Let’s start with two very clear, unqualified, scriptures:

“Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection; but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness; for Adam was formed first, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived; but the woman, having been deceived, was in transgression.” (1 Tim. 2:11-14)

 

“Let [your] women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says. But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own men at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly. Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only? If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is [the] Lord's commandment.” (1 Cor. 14:34-37)

 

Is there anything unclear about what God says in these two passages? Women should not teach or have any authority over men . . . and this is true always and everywhere in assembly (church) meetings or other public settings.

As I also mentioned in regard to 1 Cor. 11:3-16, which speaks about woman praying and prophesying:  This passage encompasses both public and private ministry and worship, both inside and outside of the assembly setting (unlike when we get to verse 11:17, which speaks of the assembly setting in particular). Thus since 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14 are perfectly clear about women in church meetings or other public settings not teaching or speaking or having authority over men, then, when we get to 1 Cor. 11 where women are seen praying and prophesying, it is obvious (since the Word of God cannot contradict itself) that this has reference ONLY to “private” (not “public”) settings (which would also have to be the case with the women prophets in Acts 18:26 and 21:9).

And by "private," I don't mean in terms of when you're all alone, by yourself; but "private" in terms of a private setting (like in the privacy of a home), and under the headship of a husband or father (Acts 18:26 and 21:9).

None of this has to do, by the way, with being able to preach or share the gospel with lost souls. But women should not preach in a “public” way (which God forbids in 1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim 2), but in private, personal, one-to-one situations. There she can share the gospel freely with God’s blessing!

Acting otherwise is purely the work of the flesh, self-will, acting against the Holy Spirit who inspired these scriptures and gave these directions.

Now let me address some of the other specifics and “dust thrown in the eyes” in the statements that were made on a particular website (all designed to negate the Word of God and base everything on personal “experience” and self-will, thus exalting self above subjection to God and His Word):

>>> Christian women, you have a God given destiny for your life.  The Holy Spirit has given you spiritual hunger for the kingdom of God.  Christian women, do not permit yourself to be silenced by gender prejudice in the Christian church.  

Notice that whoever wrote this is pretending that this is about “gender prejudice” . . . but 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14 are all too clear. It is God who is speaking, not “gender prejudice” (designed as a cover and deflection to get around the Word of God).

>>> Christian men, know that there is more than enough Christian ministry work for all the body of Christ.  This is not about having dominance or power over you.  Every Christian needs to flow in the Holy Spirit to bring the kingdom of God to earth.

Here is another false statement. The Holy Spirit is not trying to “bring the kingdom of God to earth.” That is NOT God’s purpose in this age; His purpose is to form the heavenly Body of Christ, the Church in this age. The Kingdom will not be established without the presence of the King on earth, so the Kingdom will not be established till the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this earth at His second coming.

>>> 1. There is not one Scripture in the Bible that forbids women from preaching, but on the contrary, there are many verses that encourage both men and women to preach the Gospel.

Again, 1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2 are perfectly clear, and ENTIRELY ignored, because it not to their liking! No subjection to the Word of God!

 “Preaching” in a public sense is prohibited to women by 1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2; but as mentioned earlier, that does not mean that women are not free to share the gospel on a personal/individual/one-on-one basis (i.e., privately). The writer of this statement is conflating the two and pretending that those who truly believe the Word of God (1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2) are against women sharing the gospel with someone in a non-public way or role/position.

2. The Bible teaches that God is not a respecter of persons, and He will use any and all who will yield to Him, regardless of race, age, or sex. Galatians 3:28 - "...neither male nor female...for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

First of all, the fact that God is not a respecter of persons means that He does not show favoritism; it does NOT mean that there are no distinctions between men and women and roles that God assigns to each sex. Citing Gal. 3:28 is a perfect example of scripture-twisting, to get around the Word of God and cause it to seemingly contradict itself (1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2). Gal. 3:28 does NOT mean that there are no distinctions between men and women or their respective roles in service/ministry for God. What Gal. 3:28 DOES mean is that all believers (men and women) are all “one” or equal sons and heirs in Christ in our salvation. No distinctions are true in regard to our position and blessings in Christ. But that does not mean that distinctions do not exist in other respects, such as service/ministry and roles in the home, etc. Such an absurd notion would contradict all of scripture!

In fact, if Gal. 3:28 meant (what it does NOT say) that there are no distinctions between men and women in Christ, then that would mean that there would be no distinction between husband and wife, that the man was not the head of the woman (1 Cor. 11:3), and that homosexuality would be impossible to condemn and be permissible . . .after all, there is supposedly no distinction between men and women!!

At any rate, the issue is not about whether there were or were not female prophets. There were. But in the Church no woman, whether a prophetess or not, is to have a “public” role in service/ministry or worship. 1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2 are too CLEAR.  God hath spoken!!
 

>>>3. The Great Commission, Mark 16:15, "Preach the Gospel," is to ALL believers, and to all the church of Jesus Christ. The command to "preach the Gospel" is to both male and female.

First of all, Mark 16:15 was spoken by our resurrected Lord directly to the 11 Apostles (verse 14), who were ALL men, and directing them “to preach the gospel to all creation.” Of course, Christians today are to continue to preach and spread the gospel to lost souls all over the world, but we are to do so within a biblically-defined framework, guidelines, orders—and thus WITHOUT contradicting the Word of God (1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14). As such, women are to freely share/spread the gospel, but NOT in a public way or role!

>>> 4. It is an undeniable fact that God has called and anointed thousands of women to preach the Gospel.

What is undeniable is God’s Word and His directives in 1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2, which are absolutely prohibitive of the public role of women in ministry/service. Thus God has undeniably NOT called women to contradict what He has revealed as His will in His Word. Personal “experience” cannot be used to override and negate the Word of God!

>> >The Full Gospel organizations have hundreds of licensed and ordained women who are preaching, teaching, evangelizing, pastoring, and doing mission work with the signs following their ministry. God is using them for the salvation of the lost, deliverance from sin, gifts of the Spirit, and infilling of the Holy Spirit.

In addition to what I have stated above, I would also add that God, in His sovereignty, often brings good out of bad (evil works or disobedience of men and women). But the fact that God overrules man and works through their disobedience to bless and accomplish much good (as in the salvation of souls)—this does NOT justify or vindicate our self-willed, self-chosen, disobedient path and lack of subjection to His Word!

>>> The Bible says, "Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm." And may we be reminded of the Scripture in Acts 5:39, "If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."

We are not talking about “harming” a prophet of God, whether male or female. What we are talking about is the different roles that God has assigned to men and women, based on creation and deception in the fall (1 Tim. 2) as to how men and women should carry out their God-given ministries/service. God has NOT called women to contradict what He has revealed as His will for them in His Word (1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2). Again, personal “experience” cannot be used to override and negate the Word of God!

Female prophets (prophetesses), in harmony with 1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2, were to, therefore, exercise their ministry/service ONLY in “private” (not “public”) settings (which would be the case with the women prophets in Acts 18:26 and 21:9).

>>> 6. The Bible declares that women will prophesy: 1 Cor. 11:5, "For every woman that prayeth or prophesieth...."

I’ve answered this at length above. Female prophets (prophetesses), in harmony with 1 Cor. 14 and 1 Tim. 2, were to exercise their ministry/service ONLY in “private” (not “public”) settings (which would be the case with the women prophets in Acts 18:26 and 21:9).

>>>Both the Hebrew (Nebrah), and Greek (Proph) used for prophetess means (female preacher). (See Young's Concordance, Pg. 780.) The word "Prophet" means a public expounder. The word "Prophesy" means to speak forth, or flow forth. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 14:3, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto MEN to edification, and exhortation and comfort."

The word “prophet” does NOT mean or imply any PUBLIC role or activity whatsoever; and definitely not in contradiction of 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14.

>>> Therefore we learn from the original translation, from the Bible interpretation, and from the dictionary, that to prophesy means more than to tell the future, but it is to speak publicly about the past, present, or future.

Again, false, and in contradiction of the Word of God in 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14. This whole “public” idea is purposefully being injected into the word “prophet” so as to pursue self-will, careless of the fact that the Word of God is thereby being rendered null and void by the lack of subjection to it and disregard for it and making it to contradict itself.

>>> Even if the words prophet and preacher could be separated, how could anyone prophesy to bring exhortation, comfort and edification to the church, if she were forbidden to speak in church and was to keep silent?

What “if”? 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14 DO IN FACT forbid such speaking in a public setting or role. There is no “if” about it!

“Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection; but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness; for Adam was formed first, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived; but the woman, having been deceived, was in transgression.” (1 Tim. 2:11-14)

“Let [your] women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says. But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own men at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly. Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only? If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things that I write to you, that it is [the] Lord's commandment.” (1 Cor. 14:34-37)

Again, female prophets would bring “exortation, comfort and edification” in exercising their ministry/service ONLY in a non-public/private setting and role, under the headship of her husband or father (Acts 18:26 and 21:9).
 

>>> Would God inspire and anoint someone to do something that was wrong and sinful???

NO!! Therefore such behavior is not “inspired and anointed” from God! No, God would never contradict His Word nor ever cause someone to sin. It is all wicked self-will, with lack of subjection to the clear revelation of His will for women as recorded in His inspired Word!

Again, personal “experience” (and disobedient conduct) cannot be used to override and negate the Word of God!

>>> 7. God called and used women preachers in the Old Testament.

Even if this were the case in the Old Testament for Israel, should this be used as an excuse and pretext to contradict God’s revealed will for women in the New Testament Church?! Far be the thought!!

>>> a. DEBORAH - Judges 4:4-5. Deborah was a Judge for both civil and criminal cases. The children of Israel came to her for judgment. She was the chief ruler of Israel for 40 years, giving orders to the Generals and all the army. She did the work of an evangelist, prophetess, Judge, and a preacher. God gave her authority over the mighty (Judges 5:13).

First of all, Deborah was not an “evangelist” or “preacher.” That is FALSE.

And exceptional Old Testament cases for Israel should NOT be used as an excuse and pretext to contradict God’s revealed will for women in the New Testament Church!

And this is indeed an exceptional case (like when God used a donkey to rebuke the false prophet Balaam).

The Book of Judges (where Deborah is seen, chapters 4-5) is a book focused on Israel’s disobedient ways and departure from the Lord, and the depths of moral degradation to which they sunk, and where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6 and 21:25), not in accordance with God’s revelation of His will.

It is in this context that God used a women (Deborah) to rule over Israel . . . as a SHAME to them in their complete moral degradation and departure from God. Israel should have felt absolute shame at the fact that God used a women to rule over them. That was NOT something for Israel (or we today) to be PROUD of, but to be ASHAMED of!

And as I stated earlier, God, in His sovereignty, often brings good out of bad (evil works or disobedience of men and women). But the fact that God overrules man and works through their disobedience to bless and accomplish much good—this does NOT justify or vindicate our self-willed, self-chosen, disobedient path and lack of subjection to His Word.

>>> c. HULDAH - 2 Kings 22:14. Five men went to Sister Huldah and communed with her. She spoke to a congregation of men concerning the book of the Law. A female preached to a man's congregation, and her message was taken to the nation and produced a revival.

This characterization (of an Old Testament case with Israel, not the NT Church) is completely FALSE. And notice that this characterization that “a female preached to a man’s congregation” is made even though it directly contradicts 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14! How shameful!!

Read 2 Kings 22:14-15: “So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah the son of Harhas, the keeper of the robes. Now she was living in Jerusalem in the second district. Then they spoke to her, and she said to them, “Thus says Yahweh the God of Israel . . .”

Notice that the men went to the PRIVACY of her home. This was a private/non-public setting! And further notice that it was in the home of/under the headship of her husband (Shallum).

This is in perfect harmony with what I have been stating above from the Word of God.

>>> 8. God called and used women preachers in the New Testament.

a. The first message of the Resurrection of Christ was spoken by women to a group of men.

Again, this was not a matter of exercising ministry/service in a PUBLIC way or role, or exercising authority over men! This was done in a godly, obedient, private manner and setting.

>>> b. Anna - Luke 2:36-38. She must have prophesied in church, because she did not depart from the temple.

First of all, there was no Church, Body of Christ in existence yet (which was formed on the Day of Pentecost after the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ). Anna was a godly Jewish saint, and also a “prophetess.”

Notice, again, that this characterization is completely FALSE, and made even though it would directly contradict 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14! How shameful!!

Luke 2:36-38 actually says the following:

“And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and herself as a widow up to eighty-four years) who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day. And at that same hour she approached [the temple] and began to give thanks to God, and to speak about him [Jesus who was to be born soon] to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Even though Anna was not part of the NT Church, the Body of Christ, nonetheless, her actions are in harmony with 1 Tim. 2. She was not exercising her ministry/service in a “public” leadership role or exercising authority over men. She was sharing the good news of the coming birth of the Saviour who would redeem Israel. She was perfectly free and blessed to do so . . . on a personal/individual/one-on-one basis to “all” who were “waiting” for the Saviour as she was.

>>>c. Phillip had 4 daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:9.
 

>>>d. Priscilla assisted Paul in his revival meeting and even taught Apollos in the way of the Lord more perfectly.

I’ve already answered these above. There is NO evidence from the Bible that the 4 daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9) or Priscilla (Acts 18:26) exercised their ministry/service in contradiction to 1 Cor. 14 or 1 Tim. 2; i.e., in a “public” way or role. Rather, in harmony with 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14, as obedient believers, they must have done so in a "private" manner, under the headship of a husband (in Priscilla’s case, Acts 18:26) or father (in the case of the 4 daughters, Acts 21:9).

Here are the two passages:

“And he [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.” (Acts 18:26)

Notice that it was done PRIVATELY, not in a public manner or display or role, and under the headship and presence of Priscilla’s husband, Aquila.

“And on the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and entered into the house of Philip the evangelist . . .  and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.” (Acts 21:9)

Notice that they came to the house of Philip, the father of the 4 female prophets. The house was a private setting, and nowhere is it stated or even remotely implied in scripture that the 4 daughters exercised their prophetic ministry/service in a disobedient manner; i.e., in a public manner or role or apart from the headship and presence of their father Philip.
 

>>> Some say God will not use a woman to preach, because "The woman was deceived," but remember Romans 5:12: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world." It seems to indicate that Adam was just as guilty as Eve in the fall of man. If anyone should be kept from preaching because of sin, it would be Adam. But God does not forbid anyone from preaching, because of Adam's or Eve's sin.

Notice that the person who wrote this is directly contradicting 1 Tim. 2 in the most blatant, hubristic and outrageous manner!

“Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection; but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness; for Adam was formed first, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived; but the woman, having been deceived, was in transgression.” (1 Tim. 2:11-14)

This prohibition of public teaching and of exercising of authority over man is based on two things: creation (man was created first), and secondly, deception in the fall.  Yes, Adam did sin and was more responsible as the head of the woman (Eve) and as the head of the human race. What made his sin worse is that he was not “deceived” as Eve was. The second reason that woman is prohibited from occupying a public role in teaching and in exercising authority over man is precisely because she was the one who was thoroughly “deceived” by the devil. Because woman was created after man, and because she is shown to be more susceptible to satanic/demonic deception, she is therefore barred from taking leadership in public teaching or exercise of authority over man. Period! God hath spoken!

Yet the person who wrote the above comments is flatly contradicting what God declares. How shameful and how blind and how dangerous!

>>> 10. 1 Cor. 14: 34-35 does not say anything about women preachers. If Paul intended this verse as a general rule to bar all women from speaking in church, then they cannot teach Sunday School, testify, pray, prophesy, sing, or even get saved, and this would contradict the rest of the Bible (Acts 2:4; Acts 2:16-18).

Again, what “if”? 1 Cor. 14 (and 1 Tim. 2) DO IN FACT forbid such speaking in a public setting or role. There is no “if” about it! Read for yourself:

“Let [your] women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says. But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own men at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly. Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only? If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is [the] Lord's commandment.” (1 Cor. 14:34-37)

This applies to all Christians, all churches, everywhere at all times. Nothing cultural about it (as some would say, to evade the Word of God; in which case, how would anyone know what is “cultural” or not? And who decides? The domino-effect is to negate the entire word of God as His inspired revelation for us. How sad and shameful!). 1 Cor. 1:1-2 is explicit too: “Paul, called an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God sanctified in Christ Jesus that is in Corinth, called saints, together with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours.”

Notice the absurdity of this person mixing in “singing” and “getting saved” . . .  all in an effort to act to do what is right in one’s own eyes, to act in self-will, to avoid being in subjection to God and His Word, and to actually contradict and deny it. 1 Cor. 14 speaks directly and clearly about the public role that women should NOT take as obedient children of God. If they are not to publically “speak” in such assembly settings, then they obviously cannot publically teach or exercise authority over men. Any true “prophet” will acknowledge and bow to 1 Cor. 14 as “the Lord’s command.”

>>> Paul was rather dealing with a particular problem in the church. Women were not educated as were the men in that day; therefore the women would talk back and forth to their husbands in church and ask questions concerning the sermon.

Where is any of this said in the Bible??? It is made up entirely from thin air . . . again, to seek one’s own will and ways, and by-pass the authority of Scripture.
 

>>> 11. 1 Timothy 2:12 is not a blanket rule for all women of all churches.

Again, this person is flatly denying and contradicting the authority of the inspired scriptures. Read for yourself:

“Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection; but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness; for Adam was formed first, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived; but the woman, having been deceived, was in transgression.” (1 Tim. 2:11-14)

Any exceptions for some women in some churches? How foolish and self-willed and deluded.

>>>If it were, then the women could not speak at all, for the same verse that tells them not to teach also tells them to be silent.

Again, what “if”? 1 Tim. 2 (and 1 Cor. 14) DO IN FACT forbid such speaking in a public setting or role. There is no “if” about it.

One final observation . . . the same folks who outright deny, contradict and ignore the authority of the Word of God are often the same ones claiming they are specially blessed in performing miraculous signs from God! And further act as if it were some show of spirituality (forgetting the Corinthians who had the most display of tongues and other sign-gifts were also the most carnal/unspiritual!)