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By Hank Walker | Pastor at Peach City Fellowship

Few things cause more emotional upset than discussions (arguments) over women in pastoral ministry. Sadly, most of these kerfuffles are held through social media “meme wars.” At the end of the day, however, when Scripture is explicit, it should be the final, authoritative word on that matter—no matter how one feels about it.

The Bible states, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to TEACH or to have AUTHORITY over a man…” (1 Tim. 2:11–12). Rooted in the creation order, this scripture reflects God’s assignment of different ROLES to men and women within the church (1 Tim. 2:13–14). Thus, women are restricted from serving as pastors, including preaching, publicly teaching (including co-ed, adult Bible Study), and/or exercising spiritual authority over men.

Critics (often called “egalitarians”) argue against this view on several grounds. One common objection is that Paul’s restrictions were due to the uneducated status of women in the first century. However, 1 Timothy 2:11–14 doesn’t mention education, and if education were a requirement, Jesus’ disciples would have been disqualified. Another argument posits that Paul was addressing only the women of Ephesus, who—having been part of the Artemis cult—were accustomed to being vocally active in worship. Yet, the text does not reference Artemis, and in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, he clarifies that the restrictions on women’s roles were universal: “As in ALL THE CHURCHES of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor. 14:33b-34a).

Some egalitarians suggest that Paul’s references to “woman” and “man” in 1 Timothy pertain only to husbands and wives, but this is an invalid argument since the Greek terms apply broadly to ALL men and women. Others cite examples like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah from the Old Testament, but civic leadership in Israel does not correlate to spiritual leadership in the church.

In the New Testament, Priscilla and Phoebe are mentioned as prominent, but never as pastors or teachers of men.

While women may excel in various ministries, they cannot (biblically) hold spiritual teaching authority over men. This doesn’t diminish their importance; rather, it aligns their ministry with God’s design. Women are encouraged to teach other women and children, fulfilling vital roles in the church community while men are called to lead spiritually.

Grace and Peace, y’all.

Soli Deo Gloria