Women in Ministry

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NASB1995)

I believe this is one of the most difficult passages of Scripture to interpret in the Bible (including verses 11-15), or else it is one of the most controversial, and is thus often avoided. First of all, I believe the instruction here on how women are to dress is cultural, to some extent, yet we can learn from what is taught here in principle. 

We are to dress ourselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly. We should not purposefully draw anyone’s attention to parts of our bodies, which are sensual in nature, by revealing too much, or by wearing extremely tight-fitting clothing, which then just accentuates our female forms, and which might tempt men to lust after us. Instead, we should adorn ourselves with godliness, holiness, goodness, kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, love, mercy, joy, and faithfulness, etc.

"A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.” (1 Timothy 2:11-15 NASB1995)

Women, of which I am one, should follow the instructions in Scripture on the subject of authority and submission. God is over man (and woman), and man is over woman. Women should not be in positions of authority over men, nor should they be in positions as teachers (instructors) over men within the church as regards authoritative instruction, such as we have received from Jesus and from the apostles. But there may be exceptions to this rule if there is a shortage of biblically qualified men to do the job.

We should receive instruction quietly and with entire submissiveness. But we are not to submit to false teachings or to abuse. We do not have to subject ourselves to abuse or to lies and deceptions. We do not have to join in with the crowd and unite ourselves with what is against God and is against the teachings of the Scriptures. If we are partnered with the ungodly and with the world via the church’s partnership with the government and with the world, we are to come out from among them and to be separate.

[Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17; Acts 5:27-32; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Philippians 3:18-19; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22; Revelation 13:5-8; Revelation 18:1-5] 

This Greek word for “quiet” is the same as was in verse 2, where we read that we (all believers) are to pray for all people, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. For this word “quiet” means peaceful, restful, and calm. It is the opposite of boisterous, clamorous or raucous. In other words, we women are not to cause a disturbance in the church by being loud and unruly or by usurping authority over men, but we should be submissive, reverent, and calm. 

And for all of us, by praying for all people and for those in authority over us, i.e. by taking these matters of concern to God in prayer, it helps us to remain calm and dignified, to not become raucous or clamorous, and to lead godly lives, because we are bringing our burdens to God. This, however, does not mean us women are restricted from all teaching or from using our spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. There is just a proper order and place for things, and we must follow that order. 

Women can teach women, and they can teach children, and they can post their quiet times with God on the internet where anyone can read them (male and female), but where they have no authority over any man, but are subject to the authorities that exist on the internet itself and on various websites. After all, the gifts of teaching and prophecy were given to women, too (Acts 2:16-18). And to prophesy is to proclaim (to preach). So women can prophesy (preach). They are just not to be in authority over men.

For Jesus used the woman at the well to spread the gospel to men, and God used the women at the tomb to take the good news of the resurrection to men (Christ’s disciples), and it was ok for Priscilla and Aquila to approach Apollos and to take him aside and to quietly instruct him in some matters of the gospel on which he was not yet well versed. And women prophesied (preached, proclaimed God’s Word) alongside men on the day of Pentecost as empowered by the Holy Spirit in a mixed gathering of men and women.

And in the case of the women at the tomb, they were acting under the authority of God. In the case of Priscilla and Aquila, she was acting under the authority of her husband and God. The woman at the well merely responded in excitement to what Jesus told her about himself, and she wanted to tell others, but this was God’s plan, which is why Jesus spoke with her. Jesus essentially led the woman to take the gospel to the people.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit gifts women just as he does men, and he has a place for each of us in the body of Christ so that we may encourage and strengthen one another in the faith. So, we need to pray, and we need to be in submission to proper biblical authority (not to those spreading lies; not to those who abuse), and we need to act under the authority of God, and not be raucous and unruly, but to obey and honor God in all ways. And God will make a way for us where there seems to be no way, to fulfill his purpose.

[Matthew 26:6-13; Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 5:25-34; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 2:36-38; Luke 7:36-50; Luke 10:38-42; Luke 24:1-12; John 2:1-11; John 4:1-42; John 8:1-11; John 20:1-18; Acts 2:17-18; Acts 21:9; 1 Corinthians 11:5]

Fear Not, Little Flock 

 

Based off Luke 12  

An Original Work / February 10, 2016

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Fear not, little flock, your Lord’s always near.

Jesus will come and wipe every tear.

Trust in His mercy, rest in His love.

He’ll give you comfort from heaven above.

Our precious Redeemer, Jesus, our friend,

He will be with us, true to the end.

He will not leave you, faithful He’ll be.

Believe His promises, rest on His knee.

Our God, and provider, He knows our need.

He’ll not forsake you. Follow His lead.

He’ll love and comfort you to the end.

Know, on His Word, you can always depend.

https://vimeo.com/154896384

Women in Ministry

An Original Work / March 28, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love