What does the Bible say about women pastors? There’s great debate among Christians regarding women ordained as pastors. Some believe that women should not be restricted from the office of a pastor. At the same time, others believe that women should not be allowed to be a pastor. We must scrutinize what the Bible says about women pastors to know the correct answer.
First of all, this is not an issue of sexism. This is about the correct interpretation of what the Bible says. The Bible must be our final authority, especially concerning matters regarding the church. This includes women pastors.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:11-12
The Bible clearly states that women should not teach and take a leadership position over men inside the church. Since the Bible is our final authority, this portion of the Scriptures must be enough to settle the debate over women pastors.
It is God’s design that a pastor must be a man.
1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
1 Timothy 3:1-2
Notice that the Apostle Paul uses the pronoun “he” in connection to the office of a bishop. God has a specific role for men and women inside the church. However, the pastorate is exclusively for men. This does not mean that men are more intelligent than women. Or that women are inferior to men. This is simply God’s design for the church to function.
God assigned women to the ministry but not as pastors.
The Bible shows us examples of God using women to accomplish His purpose. Huldah, Miriam, and Deborah were women God used to serve His purpose. They are beautiful examples of courage, faith, and obedience. However, God did not ordain them to be pastors.
Similarly, God also used faithful women in the New Testament. Phoebe was a willing servant ready to serve God’s purpose and people. Priscilla was a Bible teacher and, along with her husband, expounded the way of God more perfectly to Apollo. However, The Bible never mentions Phoebe or Priscilla as church pastors. They were both in the ministry, but they never usurped the office of a bishop.
The apostle Paul teaches that women can’t be pastors.
11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1 Timothy 2:11-14
Paul mentions that women can’t be pastors because Eve was deceived. The fall of man commenced when Eve usurped authority over Adam. It does not certainly mean that women are easily tempted compared to men. Paul said that when Eve usurped the authority over Adam, sin entered the world.
What Paul said may not be acceptable in our modern society. But the Bible must be our final authority. The Bible says that women can’t be pastors. That settles it!
There are no records of women pastors in the Bible.
The Bible shows us women who God significantly used. Miriam, Deborah, Esther, Lydia, Phoebe, Priscilla, and many more. They were willing to give their life for the cause of Christ just as much as the men. However, there’s no Bible record of women ordained as pastors.
The Lord Jesus Christ reproved the church in Thyatira for allowing a woman to usurp authority over the men. Christ called her “Jezebel” because she usurped authority like Queen Jezebel did in the Old Testament.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Revelation 2:20
Women are essential in the ministry.
A woman poured the ointment on the body of the Lord Jesus Christ even before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:6-13.) Aside from John the Beloved, women were at the feet of the cross when all the other disciples abandoned Christ. And in many parts of the New Testament, God extensively used women in the ministry.
Women, just like men, are called to minister in the church. Many women have the gift of teaching, helping, and hospitality. God uses both men and women in the ministry as he pleases.
We must all remember that serving Christ is never about the position. We serve Christ because we love Him. And the Lord Jesus Christ rewards our faithfulness, not our position in service.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:21
