SATURDAY March 15, 2025

God’s Order for the Church

Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
1 Timothy 2:11-13

First of all, before we get into the text, I want to share with you that Paul the Apostle was not a male chauvinist. It is important that women do not become offended by what he was sharing. The Word of God speaks for itself, but we need a good understanding of Jewish culture and the historical context to fully grasp the meaning of what he was teaching.

You see, when a Jewish man came to the synagogue, he came to learn, and there was discourse. However, whenever a woman entered, she could hear the teaching, but she was not allowed to speak. In fact, women were in a separate area of the synagogue.

Both Jesus Christ and Paul loved women. In many cultures, women were not highly regarded. They have come a long way, because Jesus uplifted and highly esteemed them, and they ministered to Him. Paul especially valued women because they faithfully served alongside him in the ministry. In Scripture, Paul forbade a woman to serve, as a master Rabbi––a senior Pastor in a church. This is why Calvary Chapel churches do not ordain women to be pastors.

Again, a woman cannot be a pastor and there is a reason for this. God is a God of order––Adam was formed first, then Eve. Men and women have different positions in marriage and in the church. Women have a right and a responsibility to be involved in the ministry. A woman can teach other women and serve wholeheartedly in the women’s ministry. There are always needs in the children’s ministry for Sunday school teachers. They can also help in the greeter’s and usher’s ministries and be prayer warriors. Like Paul, I appreciate all the godly women here at the Chapel. They are such a great help to us in the ministry.

In some instances on the mission field, there may not be a man taking the lead position as a pastor, then it is possible for a woman with the gift of teaching to take the position until the Lord raises up a man.

The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the Church. And the wife is there to bless and support and help him.
~Elisabeth Elliot~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!