they are stories of the lives of women who lived as we live in an abusive, even hostile world. We will study stories that speak the truth bringing the light of day into a darkened world, uncovering sins - that permeated lives.
The Bible tells about women used in leadership and their proclamation of faith. There have always been women who transcended the boundaries that their society placed upon them. There have always been women whose faith motivated them to acts of courage and to powerful ministries that made them known and felt. These stories teach us undeniable truth.
Women can be and should be effective servants of God in every spiritual dimension. Women of the Old Testament faith were preachers, proclaimers, wealthy and powerful supporters, prophetesses, military heroes and judges.
These ancient women of faith were average people with normal lives who found ways to serve God in every facet of their lives. We need to shake aside the shackles of bureaucratic structures, which chain the tongues of over half the Christian believers.
The problem that women preachers face today is not the lack of God’s call but traditions which men have developed that resist her call. Eternity alone will reveal the extent of the influence of women whose spirit came to rejoice in God their Savior and who, having discovered the well of life, left their water pots to go and tell of the gospel story.
When Jesus entered upon His earthly ministry, women intently responded to His teachings, sympathized with Him in His darkest hours and found in Him their benefactor and friend. Women were the last to leave the cross, first at the tomb on Christ’s resurrection day, and the first to proclaim the glorious news of His victory over the grave.
In the annals of the early church, women are likewise notable for their spiritual devotion, fidelity, in teaching the Word of God, and sacrificial support of God’s servants. Their faith and prayers were mingled with those of the apostles in preparation for Pentecost and through out Christian era. The church owes more than it realizes to the prayers, loyalty and gifts of its female members. From the time when women labored with Paul in the gospel (Philippians 4:3), religious leaders have been dependent upon the miniseries of women. Gifted and consecrated women figure prominently in the labors of Paul. Owing much to the Redeemer for her spiritual freedom and ennoblement, woman has endeavored to pay her debt in unreserved devotion to Him who was born of a woman.
Bible women form the most remarkable portrait gallery of women preachers in existence. Many of them are among the immortals, whose records shine brightly for us in God’s biography of humanity.
One of the reasons that religious leaders were against Jesus was that He did not accept the Jewish traditions that were accepted by almost everyone else. For example, Jesus healed on the Sabbath, dined with sinners, and talked with women who were not of the Jewish race. He not only talked with them, but also taught them - something unheard of in His day. Jesus sent His disciples to gather corn on the Sabbath (Mark 2:3-28). He healed on the Sabbath; He broke many of their rules proving that traditions of men are not the laws of God!
Christ seemly considered Himself Lord of “traditions”. Whenever tradition hinders or prevents the work of Christ, it is necessary to dismiss that tradition.
Paul taught the Galatians freedom and liberty in the Spirit. In Christ there is no racial or ethnic superiority. No culture or class superiority, no gender superiority (Galatians 3:28). Paul taught the gifts are for all (I Corinthians 12:27-28; II Corinthians 5:20).
Women like men can pray and prophesy in the congregation. By prophesying, Paul meant intelligible preaching that built up the faith of the church.
When tradition hinders or prevents the work of Christ, it is necessary to alter that tradition. The perpetuation of a tradition that no longer serves humanity but dictates to how one should do something then thwarts the purposes of God’s church. It is then the tradition is in conflict with the will of God.

[Sister Alvear]

I Corinthians 14:34-35. “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. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”

(I Timothy 2:8-15) “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

Throughout the Bible there are evidences of women teaching and leading. Deborah as prophetess taught as well as led. Miriam was a leader. Paul spoke of women co-laborers, deacons and gospel workers. Certainly they taught. Their offices and titles show proof that certain women were used in the gifts of the spirit (I Corinthians 11:5; Acts 21:9)...”Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). Did you notice singing is also a teaching ministry? O consistency thou art a jewel!

I Corinthians 14:34-35 was written in the New Testament. The New Testament refers to an end of the old way and living a new way. It was a better dispensation. Could these verses mean she is in a worse situation than before in the Old Testament?

Under the Old Testament law, she could rise above her situation or disadvantage and prophesy, judge Israel, instruct kings, save nations. If she could do this under the law then under the New Testament she should be able to do more. One thing for certain says the book of Hebrews we live in a better day. If we take these two verses alone by themselves, I would say we do not live in a better era. It’s no good for the women just to sit in silence.
The woman shall not read the Bible. (In other words she shall not read her Bible in church). It is better to burn the law (Bible) than to permit it to be taught by a woman. The testimony of one hundred women is not equal to the testimony of one man.

The jury only applies to men. The body of a man can be carried through the streets for burial, but you need not worry about a woman’s body. A woman cannot be counted to make up a Jewish congregation (nine men and one woman is not enough.) A woman should not speak among men. Where did these laws and biased opinions come from? The Jewish Talmud!

It surely did not come from the Bible! The Jewish Talmud is the Jewish commentary of the Law of Moses. All traditions as well as many others came from the Talmud. The Jewish Talmud was in existence when our Lord Jesus was upon earth. Jesus knew all about “their” Talmud and that the Jews considered observing the Talmud as a vital part of life.

The Rabbis had passed the Talmud on from generation to generation. The people accepted the Talmud like a Bible. To them it was a law meant to be obeyed. Notice when our Lord Jesus came to earth He did not conform His life or ministry to the Talmudic Laws. It seems He even had a radical opinion when it came to women.

Notice John 4:27: And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, what seekest thou? Or, why talkest thou with her? The disciples marveled because he was talking to a woman, not because she was a bad woman, just because she was a woman.

Perhaps they marveled also just because he was talking to a woman, since in times of Christ no Jewish rabbi would take out time to speak with a woman. To them all women were insignificant. Women were only to bear children and to take care of their husbands. Religiously speaking she was not taught that a woman was inferior and subordinate.

Our Lord Jesus showed a different attitude. His principles were different than the everyday Jewish life and attitudes. Jesus did not rebuke the women that spoke (see Luke 8:47; 11:27; 13:13).

Jesus put aside their Talmud with its severe laws and restrictions about women. He did what no other rabbi would have done at that time. He declared that one of His objectives was “to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18).

John 8 is an example of prejudice born within the Talmud. John 8:3: “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst- -.”

They were not really concerned with Moses’ Law. Had that been, they would have brought the man also. They had caught them in the act of adultery, but they brought the woman only. This was a set up of the Pharisees to trap Jesus.

Jesus ignored the entrapments of the Pharisees. Though there were many injustices towards women, Jesus continued in silence writing in the sand. The men went away ashamed and confused.

[Sister Alvear]

The Jews scandalized his friendship with Mary and Martha, but he paid no attention. Jesus did not accept the Talmud as divine law. “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother let him die the death. But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, it is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightiest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:1-9).

Jesus paid no attention to their Talmud. The scribes understood what Jesus was getting at. My friend, crucial issues are at stake. Will we lapse into the stifling silences? Will you join the oppression of women by calling it God’s will?

Do you know where it states: “A woman is not to come forward to read and whoever teaches his daughter the Torah is like one who teaches her obscenity - Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman. (Rabbi Eliezer: Mishnah Sotah 3,4).

In the Old Testament women proclaimed the faith. The voices of women broke through the barriers. Admittedly, the proclamations of these women were few and far between. The male culture succeeded in stifling most of the women, but their voices came through and their voices will continue to come through.

Do you know that no woman ever spoke against Jesus? Even Pilate’s wife defended Him saying Ado nothing against this just man. When those men were fighting about who would sit next to the throne, it was only Mary that perceived His death was near. It was Mary that anointed His feet. Judas rebuked her, but Jesus said, "she is preparing me for my death. She showed more perception than all the men did together.

When the multitude was scorning Him, it was the daughters of Jerusalem that were weeping. When the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jews, it was the women that were walking in the darkness of the garden with oil to anoint their Lord.

It seemed that the women understood that they were in the presence of their best friend. The day of Pentecost rang Jubilee bells for all women. Acts 2:16-18: But this is that - which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:


In the long history of the church, God has conducted its affairs in a way that often was beyond human understanding. Peter once said, If then God gave them the same gift to them as he gave us...who was I (who are we) that I (we) could withstand God (Acts 11:1).

I Corinthians 14:34-35: 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 satin the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

These two scriptures seem to confuse people about women more than any other scriptures of the Bible. It that seems at face value they are an open variation to the rest of the Bible. Why does it not fit in with the rest of the Bible? Why such a hard and cruel commandment? Why so severe, so shocking? Why such a cruel, harsh command made by an apostle of Lord Jesus Christ? Much worse than the Old Testament laws and yet it was supposed to be in a better dispensation. This was supposedly a time of a better promise.

I Corinthians 14:37: 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. Here, he contrasts the commandment of the Lord with the precepts of men, which the oral law of the Jews taught.

Paul gave all permission to speak in his universal rule, but a moment before in verse 3, for ye may all prophecy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. The word silence means in the text in I Corinthians in the Greek, absolute silence, and not a reverence type silence. It means no sound so that would mean no singing, no testifying, no way to operate the spiritual gifts, no preaching, of course not receiving the Holy Ghost, for there is no way to receive it without speaking in tongues. O Consistency, thou art a jewel!

So let’s be consistent. Either a woman’s voice must break the silence of any assembly, whether small or great, or give her an opportunity if the Spirit leads her to proclaim the gospel. But like any other debatable passage, there is a key to understanding it.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by rdp

And, though I don't have the time right now, I could just as easily post quotes that say Junias is a man...not a woman! Again, the word is masculine...not feminine! What more do you want?????

I was quoting the very source you claimed says the word is masculine. It's NOT masculine, it's feminine

[Sister Alvear]

The Jews scandalized his friendship with Mary and Martha, but he paid no attention. Jesus did not accept the Talmud as divine law. “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother let him die the death. But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, it is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightiest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:1-9).

Jesus paid no attention to their Talmud. The scribes understood what Jesus was getting at. My friend, crucial issues are at stake. Will we lapse into the stifling silences? Will you join the oppression of women by calling it God’s will?

Do you know where it states: “A woman is not to come forward to read and whoever teaches his daughter the Torah is like one who teaches her obscenity - Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman. (Rabbi Eliezer: Mishnah Sotah 3,4).

In the Old Testament women proclaimed the faith. The voices of women broke through the barriers. Admittedly, the proclamations of these women were few and far between. The male culture succeeded in stifling most of the women, but their voices came through and their voices will continue to come through.

Do you know that no woman ever spoke against Jesus? Even Pilate’s wife defended Him saying Ado nothing against this just man. When those men were fighting about who would sit next to the throne, it was only Mary that perceived His death was near. It was Mary that anointed His feet. Judas rebuked her, but Jesus said, "she is preparing me for my death. She showed more perception than all the men did together.

When the multitude was scorning Him, it was the daughters of Jerusalem that were weeping. When the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jews, it was the women that were walking in the darkness of the garden with oil to anoint their Lord.

It seemed that the women understood that they were in the presence of their best friend. The day of Pentecost rang Jubilee bells for all women. Acts 2:16-18: But this is that - which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:


In the long history of the church, God has conducted its affairs in a way that often was beyond human understanding. Peter once said, If then God gave them the same gift to them as he gave us...who was I (who are we) that I (we) could withstand God (Acts 11:1).

I Corinthians 14:34-35: 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 satin the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

These two scriptures seem to confuse people about women more than any other scriptures of the Bible. It that seems at face value they are an open variation to the rest of the Bible. Why does it not fit in with the rest of the Bible? Why such a hard and cruel commandment? Why so severe, so shocking? Why such a cruel, harsh command made by an apostle of Lord Jesus Christ? Much worse than the Old Testament laws and yet it was supposed to be in a better dispensation. This was supposedly a time of a better promise.

I Corinthians 14:37: 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. Here, he contrasts the commandment of the Lord with the precepts of men, which the oral law of the Jews taught.

Paul gave all permission to speak in his universal rule, but a moment before in verse 3, for ye may all prophecy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. The word silence means in the text in I Corinthians in the Greek, absolute silence, and not a reverence type silence. It means no sound so that would mean no singing, no testifying, no way to operate the spiritual gifts, no preaching, of course not receiving the Holy Ghost, for there is no way to receive it without speaking in tongues. O Consistency, thou art a jewel!

So let’s be consistent. Either a woman’s voice must break the silence of any assembly, whether small or great, or give her an opportunity if the Spirit leads her to proclaim the gospel. But like any other debatable passage, there is a key to understanding it.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by rdp

Hey Prax...way to quote BAGD's....3rd edition! The 2nd edition is the most widely accepted amongst scholars, since it's well known that Gingrich waffled on quite a bit of the definitions from the 2nd edition. I think it's the 2nd edition [I think?] that says it "CANNOT be known for sure whether Junias be a man or woman." Thus, any "point" about Junias cannot be concrete.

If it says it cannot be known for sure why did you say earlier the BDAG says the word is a masculine noun??

[Sister Alvear]

The key to understand this Scripture is learning what law Paul is referring to. Returning to I Corinthians 14:34-35, notice it says, "as saith the law." If there be a law that says that, we must find it. The first law of God was the law of innocence and purity found in Genesis 1:28. this is the original law. In that law we find both sexes governing and ruling.

It was not the law of purity and innocence, so it could not be that law. We know that in Genesis 3:15-16, things changed. "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

Man ruling the woman was a result of sin. But even with the sin penalty it was not said she could not speak in the church or among men in the future. God did not say that. He did not put this limitation on the woman after the fall. The order of the church must be determined not by the creation or the fall, but by Christ’s work in redemption. The gospel puts both male and female on the same level. We are "fellow workers" in the gospel.

So Paul was not citing from the law after the fall; he was not talking about Moses’ church because women spoke in Moses’ church. Let us examine Numbers 27:1-6 where we see a business meeting. These five girls won the victory because they spoke out in the congregation. They were before the princes of Israel. This was an injustice that was going to be done. They were going to lose their inheritance because they had no brothers.
These girls came to church and argued their case. Do you think that Moses told the girls to be quiet; you cannot speak in church. Moses did not even understand such and attitude or spirit. Moses’ reaction was righteous and just. He took the case before Jehovah and God said the daughters of Zelophehad speak right: They spoke in church and were right!

So in I Corinthians Paul was not speaking from the Law of Moses because the Law of Moses permitted women to speak in church. Education in the law was not forbidden to females in Moses’ time. Only those who have dared sit in Moses’ seat have enacted the harsh dogma. Let the words of the law be burned, but let not the words of the law be imparted to women (a famous Rabbinical decision).

Notice I Samuel 1:12-14, a happening in the temple (a place of worship). Hannah was in great affliction of soul, so much that she wept sore before the Lord until her voice was gone, and no sound came from her mouth. Eli the priest rebuked her since he thought she was drunk because she made no sound with her voice, only her lips moved. Eli was concerned because she was not making noise with her mouth.

Returning to I Corinthians 14:34-35, some will say the girls in Numbers had a legal problem and that Hannah was praying for a son; but certainly no woman could preach in Moses’ church. Well, let’s look once again in Luke 2:36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, and a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. It was the temple where Anna observed Moses’ law, and there she abode day and night speaking of the coming Messiah. She spoke to all that awaited redemption of Israel.



She spoke with them about Messiah. Each one that came to the temple listened to her speak of the Redeemer. It isn’t recorded anywhere that anyone ever rebuked her for speaking or prophesying in the temple. Acts 7:44 calls it the tabernacle (church) in the wilderness.

Paul was not speaking of the law of innocence or the law after the fall or even the Law of Moses. So what law was he speaking of? Some will say, Paul made his own law. I cannot believe that because of his attitude in other places about women. And I entreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life (Philippians 4:3). Paul states that Euodias and Syntyche have contended side by side with him in the Lord as contestants would in an athletic competition. A - - that they be of the same mind (Philippians 4:2).

Romans 16:1-2 reads that Phoebe had labored with the Apostle. In Romans 16:3, Pricilla is called by Paul, my helper, fellow helper RV. Romans 16:12 Salute Trephine and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord. Trephine, and Tryphosa, women, and who labored much in the Lord. These are all women; yet the same apostle that wrote I Corinthians 14:34 said in I Corinthians 16:16, that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboreth. (Be in subjection, RV) to everyone that helpeth with us and laboreth.

In Acts 18:26 and 2 Timothy 4:19, the apostle Paul gives Priscilla the honor of first mention. Note also his salutation in Romans 16:3. Greet Pricilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus. When Pricilla and Aqua heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). It is highly significant that both Pricilla and Aquila are named as instructing and illuminating Apollos. There can be no question that here is a woman engaged in teaching ministry, and she is teaching a man.