Pastor devotions: The Gifts of Women

1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.

Usually I agree with what Paul has to write, but this is one area where we both part company. And before anyone says that I’m re-interpreting what Paul has been inspired to write, let me make it clear: Paul is stating his opinion here which is why he prefixes his statement with ‘this is what I want’. He is making a clear distinction between what God wants for the church and what Paul demands. 

I disagree with Paul because women have played important roles in the history of our faith and in the establishment of the Church itself. If we take time to read the Book of Acts and some more of Paul’s letters, we’ll come across the fact that the first churches met in houses and that the host was usually a woman of faith. I also remember every Easter that the women remained faithful to Christ as He died upon the Cross and they were the first to receive the Good News of His Resurrection. Since those women were the first recipients of the fullness of the Gospel, then they were blessed as being the first preachers and teachers of the New Testament. Paul may have preferred women to be silent and be given no authority, but it seems as though Christ didn’t make this distinction.

So how do we treat this part of Paul’s teaching from everything else that he writes? I think we do it candidly and receive it as his opinion, but not as dogma. Without women in the church, the Church would never have survived across the centuries. Without their leadership and authority today, we would not be open to the works and ways of the Holy Spirit. Therefore today, let’s give thanks to God for the spiritual women leaders in our churches.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for the women who lead our churches, who preach the Word, teach the Gospel, and continue Your mission. Thank You for the gifts of the Spirit which are not exclusive to one gender and for the authority of leadership that is not the sole dominion of one group. Continue to bless us with the gifts and the grace that women bring to Your Church throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Holy Week images called “Washed with Tears.” It depicts the woman who washed Christ’s feet with her hair and tears. If you would like to view a larger version of this drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4446465179_9742859bc5_b.jpg