A young convert has come to me with a question about a seeming conflict of scripture passages. I'm not sure how to address this; I can surely use your input. These are the passages: 1Cor.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 any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 1Cor.11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. Gal.5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. God's blessings, Janice.
Let's start with 1 Cor 11. Notice how there are different outward standards for the man and the woman. Paul makes the point that regardless of the outward differences between men and women, there is no differences in their spirits. The reason he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians was because of the division within the church. His words to the Corinthians are often interpreted incorrectly by well-meaning but mistaken fundamentalists who suggest a significant division between men and women. Actually, it is the reverse; Paul is trying to heal the division; interestingly, he actually states the equality of womens' spirits to mens' by cautioning them to cover their heads in church.
In 1 Corinthians 11:10, the Greek word exousia means (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:— authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. It is a powerful word that represents a woman's spirit, and she must cover her head for one reason...to avoid confusing the angels during worship. If her head is uncovered, she reflects the glory of the man, the man reflects the glory of the LORD God. Both reflections are of the same nature, and the angels are unable to distinguish between the two reflections. (1 Cor 11:7).
Paul stresses the equality of sexes, but distinguishes differences in their functions. Men and women have different responsibility and accountability, but neither sex is superior to the other. Paul is encouraging the divine order of things that is the shadow of the relationship between the LORD God, Jesus Christ, and the Church. It is that relationship that is stressed when men and women's natures or position in the Kingdom of God are compared. However, (this is so very important to understand), when the Bible speaks of the "Man" or "Men" of God, in most cases they are speaking of Women of God also.
God doesn't think of women as second class Christians, and he doesn't forbid them from coming to Him, standing strong in faith, walking forward toward Him, or accomplishing great works in His name. In fact, some of the strongest Christian works of past history are accomplished by women, and glory has been brought to Him as a result of their efforts.
It is confusing for the women of today to understand why they would be excluded from preaching in the churches. Many women rebel against this restriction, and with a "I'll show the world I can preach as good as a man" attitude, bull their way forward, and accomplish good things when judged from the standards of men, but lacking when measured with His Word.
It all boils down to the Will of God, and His Ways. His Word has prohibited women from speaking in churches (especially with regards to prophesy, speaking in tongues and interpreting within the church from an authority position) (I Cor 14:34-35). But notice the power of women outside the Church Office of deaconed managers. Watch how they raise the preachers to preach, and write the books that lead the saints, and stand firm against tyranny and persecution. Marvel at the women who balance life and provide a foundation of Jesus Christ for their families and friends in the midst of turmoil and strife.
Women are beloved by God, and used by Him. The simple restriction prohibiting holding an authority office within the church, is balanced with extra opportunities to serve Him, that a man would never be able to achieve...
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:10-31)
The Word of God is clear on the virtue of righteous women, and the power of spirit that is equal to men, and a faith that is so strong it upholds the spiritual lives of those He brings to her. Christian women must not get too caught up in jealousy or feelings of unworthiness because of the few prohibitions contained specifically toward them in the Word of God. The opportunities of spiritual service and opportunity far exceed the few restrictions that God has placed upon women, as His Will and Ways are expressed through His Word.
Kathy L. McFarland
Let's start with 1 Cor 11. Notice how there are different outward standards for the man and the woman. Paul makes the point that regardless of the outward differences between men and women, there is no differences in their spirits. The reason he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians was because of the division within the church. His words to the Corinthians are often interpreted incorrectly by well-meaning but mistaken fundamentalists who suggest a significant division between men and women. Actually, it is the reverse; Paul is trying to heal the division; interestingly, he actually states the equality of womens' spirits to mens' by cautioning them to cover their heads in church.
In 1 Corinthians 11:10, the Greek word exousia means (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:— authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. It is a powerful word that represents a woman's spirit, and she must cover her head for one reason...to avoid confusing the angels during worship. If her head is uncovered, she reflects the glory of the man, the man reflects the glory of the LORD God. Both reflections are of the same nature, and the angels are unable to distinguish between the two reflections. (1 Cor 11:7).
Paul stresses the equality of sexes, but distinguishes differences in their functions. Men and women have different responsibility and accountability, but neither sex is superior to the other. Paul is encouraging the divine order of things that is the shadow of the relationship between the LORD God, Jesus Christ, and the Church. It is that relationship that is stressed when men and women's natures or position in the Kingdom of God are compared. However, (this is so very important to understand), when the Bible speaks of the "Man" or "Men" of God, in most cases they are speaking of Women of God also.
God doesn't think of women as second class Christians, and he doesn't forbid them from coming to Him, standing strong in faith, walking forward toward Him, or accomplishing great works in His name. In fact, some of the strongest Christian works of past history are accomplished by women, and glory has been brought to Him as a result of their efforts.
It is confusing for the women of today to understand why they would be excluded from preaching in the churches. Many women rebel against this restriction, and with a "I'll show the world I can preach as good as a man" attitude, bull their way forward, and accomplish good things when judged from the standards of men, but lacking when measured with His Word.
It all boils down to the Will of God, and His Ways. His Word has prohibited women from speaking in churches (especially with regards to prophesy, speaking in tongues and interpreting within the church from an authority position) (I Cor 14:34-35). But notice the power of women outside the Church Office of deaconed managers. Watch how they raise the preachers to preach, and write the books that lead the saints, and stand firm against tyranny and persecution. Marvel at the women who balance life and provide a foundation of Jesus Christ for their families and friends in the midst of turmoil and strife.
Women are beloved by God, and used by Him. The simple restriction prohibiting holding an authority office within the church, is balanced with extra opportunities to serve Him, that a man would never be able to achieve...
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:10-31)
The Word of God is clear on the virtue of righteous women, and the power of spirit that is equal to men, and a faith that is so strong it upholds the spiritual lives of those He brings to her. Christian women must not get too caught up in jealousy or feelings of unworthiness because of the few prohibitions contained specifically toward them in the Word of God. The opportunities of spiritual service and opportunity far exceed the few restrictions that God has placed upon women, as His Will and Ways are expressed through His Word.
Kathy L. McFarland
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