The Woman And The Church

Temple Baptist Church - 7-7-2019

Romans 16:1-2

Introduction: 

A.  The Office of the Bishop or pastor and the Office of a Deacon are always to be male in gender.  There is no such thing as a pastor or deacon in a church being a woman!  The qualifications along with the disqualifications are found in 1 Timothy, chapters 2-3, and in the Book of Titus.  These are 2 of the 3 Pastoral Epistles: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus.

1.  The Key Verse of 1 Timothy is 3:15:  “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

2.  The Disqualifications of the Woman:  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.

3.  The Qualifications of the Man:  1 Timothy 3:1-13  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  (3)  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  (4)  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  (5)  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall hetake care of the church of God?)  (6)  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.  (7)  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  (8)  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;  (9)  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  (10)  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.  (11)  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.  (12)  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  (13)  For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

B.  Though the Bible is perfectly clear on the qualification of the Bishop (Pastor) and Deacons, it has become an area of contention in these last days of the unisex and equal rights movements. 

C.  God has made a definite distinction between male and female physically, emotionally, and in various positions such as the home and the church. 

D.  We live in Laodicean times and the very word itself carries the meaning of “The Rights Of The People.”  What are our rights?  Our rights are as believers are found in the liberties and limitations placed upon us by the Lord. 

E.  Verses 1-2 mention a godly lady in the local church who “succoured” many including the Apostle Paul.  Along with the liberties to serve that the Lord has given to women, He has also placed certain limitations upon them.  Tonight, I want to look at the misconceptions, limitations, and blessings of women in the local church.

F.  The liberal Bible scholars have caused a lot of confusion in verse 1 because of the Greek word “διάκονος, pronounced diakonos,”

G.  In all cases, the words “deacon-diakoneō” are interpreted 3 ways: “servant” in our text, “deacon” and “deacons” in other places.

H.    What do the words “diakonos” or “diakoneo” mean?  The words mean “to be an attendant,” “to run errands,” or to “wait upon a table.”  Thus, a “diakonos-diakoneo” is a servant!  When translated in Romans 16:1 and speaking of Phebe, it is rendered “servant.” 

I.  When the Bible refers to the Office of a Deacon or the deacons of the local church, it is rendered deacon or deacons. The Scofield Bible also aids in the confusion by placing, in the center margin “Lit. deaconess.” 

Philippians 1:1  Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons(diakonos):

1 Timothy 3:8  Likewise must the deacons (diakonos) be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

1 Timothy 3:12  Let the deacons (diakonos) be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1 Timothy 3:10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon (diakoneō), being found blameless.

1 Timothy 3:13  For they that have used the office of a deacon(diakoneō),  well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1.  Paul’s commendation of Phebe.  “I commend unto you.”  First, I want to commend the ladies of our church.  What a great bunch of ladies we have.  I can honestly say, though most churches cannot, that none of our ladies have given me a problem.  I could recommend any one of you to another church, but I WON’T!  I am completely satisfied to keep you all right here.

2.  Paul’s recognition of Phebe’s Christian character.  “our sister.”  Common misconceptions concerning women in the local church.

a.  That God thinks more of the man than He does the woman.  God loves women as much as He does men. In Jesus Christ, women enjoy the same spiritual position and blessings before God as men do.

b.  That the woman is in a place of inferiority in the church.  Women are as important to the home, church, and society as men are.

c.  That the roles of men and women are equal and, therefore, should be the same.  There is to be a difference between men and women in both their appearance and roles. There is a basic truth which needs to be restated in the church and society today: Men and women are different!

d.  Sisters are greatly loved, appreciated, and all so important to a family.  I have one sister and she is so special to all her older brothers.  Though all our roles may be different, our love for you ladies is great!

3.  Paul’s knowledge of Phebe’s labor of love in the church.  “a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea.”  Phebe was a true servant.  Her name means “to shine or make manifest as light or fire.”  I enjoy watching the ladies work, not just in the kitchen, but in other things also.  They put a lot of tender, loving care and detail to what they do.  They often work in the background but do not go unnoticed.  Ladies with a servant’s heart are rare commodities in these last days.

4.  Paul’s great appreciation and gentle treatment of Phebe.  “receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints.”  Ladies are to be treated with and handled with great respect and gentleness.  Receive them in the Lord, as becometh saints.  A jewel of great price is the woman that has a servant’s heart.

5.  Paul’s assistance to Phebe.  “assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you.”  Make sure that the ladies have all the male help that is needed.  She does have some physical limitations and needs to be watched over for any sign of need.  Paul admonishes the churches to assist her in any way that they can.

6.  Paul’s help given to him by Phebe.  “for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”  “Succourer” is one who stands before another and makes themselves available.  They do not always have to be enlisted, though they are ready to be, but they make themselves available to be used for God’s glory.

Conclusion:  It is of great importance to see that Paul, when he ended the Book of Romans, commends a lady in the church before commending anyone else.