Conservative Christian View

• ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body. ³¹ “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ³³ However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Eph 5:22-33 ESV)

Colossians 3

• ¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Col 3:18-21 ESV)

1 Pet 3

• ¹ Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your respectful and pure conduct. ³ Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.⁷ Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Pet 3:1-7 ESV)

Titus 2

• ¹ But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. ² Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. (Tit 2:1-8 ESV)

1 Corinthians 11

• ³ But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Co 11:3 ESV)
• ⁸ For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. (1 Co 11:8-9 ESV)

Church

1 Timothy 2-3

• ¹¹ Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve; ¹⁴ and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Tim 2:11-14 ESV)
• ¹ The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? (1 Ti 3:1-5 ESV)
• …you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. (1 Ti 3:15 ESV)

1 Corinthians 4, 7, 11, 14

• ¹⁴ I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children…17to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. (1 Co 4:14-17b ESV)
• ¹⁷…This is my rule in all the churches (1 Co 7:17b ESV)
• ¹¹Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. (1 Co 11:11-12 ESV)
• ³³As in all the churches of the saints, ³⁴the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission” (1 Co 14:33b-34 ESV)

Genesis 2-3

• So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Ge 1:27 ESV)
• Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Ge 2:18 ESV)
• But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” (Ge 3:9 ESV)
• Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you. (Ge 3:16b ESV)
• …sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it. (Ge 4:7b ESV)

Conservative view insights and details:

• View 1: Only men can preach, teach, or lead ministries of the church that involve men
• View 2: Both men and women can preach, teach, or lead ministries of the church while under male authority (e.g., male senior pastor or male elder)
• View 3: Only men can preach, teach, or lead ministries that involve the full assembly of the church (e.g., Sunday service). Women under male authority (e.g., male senior pastor or male elder) can preach, teach, or lead in smaller settings (e.g., small group, privately at home, etc.).

References Readings

• Criticism: I don’t agree with what the bible says about the role of women
  • Response: The bible is the Word of God. Although we may disagree, we are called to obey. There are many things in the bible people do not agree, but that only confirms humanity’s rebellion to God and his truths.

• Criticism: Bible needs to change for modern times
  • Response: Principles of God are timeless. We should be submitting to the bible, not the other way around. Scripture should not submit to our personal beliefs or what the world or culture says. Some practices may change for modern times, but the fundamental underlying principles are eternal.

• Criticism: Aren’t you selectively choosing what to follow in the bible? For example, why aren’t you advocating animal sacrifices or abstaining from eating pork?
  • Response: Old Testament (OT) commands given specifically to the nation of Israel do not universally apply to the New Testament (NT) church. As a simple guideline, if a command is in the OT and repeated in the NT, it still applies. For example, honor your mother and father, do not murder, do not commit adultery are commanded in both the OT and NT. NT believers should still follow those commands.
    
    Animal sacrifices and not eating pork are not repeated in the NT. In fact, the NT explicitly says the opposite (Heb 10:1-10, Mt 15:1-20, 1 Co 8:1-13, 1 Co 10:25-33).
    
    The role of men and women is clearly defined in the NT and supported by the OT, particularly the order of creation and the fall.

• Criticism: What about all the women leading and teaching in the bible like Deborah, Priscilla, Phoebe, and so many others?
  • Response: The women often listed as examples of leaders or teachers are misrepresented or have significant contextual backgrounds that are ignored. They do not refute the principle of male leadership in the home and church that is consistently taught in scripture. Some prominent women listed as examples are discussed below.
  • Deborah was a judge in the OT. She stepped up to lead when the man who was called to lead, Barak, failed. This illustrates the consequences of failed male leadership, not an example to promote female leadership. OT narratives are not always directly transferrable to the NT. Even if Deborah was a leader for the nation of Israel during the time of the Judges, that does not refute the NT principle of male leadership in the family or the church.
  • Priscilla, a woman, is often cited as teaching Apollos, a man. Upon closer inspection of Acts 18-24-26, Priscilla and her husband Aquila are always cited together, and the wording of what they did was “explained the way of God more accurately.” Priscilla is not described as teaching Apollos or any other man alone. In addition, the Greek word for “explained” (ektithēmi) means to expound. This is not the same word for “teach” (didaskō) which is prohibited by Paul in 1 Tim 2:12. Didaskō implies public moral teaching similar in concept to preaching. There is debate on the difference between the Greek words. Nevertheless, Priscilla cannot be used as an example of a woman authoritatively teaching a man.
  • Phoebe is mentioned by Apostle Paul in Rom 16:1-2 as a servant and described as helpful. This is the only place she is mentioned in the entire bible. There is no indication she did any leading or teaching.

• Criticism: If bible defines distinct roles for men and women, shouldn’t we follow rules on head coverings and hair length? Isn’t it inconsistent to advocate male leadership, but not advocate women wearing hats and having long hair and men not wearing hats and having short hair?
  • Response: Paul’s discussion on head coverings and hair length in 1 Cor 11:1-15 demonstrates the importance of reading scripture in context to distinguish principles from practices. Headship (1 Co 11:4) and authority (1 Co 11:10) are timeless, transcultural principles supported by the order of creation (1 Co 11:8-9, 1 Ti 2:13-14).
  • Paul describes head coverings and hair length as outward practices to demonstrate the underlying principles of headship and authority. In that culture, a woman with her head uncovered or short hair was defying the headship of her husband or proclaiming herself a prostitute or immoral woman. A man with head covered or long hair was defying authority of Christ or proclaiming himself effeminate thereby defying his headship role as husband or revealing himself as immoral. Opinions differ on whether a “head covering” is a separate hat/veil or simply long hair (1 Co 11:15b)
  • Paul is simply saying to wives to submit to their husbands and symbolize his headship/authority with a head covering or long hair. Husbands show their submission to Christ and glorify Him by uncovering their head and not having long hair.
  • Most people believe head coverings and hair length were cultural to the first century and do not apply today. Others believe head coverings and hair length still apply today. Regardless of one’s views on hair length and head coverings, the principles of headship and authority are transcultural and timeless.

• Bottom line: Principles of scriptures are transcultural and timeless, but practices vary. Context is critical when interpreting passages that give external/physical guidance as opposed to internal/spiritual guidance. Note the variation allowed in all these practices given in the NT:
  • Eating: freedom to eat whatever, but be mindful of others
    • Jesus says “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Mt 15:11)
    • Paul says eating meat sacrificed to idols is not wrong or right. What’s more important is how it affects people’s conscience. (1 Co 8:4-13)
  • Sacred days: no day is more sacred than another, so celebrate or not unto God
    • “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath” (Col 2:16)
  • Circumcision and the law: no longer under OT law, so live in freedom
    • Jerusalem council said gentiles don’t need to be circumcised or follow Mosaic laws (Acts 15)
    • Paul preaches against circumcision and many other Mosaic laws (Gal)
  • Hairstyles, clothing, jewelry: focus on internal character not external appearances
    • Jesus criticized religious leaders in their flowing robes (Mk 12)
    • Paul and Peter emphasized internal character over external hairstyles and adornments (1 Ti 2:9, 1 Pe 3:2)
  • Examples above highlight underlying principles over external practices. Head coverings and hair length should be viewed in similar manner (1 Co 11:1-15)