Name: John Kadleck
Writing Style Used: Turabian
Course and Section Number: THEO 202 B18 LUO
Short Essay 3
The Role of Women in the Church
This essay will discuss the biblical definitions of elder and deacon, the role according to the bible
of women in the church and any limitations on the role of women in the church.
The biblical definition of what an elder should be can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1-13. They should
be trustworthy, above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober minded, self-controlled,
respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not violent or quarrelsome, manage his household well. It
also states that he must not be a recent convert or puffed up with conceit. The term elder, stresses
the dignity and position of this ministry in the church. The key duties of the elders could be
summarized as ruling and guiding the people in an orderly way.
The bible says that deacons must be dignified, not double tongued, not greedy, faithful in all
things and capable of managing their children and households well. These qualifications can also
be found in Titus 1: 5-9. Walter A. Elwell stated, “The word group surrounding diakoneo, to
serve initially referred to a waiter at a meal.” So the deacon is a servant of the church serving the
members on Christ’s behalf.
I believe that it is not appropriate for a woman to be a deacon or elder in the church. My basis for
this can be found in 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 and Genesis 3:16. In Corinthians Paul states “the
women should keep silent in churches and should be in submission, if there is anything they
desire to learn let them ask their husbands at home.” In Genesis 3 God says, “I will surely
multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for
your husband, and he shall rule over you.” So if a woman was in a position of authority over a
man in church then it would be contrary to God’s command that the husband should rule over the
woman. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the
wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the
church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands,
love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify
her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. (Ephesians 5:22-33) This being
said I take this calling very seriously it is not just a privilege granted by God to be the spiritual
leader but it is also a standard to live up to by the man. We will be judged accordingly in that role
if we abuse or neglect it.
I am sure that many women and even some men may disagree with my opinion on a woman’s
role in the church. It is apparent that not everyone interprets the scriptures this way because there
are women pastors, deacons and even elders in some churches. Some people have argued that
God is a woman. I would say to all of those arguments that you can interpret the scriptures any
way you would like but your interpretation of them doesn’t change what they say. Even Satan
knows and quotes scripture to try and deceive (Matthew 4:6), he tried to use the scripture against
Jesus. He delights in our misinterpretation of God’s word. He knows that God’s word is a sword
to use against him (Ephesians 6:17).
A woman does have a role in the church, even one of leadership. She is called to lead her
children and other women (Titus 2:3-5). In the workforce and in the church a woman’s role is
equal to a man’s and just as important, but they have very different roles that they are called to
perform. God made women to compliment men, she is his compassionate, nurturing half and he
is to be the protective servant of the woman. Jesus was the prime example of being a protective
servant (Ephesians 5:24-26).
Word count: [676]
Bibliography
Elwell, Walter A., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology 2nd Edition, Baker House (2001)
Holy Bible NIV, Zondervan (2001)
