WOMEN PREACHERS

Question: In your December (1962) [The Way of Truth] paper, pg. 20, you say that women have the right to preach, and you refer to Joel 2:28, 29 where it is said women would prophesy. Is there any proof that women ever prophesied in the public assembly of the church? If so, how would you explain first Corinthians 14:34, 35 and first Timothy 2: 11, 12?

Answer:

We must either accept the Word of God as being true or else say it is false! Joel 2:28, 29 plainly states that women would prophesy. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” Now either they did, or the Word of God is false.

Webster gives as one definition for “prophesy,” “to expound the Scriptures”: to preach.” Now to whom would they “expound the Scripture” or to whom would women preach? Whether it be to one (as Jesus did at the well), or whether it be to a thousand; if it is preaching, it is preaching! There would be no purpose in God’s giving women the gift of prophesy unless they was permitted to use it. You do not need the gift of prophesy to “testify” to individuals about the goodness of the Lord. Any child of God should be able to do that.

In regard to 1 Timothy 2:11, 12, this has no reference to women preaching. It is speaking of the husband-wife relationship in the home. “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (singular). Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.—vs. 15

Adam and Eve are referred to in this Scripture as an example, which further proves Paul was speaking of the family relations and not women’s official position in the church as set forth in other Scriptures.

In reference to 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35, let us notice this point. Paul said the women should keep silent. “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” Why do people apply this only to preaching? Silence means just that! [Silence—forbearance from speech or noise: MUTENESS] To take this just as it is stated, women should not pray, sing or testify, or even greet another person in the church. Does Paul mean that? No! For we read in this same book, chapter 11, verse 5, “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head,” which clearly shows women could pray or prophesy in church if they met the requirements. Now is Paul going to teach in chapter 11 that they can speak, and say in chapter 14 that they cannot?

Adam Clarke says, “It is evident from the context that the apostle refers here to asking questions, and what we call dictating, in the assemblies. It was permitted to any man to ask questions to object, attempt to refute, etc., in the synagogue: but this liberty was not allowed to any woman. … If they wished to learn anything, let them inquire of her husband at home. …All that the apostle opposes here is this questioning, finding fault, disputing, etc. …together with the attempt to usurp any authority over the men, by setting up their judgment in opposition to them; for the apostle has in view especially acts of disobedience, arrogance, etc., of which no woman would be guilty who was under the influence of the Spirit of God.”

Mr. Clarke says in reference to Joel’s words, “The Spirit of God was to be poured out on women as well as men, that they might prophesy, and that they did prophesy or teach is evident from what the apostle says in chapter 11, verse 5 (of 1 Corinthians, as I pointed out above) where he lays down rules to regulate their conduct while ministering in the church.”

We should always keep in mind that one part of God’s Word when rightly divided does not contradict another part. Also, in arriving at the truth concerning any Bible subject it is always good to get all Scriptures that bear on the subject together and rightly divide them. Many false doctrines have been built around one or two verses of Scripture that have been taken out of context and wrongly interpreted.

The gifts of the Spirit (preaching being one of those gifts) are given for the profit of all the church (1 Cor. 12:7). Therefore, when God in His great wisdom sees fit to give one of His handmaidens the gift of preaching it is for the benefit of the entire body.