God, evil and moralityDraft · awaiting advisor review
Does the Bible silence women?
In short
Two passages tell women to be silent or not to teach, and Christians read them differently. At the same time women were the first witnesses of the resurrection, prophesied in church, led churches in their homes and worked alongside Paul. Faithful Christians disagree on what roles in church leadership are open to women today.
The Objection
Paul says women should keep silent in the churches and that he does not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man. The Bible treats women as inferior, and churches still use these verses to keep women out of leadership.
Put as its strongest advocates would put it.
The Christian Case
- Scripture
Jesus taught women as disciples, and women were the first sent to announce his resurrection.
- Scripture
Women prayed and prophesied in church; Paul commends Phoebe, a deacon, Priscilla, who taught Apollos, and Junia, “outstanding among the apostles”.
- Scripture
The Bible says men and women are equally made in God’s image and equally one in Christ.
- Christians differ
Christians differ on 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14. Complementarians hold that some leadership in church is given to qualified men, while affirming women’s equal worth and many ministries. Egalitarians read the restrictions as addressing particular situations and hold that all roles are open to women.
Where the Evidence Is Weaker
The passages are short and their background is partly unknown, so both main views have to fill gaps. This is a question on which faithful Christians disagree.
Arguments to Avoid
- Treating Christians on the other side of this debate as unfaithful.
- Using these verses to belittle women.
Read for Yourself
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 16:1–7
1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
1 Timothy 2:11–15
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Further Reading
- Two Views on Women in Ministry (revised edition) · James R. Beck (editor) (2005)Both views, each answered by the other.
- Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood · John Piper and Wayne Grudem (editors) (1991)
- Discovering Biblical Equality · Ronald W. Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis (editors) (2004)
Drafted with Opened AI and awaiting review by Opened’s apologetics advisors. Labels show the kind of support each point has: Scripture is what the Bible says; historical evidence and philosophical arguments can be checked by anyone; “Christians differ” marks questions on which faithful Christians disagree.
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