Women in Ministry

Understand that this subject should be approached with Wisdom from the Lord. My view on this changed within the past year because of this study. I would refrain from reading and only come back when the Lord prompt you to explore this further.

Three Places Mentioned

3 places that mentioned

1 Corinthians 14 (wrote for Corinthians)
1 Timothy 2 (for Ephesus)
Titus 1 (for Crete)

Usually when there is correction in a letter, the writer is using wisdom and spiritual guidance to correct current events. You should try to understand the ways of God first.

So what event was he correcting?

Corinth

This was about disorder.

In Corinth, people were worshipping Aphrodite. Aphrodite’s cult was tied to sexual freedom and indulgence. The environment encouraged women to use sexuality as power, leading to abuse of roles. “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” reaffirm that sexuality as under Christ’s authority, not a goddess’s. (To worship the goddess, you would go to her temple and have sex with the priests). So you can see how Aphrodite had so much influence.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20

19

What? G2228 know ye G1492 not G3756 that G3754 your G5216 body G4983 is G2076 the temple G3485 the G3588 of G40 Holy G40 Ghost G4151 in G1722 you, G5213 which G3739 ye have G2192 of G575 God, G2316 and G2532 ye are G2075 not G3756 your own? G1438

20

For G1063 ye are bought G59 with a price: G5092 therefore G1211 glorify G1392 God G2316 in G1722 your G5216 body, G4983 and G2532 in G1722 your G5216 spirit, G4151 which G3748 are G2076 God's. G2316

At that time, women were also disruptive during worship (some people say for lack of education; Imo their questions were more so because they are taught by the Aphrodite worshipper). So Paul decree for them to ask their husband.

1 Corinthians 14:33–35

33

For G1063 God G2316 is G2076 not G3756 of confusion, G181 but G235 of peace, G1515 as G5613 in G1722 all G3956 churches of G1577 the G3588 saints. G40

35

And G1161 if G1487 they will G2309 learn G3129 any thing, G5100 let them ask G1905 their G2398 husbands G435 at G1722 home: G3624 for G1063 it is G2076 a shame G149 for women G1135 to speak G2980 in G1722 the church. G1577

Praying with uncovered head at the time was a way to show disobedient to the culture at the time.

1 Corinthians 11:5

5

But G1161 every G3956 woman G1135 that prayeth G4336 or G2228 prophesieth G4395 with G2776 head G2776 uncovered G177 dishonoureth G2617 her G1438 head: G2776 for G1063 that is G2076 even G2532 all one G1520 as if G846 she G3588 were shaven. G3587

Ephesus

This was about domination theology.

In Ephesus (Timothy), the Goddess at hand was Artemis (or Diana). She’s a Goddess with many bosoms. Artemis was associated with fertility, protection in childbirth, and female power.

In Acts 19:23–41, silversmiths rioted over Paul’s preaching because it threatened Artemis worship in Ephesus.

Acts 19:23–41

23

And G1161 the same G1565 time there G2540 arose G1096 no G3756 small G3641 stir G5017 about G4012 that G3588 way. G3598

41

And G2532 thus G5023 when he had G2036 spoken, G2036 he dismissed G630 the G3588 assembly. G1577

Because of the domination over men teachings, in Timothy Paul wrote “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.”

1 Timothy 2:11–12

11

the woman G1135 Let G3129 learn G3129 in G1722 silence G2271 with G1722 all G3956 subjection. G5292

12

But G1161 I suffer G2010 not G3756 a woman G1135 to teach, G1321 nor G3761 to usurp authority over G831 the man, G435 but G235 to be G1511 in G1722 silence. G2271

Crete

This was about restoring order.

In Crete, for Titus, He was sent to appoint elders / overseers. Crete was steeped in Greek mythology, especially the worship of Zeus, who was born there. (Zeus is Baal rebranded for the Greek).

Paul quoted their prophet saying “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

Titus 1:12

12

One G5100 of G1537 themselves, G846 a prophet G4396 of their G846 own, G2398 said, G2036 The Cretians G2912 alway G104 liars, G5583 evil G2556 beasts, G2342 slow G692 bellies. G1064

While I’m not entirely sure about the connection, Rhea was worshipped as Zeus mother. There were female led worship and probably other doctrine that leads to much disorder.

That’s likely why Paul in Titus 2 instructed the older women to teach younger women “to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

Titus 2:3–5

3

The aged women G4247 likewise, G5615 in G1722 that G3361 behaviour G2688 as becometh holiness, G2412 not G3361 false accusers, G1228 not G3361 given G1402 to much G4183 wine, G3631 teachers of good things; G2567

5

discreet, G4998 chaste, G53 keepers at home, G3626 good, G18 obedient G5293 to their own G2398 husbands, G435 that G2443 the G3588 word G3056 of G2316 God G2316 not G3361 be G987 blasphemed. G987

Does this mean where shall be no Women in the 5-fold?

NO. Here are the examples.

Apostles

Junia was an apostle.

Romans 16:7

7

Salute G782 Andronicus G408 and G2532 Junia, G2458 my G3450 kinsmen, G4773 and G2532 my G3450 fellowprisoners, G4869 who G3748 are G1526 of note G1978 among G1722 the G3588 apostles, G652 who G3739 also G2532 were G1096 in G1722 Christ G5547 before G4253 me. G1700

Prophets

“Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head”
Women were already praying and prophesying.

1 Corinthians 11:5

5

He [Philip the evangelist] had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.

Acts 21:9

9

And G1161 the same man G5129 had G2258 four G5064 daughters, G2364 virgins, G3933 which did prophesy. G4395

Also are plenty of named prophetess in the OT.

Judges 4:4 - Deborah

4

And Deborah, H1683 a prophetess, H5031 the wife H802 of Lapidoth, H3941 she H1931 judged H8199 Israel H3478 at that H1931 time. H6256

2 Kings 22:14–15 - Hilkiah

14

So Hilkiah H2518 the priest, H3548 and Ahikam, H296 and Achbor, H5907 and Shaphan, H8227 and Asahiah, H6222 went H1980 unto H413 Huldah H2468 the prophetess, H5031 the wife H802 of Shallum H7967 the son H1121 of Tikvah, H8616 the son H1121 of Harhas, H2745 keeper H8104 of the wardrobe; H899 (now she H1931 dwelt H3427 in Jerusalem H3389 in the college;) H4932 and they communed H1696 with H413 her. H413

15

And she said H559 unto H413 them, Thus H3541 saith H559 the Lord H3068 God H430 of Israel, H3478 Tell H559 the man H376 that H834 sent H7971 you to H413 me, H413

Luke 2:36–38 - Anna

36

And G2532 there was G2258 one Anna, G451 a prophetess, G4398 the daughter G2364 of Phanuel, G5323 of G1537 the tribe G5443 of Aser: G768 she G846 was G4260 of a age, G4183 great G4183 and had lived G2198 with G3326 an husband G435 seven G2033 years G2094 from G575 her G846 virginity; G3932

38

And G2532 she G3778 coming G2186 in gave likewise G437 that G846 instant G5610 thanks G437 the G3588 unto G2962 Lord, G2962 and G2532 spake G2980 of G4012 him G846 to all G3956 them that G3588 looked for G4327 redemption G3085 in G1722 Jerusalem. G2419

Evangelist

Duh..

The Samaritans at the well spreads the Gospel. It’s the duties of all believers.

John 4:28–29

28

The G3588 woman G1135 then G3767 left G863 her G846 waterpot, G5201 and G2532 went her way G565 into G1519 the G3588 city, G4172 and G2532 saith G3004 the G3588 to G444 men, G444

29

Come, G1205 see G1492 a man, G444 which G3739 told G2036 me G3427 all things G3956 that ever G3745 I did: G4160 is G2076 not G3385 this G3778 the G3588 Christ? G5547

The function is there. But only ONE evangelist was mentioned by Office, that was Phillip.

Acts 21:8

8

And G1161 the G3588 next G1887 we that G3588 were of company G4012 Paul's G3972 departed, G1831 and came G2064 unto G1519 Caesarea: G2542 and G2532 we entered G1525 into G1519 the G3588 house G3624 of Philip G5376 the G3588 evangelist, G2099 which G3588 was G5607 of G1537 the G3588 seven; G2033 and abode G3306 with G3844 him. G846

Pastors (I prefer Shepherds)

No one was named as Shepherds in the scripture. There are people with that function though.

For a time, Peter have performed the function to “feed my sheep”. So he was shepherding. 1 Peter 5 commanded the elders to “shepherd the flock of God”.

John 21:15–17

15

So G3767 when G3753 they had dined, G709 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 to G4613 Simon G4613 Peter, G4074 Simon, G4613 of Jonas, G2495 lovest thou G25 me G3165 more than G4119 these? G5130 He G3004 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Yea, G3483 Lord; G2962 thou G4771 knowest G1492 that G3754 I love G5368 thee. G4571 He saith G3004 unto him, G846 Feed G1006 my G3450 lambs. G721

17

He saith G3004 unto him G846 the G3588 third time, G5154 Simon, G4613 of Jonas, G2495 lovest thou G5368 me? G3165 Peter G4074 was grieved G3076 because G3754 he said G2036 unto him G846 the G3588 third time, G5154 Lovest thou G5368 me? G3165 And G2532 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 thou G4771 knowest G1492 all things; G3956 thou G4771 knowest G1097 that G3754 I love G5368 thee. G4571 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Feed G1006 my G3450 sheep. G4263

1 Peter 5:2

2

Feed G4165 the G3588 flock G4168 of G2316 God G2316 which is among G1722 you, G5213 taking the oversight G1983 not G3361 by constraint, G317 but G235 willingly; G1596 not G3366 for filthy lucre, G147 but G235 of a ready mind; G4290

Are there named female elders? No.

Are there clear instruction to place women as elders of churches?
No.

Have women performed functions related to elders’ functions?
Maybe.

Nympha in Colossians 4 have a church met in her house.

Colossians 4:15

15

Salute G782 the G3588 brethren G80 which are in G1722 Laodicea, G2993 and G2532 Nymphas, G3564 and G2532 the G3588 church G1577 which is in G2596 his G846 house. G3624

Chloe’s in 1 Corinthians 1 opens her house to church meetings.

1 Corinthians 1:11

11

For G1063 it hath been declared G1213 unto me G3427 of G4012 you, G5216 my G3450 brethren, G80 by G5259 them G3588 of Chloe, G5514 that G3754 there are G1526 contentions G2054 among G1722 you. G5213

Priscilla and Aquila hosted a church in Romans 16.

Romans 16:3–5

3

Greet G782 Priscilla G4252 and G2532 Aquila G207 my G3450 helpers G4904 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus: G2424

5

Likewise G2532 the G3588 church G1577 that is in G2596 their G846 house. G3624 Salute G782 my G3450 wellbeloved G27 Epaenetus, G1866 who G3739 is G2076 the firstfruits G536 of G882 Achaia G882 unto G1519 Christ. G5547

Paul clearly honor their name and the church in their house. Likely shepherding and overseeing (elders function)

Teachers (Jesus ofc)

Paul described himself as a teacher.

1 Timothy 2:7

7

Whereunto G3739 I G1473 am ordained G5087 a preacher, G2783 and G2532 an apostle, G652 (I speak G3004 the truth G225 in G1722 Christ, G5547 lie G5574 not;) G3756 a teacher G1320 of the Gentiles G1484 in G1722 faith G4102 and G2532 verity. G225

Barnabas used to teach with Paul.

Acts 11:26

26

And G2532 when he had found G2147 him, G846 he brought G71 him G846 unto G1519 Antioch. G490 And G1161 it came to pass, that G1096 a whole G3650 year G1763 they G846 assembled themselves G4863 with G1722 the G3588 church, G1577 and G2532 taught G1321 much G2425 people. G3793 And G5037 the G3588 disciples G3101 were called G5537 Christians G5546 first G4412 in G1722 Antioch. G490

Apollos was taught by Aquila dn Priscilla.

Acts 18:26

26

And G5037 he G3778 began G756 to speak boldly G3955 in G1722 the G3588 synagogue: G4864 whom G846 when had G191 Aquila G207 and G2532 Priscilla G4252 heard, G191 they took unto G4355 him G846 and G2532 expounded G1620 unto him G846 the G3588 way G3598 of G2316 God G2316 more perfectly. G199

—> so even Apollos was taught.

Older women taught younger women as well.

There is an argument that women should not teach men but many prophetess have done that before Deborah, Huldah and Anna.

Anna in Luke 2:38 “At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Luke 2:38

38

Functions vs Offices

The function is there.
But the office is not always named.

Elders are required to teach.
Teaching is pervasive but rarely titled.

Women clearly perform the functions.

So can Women be elders?

Idk.

They seems to perform the functions.
But Paul did not mentioned them in Titus.

Can they be deacons?

Yes, clearly mentioned in 1 Timothy.

Phoebe is a deacons mentioned in Romans 16.

1 Timothy 3:8–11

8

Likewise G5615 the deacons G1249 grave, G4586 not G3361 doubletongued, G1351 not G3361 given to G4337 much G4183 wine, G3631 not G3361 greedy of filthy lucre; G146

11

Even so G5615 wives G1135 grave, G4586 not G3361 slanderers, G1228 sober, G3524 faithful G4103 in G1722 all things. G3956

Romans 16:1

1

I commend G4921 unto you G5213 Phebe G5402 our G2257 sister, G79 which is G5607 a servant G1249 the G3588 of G1577 church G1577 which is G3588 at G1722 Cenchrea: G2747

Who can the Call?

The call shall come but do you meet the requirement?
Many be you meet the requirement but are you of Good Courage?

Many are called but few are chosen.

God used Deborah to deliver the enemy into the hand of Barak. But he refused to go up unless Deborah went with him. Thus, God gave Sisera into the hand of a woman named Jael.

Judges 4:6–9

6

And she sent H7971 and called H7121 Barak H1301 the son H1121 of Abinoam H42 out of Kedesh-naphtali, H6943 and said H559 unto H413 him, Hath not H3808 the Lord H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 commanded, H6680 Go H1980 and draw H4900 toward mount H2022 Tabor, H8396 and take H3947 with H5973 thee ten H6235 thousand H505 men H376 of the children H1121 of Naphtali H5321 and of the children H1121 of Zebulun? H2074

9

And she said, H559 I will surely H1980 go H1980 with H5973 thee: notwithstanding H657 the journey H1870 that H834 thou H859 takest H1980 shall not H3808 be H1961 for thine honour; H8597 for H3588 the Lord H3068 shall sell H4376 Sisera H5516 into the hand H3027 of a woman. H802 And Deborah H1683 arose, H6965 and went H1980 with H5973 Barak H1301 to Kedesh. H6943

Judges 4:21

21

Then Jael H3278 Heber's H2268 wife H802 took H3947 a nail H3489 of the tent, H168 and took H7760 an hammer H4718 in her hand, H3027 and went H935 softly H3814 unto H413 him, and smote H8628 the nail H3489 into his temples, H7541 and fastened H6795 it into the ground: H776 for he H1931 was fast asleep H7290 and weary. H5774 So he died. H4191

That's the way of God.

Summary

Role	Women Mentioned	Supporting Verses
Apostle	Junia	Romans 16:7
Prophet	Deborah, Huldah, Anna, Miriam, Philip’s daughters	Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14–15; Luke 2:36–38; Acts 21:9; 1 Cor 11:5
Evangelist	Samaritan woman	John 4:28–29; Matthew 28:19
Pastor/Shepherd (function)	Nympha, Priscilla, Chloe	Col 4:15; 1 Cor 1:11; Rom 16:3–5; 1 Pet 5:2
Teacher	Priscilla, Older women	Acts 18:26; Titus 2:3
Elder	(Implied function only)	Titus 1:5; 1 Tim 3:2
Deacon	Phoebe	Romans 16:1; 1 Tim 3:8–11

What's the Wisdom?

Women in both Old and New Testaments clearly exercised spiritual authority, teaching, and prophetic roles.
Paul’s restrictions addressed local cultural distortions, not universal exclusion from leadership or spiritual offices.
When men failed to come into the calling God has for them, Women are then called forth. But God is not one to revoke a gift or a calling (Romans). Thus, the gifts and calling remain on them as they stepped up into that calling.