A woman's role in the church...

Today it is evident the role for a woman in the church is somewhat skewed. You can look on television and even walk into a bookstore and the shelves are lined with these so-called "women evangelists".
My question is simply this, "What is the woman's role in the church according to the Bible?" If we trust that the Bible is the infallible word of God and that everything in it is truth, I think that we can get an answer.
So, let's begin shall we?

In Genesis 1, it is made clear that both men and women are equally created in the image of God. As human beings in the flesh they are absolutely 100% equal. Neither took on more of the image of God than the other. Basic equality of the sexes. Moving on in to Genesis chapter 2, we delve a little deeper into the responsibilities of the these two individuals. It is made clear that Adam was the one created first. He (God) later created Eve to be none other than Adam's "helper". Upon being made equal to Adam, her role and duty was that of submission to him. Even before the "curse" or "fall" the role has always remained the same for women. Submissive and helper. Exodus 21:15,17, 28-31 talks about the equality of men and women and the support role for women.

After the "fall" or "curse" there were consequences given to each party.( Genesis 3:16-19) To the woman he gave multiplied pain during child birth along with tension in the authority-submission relationship between husband and wife. Genesis 3:16 says the woman's "desire" will be for her husband but he shall "rule" over her. In Genesis 4:7 the author is using the same word "desire" to mean "excessive control over". This is showing the woman's new want/need/desire to exercise control over her husband-but he will oppressively rule and exert authority over her. So all through history, along with evidence seen from the very beginning, there has been a battle between the sexes for women to rule over the men and men fighting for dominance.
As seen all through the Old Testament, women were very active in religious matters, however, generally none were leaders. Women like Deborah (Judges 4) were clearly the exception and not the rule! There were no women with an ongoing prophetic ministry. No women priests and no Queens ruling over Israel. No woman wrote an OT or NT book. In Isaiah 3:12 it is indicating that God allowed women to rule as part of His judgment on a sinning nation...


In the Greek, Roman and Jewish empires women were more regarded as possessions, whereby Jesus came along and showed love and respect towards the women. Jewish rabbis felt that women were not capable of understanding religious things such as the Jewish Talmud. They would even go to extents saying that it was better to burn the Torah than to try and teach women. Jesus however, did not agree with the idea that women could not understand biblical teachings and theology. Not only did He include them in His audience, He would also use illustrations in His teachings that would be familiar to them. (Matt 13:33, 22:1-2, 24:41 ; Luke 15:8-10) He would even specifically apply His teaching to them (Matt 10:34). In John 4 we read about the Samaritan woman at the well. Here Jesus reveled Himself to be the Messiah and also discussed topics such as eternal life and the nature of true worship. In regards to the encounter with Mary and Martha, Jesus explained the importance over learning spiritual truths versus "womanly" responsibilities, like serving guests in one's home (Luke 10:38)
In those days it was rare for a woman to give change into a man's hand for fear of physical contact, but Jesus however, laid His hands on women to heal them and even allowed them to touch Him (Luke 13:10 ; Mark 5:25). There was even a small group of woman that traveled around with Him and the disciples (Luke 8:1-3) something at that time was unheard of! Once Jesus rose from the dead, His first appearance was to Mary Magdalene and He sent her out to make the announcement to the disciples (John 20:1-18). At that time women were not regarded as true witnesses in the Jewish courts because they were considered liars. In all these cases Jesus showed compassion and respect towards women making them experience an equality that they had never known before. Nevertheless, amongst all the compassion and respect Jesus never lifted or exalted them to a place of leadership over the men.

In Galatians chapter 3 verse 28, it is seen where the way of salvation is the same for both men and women and too, that they are both equal members standing the body of Christ. There are many other passages that delve into the responsibilities for men and women regarding the family (home) and the church (ministry).
While a Christian marriage is to involve mutual love and submission between the two believers (Ephesians 5:21) there are passages in the New Testament that are specifically given to wives involving their responsibility to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22 ; Colossians 3:18 ; Titus 2:5 ; 1 Peter 3:1). This voluntary submission of one equal to another is a true expression of love for God and a desire to follow His design as seen in His Word. It is never shown as demeaning or in any way diminishing the wife's equality. In Ephesians 5:25, the husband is called to love his wife sacrificially as Christ loved the church, as well as to serve as the leader in the relationship of the two equals. (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:4-5) It is clearly seen that the responsibility has been given to husbands and fathers the primary leadership over the children. Wives and mothers are to be "workers of the home" (Titus 2:5), another words, managers of the household. Their home and their children are to be their priority, in contrast to the worlds emphasis today on careers and full time jobs for women outside the home.

From the very beginning women have fulfilled a vital role in the Christian church - Acts 1:12-14, 9:36-42, 16:13-15, 17:1-4,10-12 ; 18:1-2, 18, 24-28; Romans 16; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 1:5; 4:19 - however the role was not one of leadership. The Apostles, all men.  The chief missionary activity was all done by men. The writing of the NT, all done by men. And lastly, leadership of the churches was entrusted to men. Even Paul respected women and worked side by side with them for the furthering of the gospel (Romans 16; Philippians 4:3) there was never any appointing of female pastors or elders. In Paul's letters, he would urge that men be the leaders in the church and that women were not to teach or exercise authority over the men (1 Timothy 2:12). Therefore it is clearly seen that yes, women are spiritual equals with men and the ministry of women is important to the body of Christ, however, women are excluded from leadership over the men in the church.

In conclusion, men and women stand as equals before God, both equally bearing the image of God Himself. However, without making one inferior to the other, God calls upon both men and women to fulfill the roles and responsibilities specifically designed for them, a pattern the can be seen even in the Godhead (1 Corinthians 11:3). In fulfilling the God-given roles defined and taught in the NT, women are then able to realize their full potential because they are following the plan of their own Creator and Designer.

Only in obedience to Him and His design will women truly be able, in the fullest sense, to give glory to God.