5 Ways the Bible Supports Women Preaching
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Frequently, women are informed that the Bible prohibits them from serving as pastors, preachers, and leaders within the church whenever their roles involve having authority over men.
Numerous justifications have been provided to support this notion. However, every single one of them depends on distorting scripture, extracting it from its intended context (such as 1 Tim. 2:12), and upholding conventional, male-dominated perspectives on the roles of men and women within the apostate church.
Let’s begin by understanding the basics: When you extract 20 words from the Bible without relating them to the surrounding passage, you are removing them from their context. To effectively engage in Bible exegesis, which involves the critical study and interpretation of a text, it is essential to consider the surrounding passages. For instance, by isolating 1 Timothy 2:12, we risk taking the Bible out of context and potentially misunderstanding its true meaning.
Just so you know, the KJV and the NKJV are widely recognized for being patriarchal and resonating with the cultural context in which they were translated, rather than reflecting the earlier Hebrew texts. Comparing multiple translations and striving to stay as faithful to the original texts as we can is a prudent approach. Upon closer examination of the original language, context, and given examples, it becomes strikingly apparent that HaShem/God wholeheartedly endorses and actively summons women to assume preaching and leadership positions.
Let’s examine some scriptures and disprove the harmful, male-dominated teachings that may have been instilled in you by the apostate church. The Bible offers five compelling ways in which it encourages women to engage in preaching:
- It is probable that Paul’s message in 1 Timothy 2 was directed at certain disruptive women in Timothy’s congregation, rather than being applicable to all women in the church for all time:
- In 1 Timothy, Paul asserts that he does not allow a woman who is in the process of learning to “usurp authority” over a man, which is quite different from saying she can’t teach or have any authority over men. Usurping authority means seizing or taking what rightfully belongs to someone. It’s akin to overthrowing a rightful government in order to gain more power. It’s not right for men or women to do that. Many scholars firmly believe that this statement applies specifically to a particular situation within the early Messianic Assembly. In this context, it refers to a group of women who lacked education and were not only causing disturbances, but also attempting to take over leadership roles.
- If we believe that the Bible consistently offers universal statements, we must maintain this consistency and apply the same logic to the entire passage. In 1 Timothy, it is mentioned that women should avoid braiding their hair or wearing expensive jewelry like gold, pearls, or other lavish accessories, especially when attending services. Additionally, it is suggested that women should maintain a respectful silence during worship services. So, we should not permit attire considered “Sunday best,” particularly if it includes jewelry. Additionally, female greeters, worship leaders, and choir members are not allowed, and women are not permitted to read scripture or make announcements. Seriously?
- Once again, we must establish a consistent approach: either excluding women from all church roles and ensuring they dress modestly, or recognizing that the instructions were likely directed towards a select few women who were deliberately causing disturbances. Paul’s advice should not be interpreted as a reason for millions of well-qualified women in the world not to preach!
- The Bible explicitly gives instructions on preaching and using other gifts to lead in the Assembly to both men and women:
- Paul, in 1 Corinthians, encourages the members of the community to actively engage with one another by sharing wisdom, revelations, and prophetic words. When Paul and other writers of the New Testament provide guidance to Believers regarding the act of preaching and assuming leadership roles within the Assembly, they employ phrases such as “all of you” or “every one of you“. It is of utmost importance to note that these inclusive expressions unequivocally encompass women as well.
- Some examples are:
- 1 Corinthians 14:5, 14:23-26, 14:31
- 1 Peter 4:10-11
- Ephesians 5:18-20
- There are numerous other examples that aren’t listed here, but you can refer to this resource for more information. Ultimately, it’s important to understand that HaShem/God does not differentiate between what women are permitted to do in the Assembly, and what men are permitted to do in the Assembly.
- Translations of the Bible often lack the depth and clarity found in the original text:
- Many people often argue that “God’s Word never changes,” suggesting that it is wrong to reinterpret scripture based on new understanding, especially if it contradicts traditional teachings. The statement “God’s Word never changes” presents some significant issues. What individuals are truly implying is “Man’s translation of God’s Word never changes,” an assertion that is factually inaccurate.
- Throughout history, influential men, mainly of European descent, have frequently manipulated the translation of HaShem’s Word to conform to their own personal agenda and cultural convictions:
- As we grew up, few of us had access to original manuscripts to study the Scriptures, and even fewer people are truly fluent in the original languages and the cultural context in which these letters were written. The apostate church has played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding for centuries. We depend on a small group of so-called “experts” to translate the texts and impart as much knowledge as they can.
- There are numerous Biblical scholars who possess deep knowledge of those sources and affirm that the prohibition of women in the church is a human imposition, rather than a divine decree. I would highly recommend delving into those sources to uncover what the earliest versions of the Bible state in relation to women in leadership positions within the ministry.
- The Old and New Testaments provide us with numerous compelling examples of female leadership, both men and women, that HaShem has graciously bestowed upon us.
- Deborah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, showcased exceptional leadership as the judge of Israel during a time when the monarchy had not yet been established. Renowned for her wisdom, spiritual discernment, and triumphant military exploits, she left an indelible mark on history. An important point to note is that there is absolutely no indication in scripture that her role was taken on due to a lack of qualified men willing or able to lead. She was uniquely called by HaShem, just like the other judges.
- Anna, a dedicated prophet, spent her life in fervent prayer, worship, and teaching at the Temple. Notably, she was among the first to encounter Yeshua/Jesus as a baby, promptly recognizing and proclaiming His Divine Nature (Luke 2:25-38).
- Huldah, an Old Testament prophet, was a revered authority in interpreting and comprehending scripture. Her wisdom was highly valued, as evidenced by the fact that the King of Israel sought her out to instruct his men on the divine prophecies (2 Kings 22:11-20).
- Priscilla played a vital role in the Assembly in Ephesus, co-leading with her husband in teaching and evangelism (Acts 18:24-26).
- Paul commended Phoebe for her significant leadership role as a deacon at the Assembly near Rome, encouraging the rest of the Believers to support her and follow her guidance in ministry (Rom. 16:1-2).
- Mary Magdalene, a devoted Disciple of Yeshua, faithfully accompanied Him during His ministry and had the extraordinary privilege of being the first witness to His glorious resurrection. She was also the first to receive the call to “preach” the good news of his resurrection, and her initial task was to preach to men – the Disciples (John 20:16-18).
- Women were the first preachers of the Gospel:
- Mary, the mother of Yeshua, and her cousin Elizabeth were the first to receive the divine knowledge of His imminent arrival and were chosen to herald this great news: Women. In the initial period of Yeshua’s earthly ministry, a particular person who spread His message with great fervor was the woman He encountered by the well in Samaria. When Yeshua rose from the dead, He entrusted the task of spreading the news of His resurrection to women. Mary Magdalene, in particular, received a direct command from Yeshua Himself to proclaim the good news to His male disciples. Did you catch that? The commission came straight from Yeshua!
If we claim that HaShem does not permit women to be preachers, we are essentially suggesting that Yeshua’s initial preachers were flawed, or that the act of appointing them was inherently sinful.
It’s important to understand that Yeshua didn’t just happen to appear to women when the men weren’t around. He actually appeared to His followers multiple times before ascending into Heaven. He could have directly instructed the men to spread the Good News, but instead He deliberately chose women for the task.
Consistency in applying the teachings of the Bible is essential. If we abide by the principle that only what is explicitly mentioned in the scripture is permissible, it is crucial to uphold this standard in all circumstances. Please provide a specific scripture from the Bible that affirms the permissibility for women to drive, use technology, travel, manage finances, pursue education, and engage in professional careers. Do you believe that these things are contrary to HaShem’s will, because they are not referenced in the Bible? If you allow these activities while prohibiting women from preaching, you do not have a problem with the Scriptures. You have a patriarchal, colonial, man-made theology problem.
The Bible unequivocally upholds the notion of empowering women to preach and assume leadership roles within the Assembly.
It is undeniable that HaShem calls women to preach and lead in the Assembly, as clearly stated in scripture. Any assertion suggesting that women are not a valued part of leadership should serve as a reminder that HaShem does not align with patriarchy. The Assembly should not remain inactive, and if you feel called to ministry, seize the opportunity.
You don’t need anyone’s approval or permission to strive for what HaShem has prepared for you in your life.
