Q. Doesn't the Bible say women can't assume leadership roles in the church?
The Bible offers many examples of women who were placed by God in positions of spiritual authority. The most prominent Old Testament example is Deborah (see Judg. 4), but other examples include Miriam, who was a prophetess and worship leader (see I Ex. 15:20), and the prophetess Huldah (see 2Kin. 22:14). And in the New Testament, the apostle Paul mentions nine women who served as-laborers on his apostolic team. One woman, Junia, is described as an apostle (see Rom. 16:7). Another itinerant female minister, Priscilla, brought doctrinal correction to Apollos (see Acts 18:24-26).

Q. But didn't the apostle Paul say in 1Timothy 2:12 that women aren't allowed to teach or to have authority over men?
This verse is commonly cited to suggest that women can never teach men in a church setting. But because it contradicts other biblical passages that describe women exercising spiritual authority, we must look deeper to discover the context of the passage. In this verse, Paul says he wants women to "be in silence" (NKJV).

But in other epistles he endorses the idea of women praying and prophesying publicly (see 1 Cor. 11 :5). So obviously his stern restriction on women in 1Timothy 2:12 does not apply to all women in all situations.

Many Bible scholars believe Paul was dealing with a serious heresy problem in the church at Ephesus when he wrote 1Timothy 2:12. Certain female teachers were spreading dangerous gnostic fables, and in some cases they were suggesting that women are superior to men or that Eve was created before Adam. Paul commanded Timothy not to let these women spread their doctrines. Yet we know that he was more than willing to let trained, Bible-believing women teach-since he commends such female ministers as Phoebe, Junia, Priscilla, Tryphena and Tryphosa.

Q . Then why didn't Jesus appoint any women to be His disciples?
Jesus did have women disciples. He encouraged Mary to sit at his feet and learn His teaching (see Luke 10:38-42) even though Jewish rabbis never allowed women to learn the Torah. Jesus' women followers also supported him financially (see Luke 8:1-3), and they were the first to be witnesses of His resurrection-even though women were not considered credible witnesses in court in first century Israel. There also were women disciples in the upper room when the Holy Spirit empowered the church on the day of Pentecost.

So why did Jesus select 12 men to be His most visible representatives? Some Bible scholars say He did this to make a symbolic statement to the Jews. The 12 disciples symbolized the 12 tribes of Israel, and this was a prophetic sign that Jesus had come to establish a "new Israel " through the new covenant.

Q. If women can be spiritual leaders, then why did Paul say they had to be silent in church?
The apostle Paul's strong words in 1 Corinthians 14:34 ("Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak") is a curious verse, one that has perplexed scholars because it seems to contradict Paul's earlier words in the same chapter-in which he encourages all believers to prophesy. Some theologians believe the apostle is calling for order because women were disrupting the church meeting with loud, argumentative chatter. Others believe that verses 34 and 35 are quotes from a letter written to Paul by the leaders of the Corinthian church, which Paul answers in verse 36 (Amplified by saying: "What Did the Word of the Lord originate with you?"

However we interpret the complexities of this passage, we cannot use it to create a blanket rule that restricts women from preaching, praying, teaching or proph­esying. Women prophets appear in the Old and New Testaments, and Joel 2:28 declares that both your "sons and your daughters" (NKJV, emphasis added) would prophesy after the Holy Spirit was given to the church.

Q .But didn't Paul also say that women shouldn't teach because they are more easily deceived than men?
Paul mentions Eve's deception when he tells Timothy that he won't allow women to usurp men's authority (see 1Tim. 2:14). But this is in the context of the situation at the church in Ephesus­ where ignorant, untrained women were spreading heresy by claiming to have special revelations. If Paul believed that all women were deceivers by nature he would not have commissioned Priscilla, Junia or any other woman to lead churches or share apostolic responsibility. His comment about Eve was a warning about the dangers of letting untrained people spread doctrinal error. It is a chauvinistic view to suggest that women are more easily deceived than men. Both men and women have a fallen nature, and both have the capacity to deceive and to be deceived. But when women are trained to skillfully handle the Word of God, they deserve our respect.

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