What Does the Bible Say About Women Pastors? – Biblical Teaching

Intoduction

Welcome to the “what does the Bible say about women pastors” article! This topic is sensitive and timely. The Bible teaches that a wife should not teach ✚1 Tim. 2:12–14. It clearly states it in the Bible, but in almost every denomination a woman still teaches. It is simply not followed, but all kinds of explanations are invented for it. This is not some opinion of my own, but it is written in the Bible. But what exactly does the Bible say about this topic?

What Does the Bible Say About Women Pastors?

In the Bible it is clearly said that a woman should submit under the authority of a man. This is not some chauvinistic opinion, but the teaching of the Bible ✚1 Cor. 14:34–35. If the church operates in the flesh, then a woman is given power and the teaching of the Bible is not followed. I believe that this will increase before the church is purified. It requires leaders who teach in the way of the Bible and thus bring the church into the right state, as the Bible teaches.

Bible passages are either interpreted incorrectly or they are bypassed. Every Spiritual woman knows her place in the church and if she is now in the Holy Spirit, she knows how to adapt to the model of how it was originally taught.

Does Paul Forbid Women From Teaching?

Yes, according to the Bible. In the Bible there is not a single female leader in the new covenant as an apostle or a shepherd. Paul clearly states the role of women in the church. Some small denominations still hold on to the doctrine and they are often labeled as legalistic. One must remember that the question is not about people’s opinions but about what the Lord says. One should not be offended by it. So if you are a woman and you are in the position of a pastor, then pray whether the Lord has truly called you to the office of a pastor?

Women as Leaders in the Old Testament

In the old covenant God used women as leaders. One must remember that it is a question of the old covenant, which has become obsolete. Jesus brought the new covenant, where the position of women is different. ✚Jer. 31:31–33, ✚Luke 22:20, ✚Heb. 8:13

Deborah was a judge and a leader in the old covenant. ✚Judg. 4:4–5. In the old covenant God called Deborah to lead. In the old covenant it was not the will of man, but of God. She was also a prophet. She led the people both spiritually and practically.

Miriam was the sister of Moses. She is called a prophet. She led women in worship after the liberation from Egypt. ✚Exod. 15:20–21.

Huldah. ✚2 Kings 22:14–20. King Josiah sent men to seek counsel from Huldah. She gave the word of God to the entire nation. Her authority was so great that the king sought guidance from her.

Esther. ✚Esth. 4:14–16, ✚Esth. 5:1–3. A Jewish woman who became a queen. She risked her life to save her people. She influenced the king politically.

Abigail. ✚1 Sam. 25:1–42. She prevented David from committing bloodshed. She acted wisely in a crisis situation.

Are There Female Leaders in the New Covenant?

Among the apostles, nor among the teachers, there are no female leaders. I cannot find any female pastors or leaders anywhere in the new covenant. It is because of what Paul taught. In the new covenant there are therefore no female leaders.

Women Can Teach Women

Women can of course teach younger women. ✚Titus 2:3–4. So if you are a woman and you want to teach, then teach younger women. The Bible does not forbid that. You can even start a small group where you invite only women.

Can a Woman Then Do Any Spiritual Work?

Yes! A woman can prophesy, pray and evangelize, sing worship songs and serve as a deacon. It does not mean that a woman could not do Spiritual work. It means that the position of a woman is different compared to a man. A Spiritual woman knows how to take her place in the church and act accordingly. If a woman is in the flesh, then she may not understand her place, nor follow the exhortation of the Bible.

A Woman Can Show the Way of Salvation

In the Acts of the Apostles there is an example where Priscilla shows the way of salvation. ✚Acts 18:24–26. So it is not wrong for a woman to show the way of salvation. Based on that, a woman can evangelize. One must remember that God is merciful, but He requires that a woman takes her own place in the church.

The Husband Should Show His Wife What the Bible Teaches

Because the man is the head of the woman ✚1 Cor. 11:3, it is the responsibility of the man how the woman acts in the church. If the man does not care about the Bible passages where it speaks about women leading or women speaking in the church, then the woman may begin to teach and rule over her husband. In marriage there must be an order where the man acts as the head. If the man encourages his wife to ask Spiritual questions from him, and does not teach in the church and submits to the will of the man, then also the wife can remain in the Biblical teaching. The task of the man is to show what the Bible teaches to his wife.

It Is Shameful for a Woman to Speak in the Church

The Bible goes even so far that it says that it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. ✚1 Cor. 14:34–35. I do not see this in denominations but in some denominations women speak and teach even more than men. In this matter the church must repent. It happens only through the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit a person operates as carnal or soulish, and then all kinds of sin happens. The Holy Spirit reveals sin and when believers receive the conviction of sin, they can repent.

Some teach that this means only a specific place where Paul taught. I personally feel that it is a general instruction for all churches, not only for the one Paul was speaking to. The matter is spoken about in several places in the Bible, not just in one place.

Summary

According to the Bible a woman should not serve in leadership positions. In the Bible it is said, even that it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. This is not generally taught in this age of the world, but women lead and speak in denominations. If now the church were full of the Holy Spirit, then this problem would not exist, but into the church would come fear and through it liberation. A woman is valuable to God and salvation is for both man and woman, but the position in the church is different. So if you are a woman and a believer, then take your own place in the church, pray and see what the Bible teaches and live accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bible forbid women pastors? Yes. The Bible teaches that a woman should not teach nor have authority over her husband in the church (✚1 Tim. 2:12–14). In the new covenant there are no examples of female apostles or female pastors.

Can a woman teach in the church? A woman can teach younger women (✚Titus 2:3–4), but according to the Bible a woman should not teach men in the church nor serve as a leader of the church.

What about Deborah? Was she not a leader? Deborah was a judge and a prophet in the old covenant (✚Judg. 4:4–5). The old covenant has however become obsolete (✚Heb. 8:13), and in the new covenant the position of women in the church is different.

What spiritual work can a woman do? A woman can prophesy, pray, evangelize, sing worship songs, serve as a deacon and teach younger women. A woman can also show the way of salvation, as Priscilla did (✚Acts 18:24–26).

Why do so many churches allow women pastors? Bible passages are either interpreted incorrectly or they are bypassed. When the church does not operate under the leading of the Holy Spirit, the teaching of the Bible is not followed. This requires repentance and a return to Biblical teaching.

What is the responsibility of the husband in this matter? The man is the head of the woman (✚1 Cor. 11:3), so it is the responsibility of the husband to teach his wife what the Bible says. In marriage there must be an order where the man acts as the head.

Is a woman less valuable than a man? No. A woman is valuable to God and salvation is for both man and woman (✚Gal. 3:28). It is not about value but about position and role in the church. God has appointed different tasks for man and woman.

Thank you for reading to the end!