The Role of Men and Women in the Church

Temple Baptist Church - 8-19-2012

 

1 Timothy 2:7-15

 

Introduction:

A. Tonight, I will begin dealing with an unfortunately controversial subject found in the churches of our day. We will examine what the Bible says on the subject, not what man thinks and the truth will be evident.

B. 1 Timothy is the first of the Pastoral Epistles which were written to establish biblical behavior and define different roles in the local church. It is written by the Apostle Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. A major part of 2 chapters are given to this potential problem concerning the roles of men and women as well as church authority.

C. In verse 7, Paul states his biblical authority:

1. His appointment– ordained

2. His position – preacher

3. His authority – apostle

4. His trustworthiness – speak truth…lie not

5. His spiritual ability – teacher … in faith and verity

D. Tonight, I will look at the roles of men and women in the church. By interpretation, Paul wrote this epistle to stave off problems but we use it to correct problems by application. The Women’s Liberation Movement of the past half century has brought women to the forefront in a very unbiblical manner.

 

Roles have reversed, especially over the past60 years or so. The women now rule in the homes, run the churches, sit in authority in our government, and fight in the military. Not one of these afore mentioned roles are what God intended for woman to be. Many women and all “hen pecked” men will get angry at this message but all I can say is, “Take the Bible and prove me wrong!”

1. The role of men and women in the home: I often refer to the First Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation when seeking God’s intentions concerning any subject. First Mention of Bible roles of men and women set the standard for their biblical roles throughout the Bible.

a) Before the Fall - Genesis 2:18, 21-22 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. … And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

1) She was to be his Companion – he was alone.

2) She was to be his helper – he was in need.

b) After the Fall - Genesis 3:16-19 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. (17) And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; (18) Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; (19) In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

1) She was to Bear Children

2) She was to Care for her Husband

3) She was to be in Submission to her Husband

c) In the New Testament - 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Ephesians 5:23-24 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Why would God say “every thing” and then change His mind concerning the local church? If the man is the head of the woman and her place is a place of submission in the home, then why would the two roles reverse in the local church? The woman was made for the man; she was subordinate to the man; she was a companion for the man; and she was a helper to the man. )

2. The role of men and women in government:

a) God set men over government - Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

b) God set no women over government – There are no verses in the Bible that either advocate or condone women in authority in the government.

3. The role of men and women in the military:

a) Men went to war - Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

b) Women did not go to war – There are no verses in the Bible where God sent women to the battle front.

E. Now, let us look at our passage in 1 Timothy 2.

1. The Role of the Man in the Church. 1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

a. Men are to pray everywhere. This praying is included within the church’s worship. I call upon men to pray publicly in the church service, not the women. Some use the “in like manner also” in verse 9 to include the women in leading in prayer but that would violate the principles that follow verse 9. In verse 8, Paul is establishing the leadership of men in worship within the church. Therefore, we find the authority of men re-established. As he is to lead the home, he is to lead the church.

b. Men are to pray in submission within the church. “lifting up holy hands” Men are to be submissive to their head which is Jesus Christ. We often see the signs, “Real men pray!” In order to lead properly, men must follow properly. Paul said to follow him as he followed Christ. Spiritual men who lead the church should be submissive to the Lord.

c. Men are to pray in holiness. “holy hands” Our men in the church should have confessed and forsaken their sins before ever entering into the church house to worship. As men lead in prayer, they are to lead in holiness.

d. Men are to pray in a right manner. “without wrath” As the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God, men of wrath will not seek the ways of God. Not praying in anger or with vengeance in mind, but praying in the will of God. Seeking the Lord, not personal gratification or gain.

e. Men are to pray in faith. “doubting” As the double minded man is unstable in all his way, the doubting man will have his prayers hindered through his lack of faith. Men are to pray expecting!

As in the family structure, the role of the man in the church is that of leadership! The man rules and directs the church.

2. The Role of the Woman in the Church. 1 Timothy 2:9-15 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. (11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. (15) Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

a. She is to be modestly adorned. “modest apparel” A woman is to dress is such a way as not to draw attention to her physical assets. “Modest apparel” means to be orderly or well arranged. Her clothing is not to be physically conforming nor is it to be physically revealing. This is a far cry to the attire of the modern woman as she enters church.

b. She is to subdued. “shamefacedness and sobriety” “Shamefacedness” means “down cast eyes” or “bashfulness.” “Sobriety” means “soundness of mind” or “controlled.” The godly woman is neither bold nor out of control. I guess a good way to say this in our day would be that a godly woman is neither controlling nor is she out of control. She is not to be loud or braggadocios.

c. She is not to bring attention to self. “not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” Her controlling purpose of coming to church is to glorify God, not self. Her attitude and outward demeanor is to be such as to bring attention to God, not self.

d. She is to learn in silence. “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.” She is to listen attentively to instruction while remaining in subjection to those who are in authority. She can ask questions in private but is to learn in silence during public instruction.

e. She is not to teach, preach, or to usurp authority over a man within the church! “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” Now the question may be asked by some, “Does this mean that a woman cannot preach, teach men, or lead in worship when men are present?” The answer is “yes” to all three. A woman is not to preach! Read the last few verses of the chapter to explain why. A woman heart creature and allows her heart to overrule her thinking. The qualifications of the preacher are found in chapter 3 and they do not pertain to women. Many cults have been started by women. She cannot teach or instruct men in the church. She cannot “usurp authority” over men in worship. A woman is not to lead the choir! Choir music and specials are a vital part of worship and the choir leader is just that: IN authority over part of the worship service.

As in the family structure, the woman’s role in the church is that of submissiveness to authority.

Can a woman be place in authority over men in a church in any aspect? The answer is no!