Are Women Co-Equals in Messiah?

It has been our experience that tradition, prejudice, and ignorance over the past 2000+ years has minimized, and at times excluded, the woman’s role in serving God in the body of Messiah. One of the goals that we have seen in the modern Messianic movement has been to restore correct understanding of the teachings and examples of Yeshua, the Apostles, the matriarchs and the patriarchs. Why fall short when it comes to addressing the anti-women prejudice that may still exist with God’s people today?

There are many resources, historical and language tools, available that can help us more easily filter through generations of misinterpretations and the misuse of scripture. If properly used, these tools can tear down age old prejudices that did not exist in our Messiah Yeshua or the Holy One of Israel.

Our Creator intended for men and women to rule and reign together; not one dominating the other. It is clear in 1st Corinthians 12 that NO ONE but the Holy Spirit (Ruach haChodesh) can determine who, man or woman, will receive a particular spiritual gift.

HELLENISM INFILTRATES

As anti-Semitism (prejudice against the Jewish people) was, and still is, being perpetuated by lies and myths, prejudice against women follows a similar pattern. In her article, First Century Woman-Hellenic and Latin Influences on Western Views of Women, Jimmilea Berryhill states,

• “…Greek Hellenism had made great inroads into the nations, and the mixture of its philosophies did not escape the Roman subjects. In Veiled and Silenced, Alvin John Schmidt describes the setting: ‘Associating women with evil has been an age-old practice, deeply embedded in many cultures.’”

Ms. Berryhill goes on to quote men who impacted the thinking of their generation, as well as, succeeding societies through their writings concerning women:

• “The Greek poets were fond of equating woman with evil. Euripides (480-406 B.C.) has Hippolytus say: ‘Why hast thou given a home beneath the sun, Zeus, unto woman, specious curse to man?’ (Hippolytus 616-17 B.C.). Andromache, a woman who had internalized the values of men, comes to this conclusion: ‘Strange that God hath given to men slaves for the venom of all creeping pests, but none hath ever yet devised a balm for venomous woman, worse than fire or viper’ (Andromache 269-73; Lysistrata 10-11).

• Among the Romans, we find Tacitus (first century A.D.) picturing women as dominating and cruel (Annuals 3.33). Seneca, a philosopher and statesman, saw human anger as a womanish and childish weakness (Delra 1.19.3)…The ancient agrarian males were convinced that woman was responsible for introducing evil into man’s world.

• Aristotle defined women as biologically inferior in this way: ‘The female is, as it were, a deformed male’ (Generation of Animals 2.737a:27), and his mentor Plato (427?-347 B.C.), resorting to his reincarnation beliefs presented his case as follows: ‘Men who proved themselves cowardly and spent their lives in wrong doing were transformed, at their second incarnation, into women’ (Timaeus 91a). In a similar manner, Hippocrates, almost 100 years before Aristotle, contended the male fetus began movement in his mother’s womb at three months after conception, whereas the female fetus moved later, at four months. Even five hundred years later, Galen, who had a great influence on Western biological and medical thought said: ‘The female is less perfect than the male’ (On the Usefulness of the Parts of the Body 14.6-7).

• Tertullian (another of the founding ‘fathers’ of Roman Catholicism) called women ‘the devil’s gateway’; Epiphanius (another founding ‘father’ of Roman Catholicism) called women ‘a feeble race, untrustworthy, and of mediocre intelligence’” (Danielou, p. 25)

IN THE BEGINNING

Genesis 1:27-28 states:

• “And thus Elohim (God) created man in His form. In the form of Elohim, He created him, male and female, He created them. Elohim blessed them, and Elohim said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it, and dominate the fish of the sea, the birds of the heaven, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.’” (Hebrew Chumash translation)

It is clear that God gave men and women equal roles in ruling over creation. No boss/secretary relationship or a woman being placed beneath a man exists in these verses.

Genesis 2:18 states that woman was created as a “help mate.” What does this mean?

• “And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help mate for him.”

Here is the Literal Translation using Christian scholar, Dr. Strong, concordance:

• |0559| And said |3068| YHVH |0430| God, |3808| not |2896| it is good |1961| being of |0120| the man |0905| alone. |6013| I will make |0000| for him |5828| a helper |5048| corresponding to him.

Frank Daniels in his The Role of Woman in the Church states,

• “The Hebrew word translated ‘helper’ is used 21 times in the Hebrew Bible (Older Covenant): 20 of these cases refer to help from a superior. In fact, 16 of the 21 refer to God (such as Exodus 18:4, 1 Sam 7:12; Ps 121:1-2, Ps 27:9, Ps 94:17, and Ps 146:5). Thus, there is nothing at creation that would subjugate women to men. The use of ‘suitable helper’ to describe Eve actually implies a spiritual partnership between the husband and wife. Adam needed help, and help was provided.”

The Hebrew word translated as “corresponding to him” (Strong’s #5048) is “neged:”

• from HSN5046; a front, i.e. part, opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before.

Nowhere in this definition do you see the word “under or subjection to.” Together, man and woman are to form a whole, serving the Creator as “ONE.” In Gen 1:27,

• “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Another traditional misunderstanding that is held “over a woman’s head” is that all women are cursed because of what Eve did in the Garden of Eden. This is not true. Genesis 3:16 states:

• “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.’”

This verse only applies to Eve. It is not our Heavenly Father’s nature to punish others for someone else’s individual sin!

Ezekiel 18:18-20:

• “As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity. Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”

2 Kings 14:5-6:

• “And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father. But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the Lord commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.”

Adam and Eve were co-participants in their decision: (Gen 3:6; Rom 5:12-21; 1Cor 15:21-22). Gen 3:6 states,

• “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

If anyone is to be blamed, it should be Adam! Paul agrees. He said in Romans 5:14:

• “Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.’

GOD’S TORAH (LAW) WAS GIVEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

Deuteronomy 31:11-12,

• "Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this Law."

Nehemiah 8:1-3,

• “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man…And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding…And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the Law..."

Acts 16:13-15,

• “And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay. So she persuaded us.”

Acts 17:10-12,

• “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the [Jewish synagogue]. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.”

WOMEN AND THE TABERNACLE

Ex 35: 4-29, “And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying: 'Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord…They came, both men and women…All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats' hair…all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the Lord, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.”

The Temple priests had wives who also served at the Tabernacle and the Temple:

• “And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking-glasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Exodus 38:8)

• “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (1 Samuel 2:22)

The place where the women assembled was the altar of burnt offerings and the laver. This is where the offerings were slaughtered and eaten; where the priest were consecrated and lived for seven days after consecration; and where the Nazarites shaved their heads. These women were not just hanging out! They were serving:

• “And to the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting” (Numbers 18:21-22).

Others were not allowed to come near: "And the children of Israel shall not come near the tent of meeting again, lest they bear sin and die."

• “The context shows this passage to be speaking of women...women engaged in ‘service’ at the tent (or tabernacle). The word ‘served’ used to describe the women who ministered at the door is only applied to military service or tabernacle or temple service. The Hebrew word is used to designate the service of only one class of Tabernacle servants: the Levites, the family of the priesthood.” (The Role of Woman in the Church, by Frank Daniels)

WOMEN LEADERS IN THE BIBLE (TENACH)

Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron, was one of the three leaders of Israel. With these three, we see the whole leadership team: Prophet, Priest, and King.

• “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: "Sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!” (Exodus 15:20-21)

• “For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” (Micah 6:4)

Deborah: Judge of Israel, Prophetess, and Song Writer:

• “And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord…And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak…said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? (Judges 4:3-7)

• “Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: "When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!...Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. My heart is with the rulers of Israel Who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the Lord!..There they shall recount the righteous acts of the Lord, The righteous acts for His villagers in Israel; Then the people of the Lord shall go down to the gates. "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away…” (Judges 5:1-13)

Huldah, Prophetess:

• “Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest…"Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah…So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess... (She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter.) And they spoke with her. Then she said to them, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel, 'Tell the man who sent you to Me, "Thus says the Lord…My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched.' But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, 'Thus says the Lord God of Israel…” (2 Kings 22:11-20)

Noadiah, Prophetess:

• “Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.” (Nehemiah 6:13-14)

WOMEN IN THE APOSTOLIC WRITINGS (NEW COVENANT)

Women were a major part of Yeshua Messiah’s life.

• “The coming of Yeshua brought a reformation of restoration to the original intents of the Torah. Yeshua elevated women to equality with men so that they could sit among the talmudim (disciples) ‘at his feet’ and be covered with the dust of their Rabbi and Lord. Though some Christian theologians of subsequent centuries have suggested that it is not fitting and proper that a woman should ‘carry the Word of God,’ he arranged it so that one woman carried the Word for nine months before anyone else saw him! Then, in another twist of irony, he also provided that the first evangelist to proclaim the good news of the resurrection was a woman, and a redeemed prostitute at that! Paul encapsulated the Christ position regarding women in Christian service: ‘There is . . .neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Yeshua. And if ye be Christ’s then are ye . . . heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:28). Men and women share equal rights to inherit the promises, blessings, anointings, and appointments of God’s kingdom. (The Bibical Woman - Lessons for Today’s Church from Its Hebraic Heritage, John D. Garr, Ph.D.)

We read of “the prophetess Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38)

YESHUA AND WOMEN IN PUBLIC

• “Now Jacob's well was there. Yeshua therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Yeshua said to her, "Give Me a drink." For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Yeshua answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." (John 4:6-10)

This woman became a witness to other men and women in her community:

• “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. (John 4:39)

Some of the Rabbis during Yeshua’s day would not have permitted this:

• "Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman...Whoever teaches his daughter the Torah is like one who teaches her obscenity." Mishnah Sota 3:4, Rabbi Eliezer

This attitude toward women still exists today in both Judaism and Christianity. It was not the practice of Yeshua, and should not be ours either! Also, Yeshua did not avoid women in the congregations. He met their needs equally and physically touched them. In Luke 13:10-16,

• “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Yehsua saw her, He called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And He laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation…And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”

Some of Yeshua’s contemporaries taught that women were not qualified to bear public witness:

• Baba Kamma 88a declares, "Though the woman is subject to the commandments, she is disqualified from giving evidence."

Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, states in Antiquities 4,219:

• "Let not the testimony of women be admitted because of the levity and boldness of their sex."

WOMEN WERE THE LAST TO LEAVE YESHUA’S SIDE AT DEATH AND THE FIRST TO WITNESS HIS RESURRECTION

God chose a woman, Mary Magdalene, to be the first witness of Yeshua’s resurrection (Luke 14:1-10). The God of Abraham speaks through His women to men:

• “Yeshua saith unto her, Miriam (Mary). She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Yeshua saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Miram Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” (John 20:16-18)

Mary Magdalene was sent as an apostle to His disciples to tell them of the Good news of Yeshua’s resurrection.

• “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Yeshua, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead…And they departed quickly…with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word.” (Matt. 28:5-28)

PENTECOST (SHAVUOT) – RUACH (SPIRIT) IS GIVEN TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

Acts 2:17-18:

• “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy…”

Acts 1:12-14:

• “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John...These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Miriam the mother of Yeshua, and with his brethren.”

WOMEN DISCIPLES (TAUGHT ONES)

The great commission is not gender specific. All, both women and men, are commanded to go and make disciples. It is impossible to disciple someone without teaching them something. The concept of discipleship in Yeshua’s time was one walking and talking just like the one who taught them. To speak their words, teach their customs and traditions, to emulate them. Paul taught this in 1 Cor. 11:1, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Messiah.”

In Acts 9:36, we read of a woman called a disciple:

• “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.”

In Acts 18:24-26 we see a married couple, Priscilla and Aquila, where both the woman and man acted in the role of teacher to a man from Alexandria, called Apollos. Various translations of the Bible imply that they taught him in the synagogue (Amplified Bible, King James Version, Rheims, New American Standard, New American, New Revised Standard).

Without examining everything Paul says about the women in his life, it is hard to gain a correct understanding of the few sections in his letters where it appears, he is preventing women from using their God-given gift to teach men. Let us see what Paul says about these women.

Paul said of Priscilla:

• “Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Messiah Yeshua.” Romans 16:3 (KJV)

• “Priscilla and Aquila my fellow workers in Messiah Yeshua” Romans 16:3 (NIV)

Craig S. Keener in Paul, Women and Wives. (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1992) states,

• "Priscilla and her husband are mentioned three times in the book of Acts and three times in Paul’s letters. Priscilla’s name is listed first in four of the six. In ancient times, it was customary to list the husband’s name first unless the wife was from a higher social status."

We believe Paul listed Priscilla first because of her lead role in their ministry. Other Bible translations refer to Priscilla as a “co-worker.” The original Greek word is “synergoi.” It literally means “fellow worker” or “colleague.” Paul is not placing this woman beneath him but addressing her as an equal. She was also Aquila’s equal.

Paul said of Junia:

• “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Romans 16:7 (KJV)

Here, Paul refers to a female apostle named “Junia.” The Amplified Bible translates this passage as:

• “…they are men held in high esteem among the apostles.”

However, as seen below, in the literal translation Strong’s, the reference to them both being men does not appear in the original Greek text. The word “men” or “kinsmen” was inserted by the translators. The word “relatives” is gender neutral:

• 0782| Greet |0408| Andronicus |2532| and |2458| Junias, |3588| the |4773| relatives |3450| of me |2532| and |4869| fellow-prisoners |3450| of me, |3748| who |1526| are |1978| notable |1722| among |3588| the |0652| apostles, |3739| who |2532| and |4253| before |1700| me |1096| have been |1722| in |5547| Christ.

As well, many translations, including the Amplified Bible, Rheims New Testament, New American Standard Bible, and the New International Version add the letter “s” to make this name masculine.

• “Some dispute this name as being masculine not feminine. But it is well-attested as a feminine name of this time period. The Church Fathers through the fourth century recognized it as a feminine name. In the 13th-14th century the name was masculinized. However, none of the early Greek manuscripts have this masculine form. The masculinization of the name was done because the Church felt women could not be apostles. But the text does not confirm this. Others would try to say that Junia is not a real apostle stating that the term apostle is not only a designation for a specific leadership position but could also refer to being sent out as part of a team. Apostle comes from the Greek word apostalos which has the basic meaning "to send." However, of all the times this noun is used it is only translated once as "one who is sent." The term is used over a dozen times to refer to Paul. It is used specifically of Peter (1 Peter 1.1), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2.25) and the twelve apostles in general. When referring to specific men, it is never interpreted as anything except a leadership position. In Romans 16.7 there is no reason to interpret it differently. Also, Paul does not just list her as an apostle but states that she is ‘outstanding among the apostles.’” (Women in Leadership: A Biblical Perspective by Carol Calise)

• “No where in history is there an example of a man ever bearing the name Junia!! There are a few who believe that Romans 16:7 means that the apostles found this woman to be an outstanding woman, but disbelieve that it meant she was an apostle. However, all the references mentioned assure us that the correct understanding is that this woman was an apostle and that she did the work of an evangelist in spreading the Gospel to both men and women.” (Women in Leadership, John H. Currier)

Paul said of Phoebe in Romans 16:1-3:

• “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the assembly in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of…”

• “Romans 16.1,3 Phoebe is mentioned as the leader of the congregation in Cenchrea. The Greek word used here is diakonos (deacon). This word is used twenty- two times in the New Covenant. It is used of Timothy, Epaphras, Tychichus and even Paul himself. When referring to a man, it is translated as deacon or minister. Only when it is attributed to Phoebe is it watered down and translated as servant. Yet, there is no doubt that this term is a designation for a leadership position. Once again, there is nothing in the text to suggest that Phoebe's role was any different from the men who were given this title. In this position, she taught Scriptures and performed other leadership responsibilities in the same manner as Timothy or Epaphras.” (Women In Leadership: A Biblical Perspective, by Carol Calise)

EUODIAS AND SYNTYCHE

Paul speaks of other women who “labored with him,” not under him, in Philippians 4:2-3,

• “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.”

• “In Philippians 4.2,3 Paul speaks of two women who contended at his side for the sake of the Gospel and says they are part of his "fellow workers" along with Clement. The Greek phrase is ton loipwn sunergon mou. The Greek word sunergon is used thirteen times in the New Covenant. Ten of those times it is used by Paul to refer to a specific person, i.e., Timothy (Romans 16.21, 1 Thessalonians 3.2), Titus (2 Corinthians 8.23, Epaphroditus (Philippians 2.25), etc. The men whom Paul uses this term of are certainly considered to be ministers of the Gospel and leaders in the body of Messiah. In fact, one scholar states that Paul "honored his companions by using this and similar terms thereby consolidating their authority in the churches." (Bertram, 874) There is nothing in the text to indicate that he meant anything different when speaking of these women. Using this phrase of these women confirmed their authority to the congregation at Philippi.” (Women In Leadership: A Biblical Perspective by Carol Calise)

PAUL FIGHTS PAGAN INFLUENCES

As we said at the beginning, to interpret Paul’s writings, it is essential to understand the historical setting and environment in which the establishment of a congregation was taking place. Please keep in mind that Paul was dealing with individual people and specific situations, as was the case in Ephesus. Paul was fighting against, as we still do today, pagan doctrines and teachings. We know that Ephesus was:

• Located at the intersection of major trade routes; ranked with Rome, Corinth, etc.

• Home of a pagan temple dedicated to Roman goddess Diana (Greek: Artemis). It was one of the seven wonders of the world. Diana was the women goddess who protected women during childbirth

• They believed that they were founded by Amazon women (superior to men)

• This is where Paul encountered the idol-maker silversmith–hurt his souvenir business

Ephesus was a place where their main religion promoted women’s superiority over men. This is in direct opposition of biblical teaching where neither men nor women are to dominate the other.

With this background on the cultural times, let us take a word-by-word look at 1 Tim. 2:11-12. Dianne McDonnell in her paper A Church with Women, explains these verses and writes:

• “Paul praises many women active in teaching both men and women. The one Scripture that was believed to forbid a woman from fully serving her Savior is misunderstood and probably mistranslated....The original order of 1 Timothy 2:11-12 is literally translated word by word (just as Paul wrote it):

Literal Translation: “Woman in quietness I let learn with all submission to teach, but (a) wife I not permit not even to dominate a husband, but to be in quietness.”

KJV Translation: "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence."

To reinforce Dianne McDonnell’s position above, Carol Calise writes in her article, Women In Leadership: A Biblical Perspective:

• “The Greek word used here is authentein. This is the only time it is used in the New Covenant Scriptures. It has a connotation of domineering or usurping authority. It also has been translated as "to kill or murder." (Scholer, 204) Most English translations do not convey this meaning. The word used normally in the New Covenant for authority is ekousia. So, it is obvious that Paul has something specific in mind by using this unique word.”

So, who is Paul addressing in these verses? We believe he is speaking to wives who were formally “Amazon myth-followers.” They may have still held to their myths and teachings of Diana, which taught domination over men. It is no different today as people leave cults and bring their previous doctrines into congregations.

Carol Calise is correct when she says,

• “The issue is not merely teaching or having authority but rather abusing authority. Paul would say the same to men. Usurping authority is not Messiah-like whether it be a male or female doing it.”

IN ANOTHER PAGAN CITY

Paul states in 1 Cor. 11:5,

• “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head...”

In the “Role of Women in Scripture,” Ellen Kavanaugh says,

• “Obviously, women teach when they reveal prophesies G-d has sent them. If women were forbidden to teach in an assembly or to any man, then it would be silly for G-d to reveal anything to them -- because they wouldn't be able to share it! Certainly, among the witnesses were many women. And note these witnesses (and those who have heard these witnesses) are to teach faithful 'men' the gospel. ('Men' here is anthropos meaning a generic 'human' or 'mankind,' not like arsen/arren meaning only 'male').”

1 CORINTHIANS 14:31-35

We know from the Scripture that we have examined so far, that BOTH men and women are to prophesy. They both prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, the Apostolic Writings, and will continue today.

This statement by Paul would not be consistent with what we know about Paul and what he says in his other letters. Therefore, he must be addressing a specific situation.

• “For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.”

Paul in 1 Cor. 11:5 recognizes that women have and use the gift of prophesy. And, he states above: “For you can all prophesy…”

If we take these verses out of context, as most do, then it says that only the “married women” are restricted from having this gift; single women can still prophesy. This really doesn’t make sense!

It is clear by the proceeding verses that men and women were both prophesying in the congregation. While this was occurring, perhaps some of the married women were speaking out loudly, causing confusion. Maybe they were some who had left the “Amazon” women cults. Thus, he was addressing a specific problem in a specific culture. This is not applicable to all women at all times. Proper order of worship is that neither men nor women are allowed to disrupt worship and cause confusion.

More on the historical setting:

• “…in the pagan temples in Corinth it was customary for women to call out and to speak loudly for they were considered mediums between men and the gods. The dress of the pagan women, ornamented with much jewelry, and imitating the "Temple Maidens," who in truth were prostitutes, could have indeed been the women to whom Paul was addressing. It’s felt that some of these pagan converts were still using their form of religion within the Church of God at Corinth and therefore leading some outside the church to not be able to distinguish between the pagans and the Christians. This could explain the possible questions that Paul was replying to. Remember that we only have the answers to the questions that Paul is answering and not the questions! And, Paul never knew his letters were going to be used by everyone as "Gospel" to cover all churches, when he wrote this letter only to the church in Corinth. However, there are those who would say that God knew Paul’s letters would be used as part of the Gospel. That still does not mean that Paul’s letters were meant for all churches at all times! Just as the letters to the seven churches in Revelation don’t apply to all the churches all the time.” (Women in Leadership, John H. Currier)

IN CLOSING

We believe that we have clearly shown, with the help of many who have addressed this issue before us, that the bible of the God of Israel clearly shows that women have been leaders, prophets, teachers, evangelists, colleagues, students, wives, mothers, etc., from the beginning of time. The Holy One of Israel has not changed and He made both man AND woman in His image. In the Hebrew culture, both men and women are respected and honored.

We must not allow personal prejudices, false teaching, and male egos to bias our interpretation of Scripture. We must not take out-of-context the letters written by Paul nearly 2000 years ago where he addressed specific congregational problems. If we do, we will all suffer, our congregations will suffer, and we will grieve the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh). We believe it is not God’s will that gifted women remain frustrated and unfulfilled in their desire to serve their Master Yeshua and His body.