"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
Introduction

The New Testament presents a consistent picture. Women are equal with men in value, dignity, and access to the blessings of salvation. At the same time, God has established distinct roles for men and women in the home and in the public assembly of the church. These distinctions are rooted in the order of creation and in the relationship of Christ to His church. Faithful Christians receive both truths with gratitude.

1. Equality of Value and Standing in Christ

Any discussion of role distinctions must begin with the clear affirmation of the equal worth of men and women before God. The gospel does not create a spiritual hierarchy of value. Salvation is offered freely to all who obey the gospel, without regard to ethnicity, social status, or gender.

Galatians 3:26-28 — “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Paul is not erasing all distinctions in this passage. He is declaring that the barriers that once separated people from full participation in the covenant people of God have been removed in Christ. Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female stand on the same ground of grace. All who are baptized into Christ are clothed with Christ and share equally in the status of “sons of God.”

2. The Role of Women in Marriage and the Home

The New Testament presents marriage as a relationship ordered by God, reflecting the greater relationship between Christ and the church. Within that relationship, the husband is given the role of head, and the wife is called to a posture of respectful submission.

The Husband as Head

Ephesians 5:22-24 — “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”

Paul does not base this instruction on first-century culture. He bases it on the relationship of Christ to the church. The husband is head of the wife in a manner analogous to Christ’s headship over the church. This is not a license for tyranny. Immediately after establishing the husband’s headship, Paul places a heavy responsibility upon him:

Ephesians 5:25-29 — “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”

The Instruction to Older Women

Titus 2:3-5 — “The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”

Paul assigns older women a vital teaching role—specifically toward younger women. They are to train them in the practical virtues of Christian womanhood: love for husband and children, discretion, purity, devotion to the home, goodness, and submission to their own husbands. The purpose is that “the word of God may not be blasphemed.” When Christian women live out these qualities, the gospel is adorned; when they neglect them, the gospel is brought into disrepute.

The home is presented as a primary sphere of a woman’s influence and service. This does not mean that every woman must be married or that every married woman is forbidden from any activity outside the home. It does mean that the New Testament holds up the care of the household and the nurturing of children as honorable and God-ordained work.

3. The Role of Women in the Public Assembly of the Church

The most contested aspect of this subject concerns the participation of women in the public worship assembly. The New Testament contains two extended passages that directly address the matter.

1 Timothy 2:8-15

Paul is giving instructions for the conduct of the church. After addressing the manner of prayer for men, he turns to the women:

1 Timothy 2:9-10 — “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”

The emphasis is on modesty, propriety, and the adornment of good works rather than external display. Then comes the more specific restriction:

1 Timothy 2:11-12 — “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.”

Two activities are forbidden: teaching and exercising authority over a man. The setting is the public assembly where men and women are gathered for instruction. Paul does not base this prohibition on temporary local problems in Ephesus. He immediately grounds it in the order of creation and the events of the Fall:

1 Corinthians 14:33-35

In the context of regulating the use of spiritual gifts in the assembly, Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 14:33b-35 — “As in all the churches of the saints, let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.”

The role of women in the church is not defined by culture, personal opinion, or human tradition. It is defined by God’s Word. Every believer should ask, “Am I respecting God’s design while encouraging Christian women to serve faithfully in every scriptural opportunity?”

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for creating both men and women in Your image and for giving every Christian a valuable place in the body of Christ.

We are grateful for the faithful women who have served You throughout Scripture and for the godly women who continue to strengthen Your church through teaching, prayer, encouragement, hospitality, compassion, and good works.

May every member work together in love, unity, and submission to Christ, so that Your church may grow and Your name may be glorified.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

God values every member of Christ’s body and gives each Christian meaningful opportunities to serve.

Am I respecting God’s design for men and women in the church? Do I appreciate and encourage the faithful women whose teaching, prayer, hospitality, compassion, and good works strengthen the congregation?

May we use every opportunity God provides to serve one another, honor His Word, and glorify Christ.

Garland Van Dyke, Minister

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Send me an email on this or any Bible topic (I only speak English)! [email protected]. 

See our E-book offerings. Join us for a virtual Bible study as we open God’s Word together. Check my website.