By Edwin OgenioOver the years I have been asked the question many times whether women are allowed to teach in church or have a leadership position in church or ministry. Those who ask me this question usually ask because of the following scripture, which according to them is very confusing, since this scripture often has been used by religious leaders to justify the fact that women among other things should not be in church leadership position. Yet, there are many Christians who believe that it is perfectly fine to have women teaching or being the pastor of a church, but when they are asked to give a scriptural explanation by those who question it, they have a very hard time doing so.

Women should listen and learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was the woman, not Adam, who was deceived by Satan, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing and by continuing to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty. 1. Tim 2:11-15 NLT

Let’s clear out the misunderstanding! The apostle Paul who wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus did not forbid women from teaching. First of all, we know this because it was Paul who complimented and honored his co-worker in the ministry, Priscilla, who together with her husband Aquila, taught the preacher evangelist named Apollos.

Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had just arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord and talked to others with great enthusiasm and accuracy about Jesus. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:24-26 NLT

Greet Priscilla and Aquila. They have been co-workers in my ministry for Christ Jesus. In fact, they risked their lives for me. I am not the only one who is thankful to them; so are all the Gentile churches. Please give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Rom 16:3-5 NLT

To be continued…

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