The Role of Women in Public Worship
I Corinthians 11:1-16 and 1 Timothy 2:9-15
1. The responsibility for leadership in public worship is that of spiritual men (public prayer, reading of Scripture,
preaching, the Lord's table, and baptism), 1 Tim 2:8. Women are to remain silent in any manner of instruction
or leadership, I Cor. 14:34-36; 1 Tim. 2:11-15. The reason given by Paul is three-fold:
(1). That is the way God ordained the hierarchy from the beginning in creating Adam first as the head, and Eve
as taken from his side. The woman's subordination is not one of weakness but of order, I Tim. 2:13
(2). Eve being tempted fell at Satan's devices in the garden. She should have deferred to her husband Adam. Ever
since the Fall, the woman's sin nature would have her to rule, but nevertheless the man is still the head. See
Genesis 3:16. "Thy desire shall be to thy husband" means literally that she will always have the desire
to rule in her sin nature, but "he shall rule over thee."
(3). The way the church is organized with the man as the head of the woman is but a picture of Christ (the Head)
and the Church (the woman). This is also so in marriage, Eph. 5:21ff. Since the Church is to glorify Christ in
all things, even her organization as a body speaks of Him as the Head.
2. The rule of a woman not speaking in the assembly applies only in the matter of teaching or exercising authority
over the man (I Timothy 2:12). It does not mean that the woman is not to say anything at all by way of speaking
and fellowship. If that were the case, the woman would have to be silent from the time she set foot in the church
building, and not speak until she left. That is certainly not the intent of the rule. Nevertheless, all of our
conversation with each other, whether sharing prayer requests, or in fellowship and discussion of the Word after
the worship service should reflect an attitude of love and thanks for Christ and His Word, not jesting or debate
(Ephesians 5:4; I Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23).
3. The place of the woman is an attitude of quiet submission. This does not mean passivity. She has come
to worship and certainly is encouraged to participate in the congregation by singing with the grace of God from
the heart, being in an attitude of prayer, and hearing the Word with a submissive spirit as it is preached. The
believing woman is encouraged to "pray and prophecy" in following along prayerfully, singing with faith
from the heart (a form of prophesying- I Corinthians 10:5; I Samuel 19:23,24; 1 Chronicles 25:1-3), and agreeing
with the Word of God as it is preached and taught. This should be the attitude of both men and women in worship.
4. Appropriate dress is an outward reflection of our attitude in worship.
a. I Peter 3:3,4- Not with flamboyance to be seen of others.
b. I Corinthians 11:5-16- Women having their heads covered
(1). In Eastern culture, this was to be a literal covering such as a veil, because that was the norm for that particular
culture. Any woman who refused to wear a covering showed herself to be defiant and a shame to her husband.
(2). In countries where this is not the custom, there is still a covering for the woman's head as a sign of submission.
The woman's hair is given her for a covering (I Corinthians 1:15). She is to wear her hair in a manner that reflects
quietness of spirit and not freedom, boldness or superiority.