According to the Bible, can women teach or lead in Yahusha Messiah’s congregations?
The answer is “yes!”, although due to taking verses out of context and lack of analysis of the Greek vocabulary, controversies arise on this issue.
Let’s see how things play out in Scripture!
The Apostle Paul, when he wrote those famous passages regarding “women” in the congregation and in teaching, was writing in the context of husbands and wives. In Greek, the same word, γυνή (“gynē”), means “woman” and “wife,” and while we see in the Bible the subjection of wives to their husbands, there is no such indication regarding women in general to men. And even in the New Testament, the only assumption of subordination is for a wife to her husband, IF the husband is subordinate to Yahusha.
An example of this is, for example, Deborah, who was both Prophetess and Judge of Israel, and who taught and gave orders to millions of men!
4 And Deḇorah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappiḏoth, was ruling Yisra’ĕl at that time.
5 And she was dwelling under the palm tree of Deḇorah between Ramah and Bĕyth Ěl in the mountains of Ephrayim. And the children of Yisra’ĕl came up to her for right-ruling.
8 And Baraq said to her, “If you go with me, then I shall go; but if you do not go with me, I do not go.”
9 And she said, “I shall certainly go with you. Only, there shall be no esteem for you in the journey you are taking, for Yahuah is going to sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” So Deḇorah arose and went with Baraq to Qeḏesh.
7“ Leadership ceased, it ceased in Yisra’ĕl, until I, Deḇorah, arose – a mother in Yisra’ĕl arose.
Judges 4:4-5, 8-9 and 5:7
Other examples of Prophetesses mentioned in the Scriptures include:
Miriam “20 And Miryam the prophetess, the sister of Aharon, took the timbrel in her hand. And all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.” Exodus 15:20
Huldah “22 Then Ḥilqiyahu and those of the sovereign went to Ḥuldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Toqhath, son of Ḥasrah, keeper of the wardrobe, who was dwelling in Yerushalayim in the Second Quarter. And they spoke to her about this.
23 And she said to them, “Thus said Yahuah Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, ‘Say to the man who sent you to Me:” 2 Chronicles 34:22-23
The Wife of Isaiah “3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. And Yahuah said to me, “Call his name Mahĕr-Shalal-Ḥash-Baz;” Isaiah 8:3
Anna “36 And there was Ḥannah, a prophetess, a daughter of Penu’ĕl, of the tribe of Ashĕr. She was advanced in years, and had lived with a husband seven years from her maidenhood,
37 and she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not leave the Set-apart Place, but served Elohim with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she, coming in at that moment, gave thanks to Yahuah, and spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption in Yerushalayim.”
Luke 2:36-38
4 Daughters of Philip “8 And on the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and went into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 Now this one had four maiden daughters who prophesied.” Acts 21:8-9
From several of Paul’s statements, some conclude that women are to remain silent, but even eg: “
34 Let your women be silent in the assemblies, for they are not allowed to speak, but let them subject themselves, as the Torah also says. 35 And if they wish to learn whatever, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in an assembly.” 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, does not speak of women in general, (again, the same word has both meanings), but of wives in conjunction with their husbands in the congregation (verse 35 refers specifically to these husbands).
Women even in the New Testament taught and were as much in the forefront as men, e.g.: Priscilla “3 Greet Priscilla and Aqulas, my fellow workers in Messiah Yahusha ,4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the nations,
5 and the assembly that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epainetos, who is the first-fruits of Achaia to Messiah.” Romans 16:3-5
“24 And a certain Yehuḏi named Apollos, born at Alexandria, a learned man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesos. 25 This one had been instructed in the way of the Master. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the matters about the Master exactly, though he knew only the immersion of Yoḥanan. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the congregation. And when Aqulas and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of Elohim more exactly.” Acts 18:24-26 – Even in Marriage, Priscilla as well as Aquila taught and led in the assembly.” (They even taught Apollos!)
A great example of the position of women in the congregation is Phoebe “1 And I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the assembly in Kenḥrea, 2 that you receive her in Yahuah, worthy of the set-apart ones, and assist her in whatever matter she has need of you. For she has been a great help to many, including me.” Romans 16: 1-2, who is described as the Deacon(s) of the Cenchrea congregation.
Or in Romans 16:7, “7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in the Messiah before me.”, we see a woman named Junia whom Paul describes as an Apostle. She was respected among the Apostles.
The role of an apostle is very high in the congregation! Unfortunately, some translators have tried to turn this name into a male version – Junius.
Or in 2 John, “1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,” 2 John 1:1, which is written to a Woman “lady” who leads and teaches in the congregation over her children (probably spiritual children). John gives her instructions in this letter on how to do this.
Also we see in 1 Corinthians 1:11, “11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by those of the house of Chloe, that there are strifes among you.”, a woman named Chloe who had “her people” in the congregation, who reported to Paul about the sinful behavior of other congregations.
There is also an example of a woman named Lidia, who was recognized by Paul and others as “faithful in Yahuah,” and even persuaded, in fact compelled Paul to live with her, it is described in: “14 And a certain woman named Ludia, a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, worshipping Elohim, was hearing, whose heart the Master did open to pay attention to what Sha’ul said. 15 And when she was immersed, and her household, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be believing in the Master, come to my house and stay.” And she urged us.” Acts 16:14-15
There is also recognized by Paul, a sister in Yahusha named Apphia (or Apophia), who is one of the three addressees of the letter to Philemon, and the three were presented as people in whose house the congregation was, and so as well as Philemon, Apphia and Archipp were on the board of the congregation. “1 Sha’ul, a prisoner of Messiah Yahusha, and Timotiyos the brother, to Pileymon our beloved one and fellow worker, 2 and Apphia our sister, and Archippos our fellow soldier, and the assembly at your house…” Philemon 1:1-2
We also see a Woman named Nympha leading the congregation in her own house!
“15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.” Colossians 4:15
Unfortunately, some translators also tried to substitute this name for the male version – Nymphas.
There are many details that many people forget regarding women in the church and in the service with Yahusha. There is, for example, the fact that in the verse “12 And having realised this, he went to the house of Miryam, the mother of Yoḥanan who was also called Marqos, where many had gathered to pray.” Acts 12:12, “Many gathered at the home of the MOTHER OF John Mark”, where they were gathered in prayer.
Along with Yahusha, very often we see women walking with Him and ministering, persevering in Yahusha’s discipleship, e.g.: in Luke 8:1-3 are: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna “AND MANY OTHERS” who ministered to Yahusha with their possessions. “1 And it came to be, afterward, that He went through every city and village, proclaiming and bringing the Good News of the reign of Elohim, and the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who were healed of wicked spirits and sicknesses: Miryam, called ‘from Maḡdala,’ out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Yoḥanah the wife of Kuza, manager of Herodes, and Shoshannah, and many others who provided for Him from their resources.” Luke 8:1-3
It was the Women who first heard of Yahusha’s resurrection and were given the task to DECLARE it to others, and it was the women who walked behind Yahusha during the Way of the Cross, kept vigil at the tomb as well as at the cross – when his disciples i.e. men were missing.
“27 And a great number of the people were following Him, and women who also were mourning and lamenting Him. 28 But Yahusha, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Yerushalayim, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Luke 23:27-28
“59 And having taken the body, Yosĕph wrapped it in clean linen, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock. And he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and went away. 61 And Miryam from Maḡdala was there, and the other Miryam, sitting opposite the tomb.” Matthew 27:59-61
“25 And by the stake of Yahusha stood His mother, and His mother’s sister, Miryam the wife of Qlophah, and Miryam from Maḡdala. 26 Then Yahusha, seeing His mother and the taught one whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, see your son!” 27 Then to the taught one He said, “See, your mother!” And from that hour that taught one took her to his own home.” John 19:25-27
Elsewhere, Paul mentions women who toil in Yahuah, or spiritual service, in Romans 16:6,12.
“6 Greet Miryam, who worked very hard for us.”, “12 Greet Truphaina and Truphosa, who work in Yahuah. Greet the beloved Persis, who worked very hard in Yahuah.” Romans 16:6, 12
The Prophetess Anna (in the New Testament) was the first person PREACHING the GOSPEL about Yahusha to all people!!!
“38 And she, coming in at that moment, gave thanks to Yahuah, and spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption in Yerushalayim.” Luke 2:38
Timothy was taught the doctrines of the faith by his pious grandmother Loida and Mother Eunice, whose faith was called as incorruptible. They taught him concerning the holy scriptures and made him wise unto Salvation through faith in Yahusha the Messiah.
2 Tim 1:5 and 2 Tim 3:14-15
“5 For I recollect the sincere belief which is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunike, and I am persuaded is in you too.” 2 Timothy 1:5, and in “14 But you, stay in what you have learned and trusted, having known from whom you have learned, 15 and that from a babe you have known the Set-apart Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for deliverance through belief in Messiah Yahusha.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15
In Philippians 4:2-3, although it is an admonition to abide in unity, Paul describes Euodia and Syntyche as individuals who, along with him and other men, “fought for the Gospel,” and they are listed as equals!
“2 I appeal to Euodia and I appeal to Suntuche to be of the same mind in the Master. 3 And I also ask you, true companion, help these women who laboured with me in the Good News, with Qlemes also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.” Philippians 4:2-3
Let’s remember the most important thing in fact…. namely: Mark 16:15-18, that EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES should minister and will have the signs of faith, that is, healing others, casting out demons, preaching the Gospel, prophesying and speaking in tongues, and ministering in the congregation and to the people with all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit which “the Spirit disposes as He wills.”
“15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to every creature. 16 “He who has believed and has been immersed, shall be saved, but he who has not believed shall be condemned. 17 “And these signs shall accompany the ones who believe: In My Name they shall cast out demons, they shall speak with renewed tongues, 18 they shall take up snakes, and if they drink any deadly drink it shall by no means hurt them, they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall get well.” Mark 16:15-18
“7 But to each one of us favour was given according to the measure of the gift of Messiah
10 He who went down is also the One who went up far above all the heavens, to fill all.
11 And He Himself gave some as emissaries, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as shepherds and teachers
12 for the perfecting of the set-apart ones, to the work of service to a building up of the body of the Messiah,
13 until we all come to the unity of the belief and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the completeness of Messiah,” Ephesians 4:7, 10-13
These gifts include being a teacher or shepherd of the congregation, or a prophet or evangelist. As it is written above, EVERYONE has been given this, not just men!
There are many other references in the Scriptures on this subject, although unfortunately few study it.
For example, how Paul shows the equality of women in the Master, and this is not about wives, but about women, because it is mentioned about giving birth to men and a woman will not give birth to her husband.
“11 However, man is not independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Master. 12For as the woman was from the man, even so the man also is through the woman. But all are from Elohim.” 1 Corinthians 11:11-12
A great verse summarizing this topic, is Galatians 3:27-28: “27 For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah. 28 There is not Yehuḏi nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah Yahusha.”
We bless you in Yahusha Messiah!
