THE BIBLE-TEACHING MINISTRY OF CHARLES R. SWINDOLL
About Us
|
Contact Us
|
Change Location
Search for:
Listen
Current Broadcast
Broadcast Library
Searching the Scriptures Studies
Broadcast Schedule
Weekend Message
Full Broadcast Series
Find a Station
Insight for Living Broadcasts
Mobile App
Resources
Daily Devotional
Insights Appeal Letter
Insights Newsletter
Insights - Bible
Insights Topics
Store
Free Gift
About Us
Overview
Charles R Swindoll
Essential Beliefs
Contact Us
Contact Details
Sign up for e-News
Donate
Resources
Resources
Daily Devotional
Insights Appeal Letter
Insights Newsletter
Insights - Bible
Insights Topics
Women Elders, No. Women Deacons, Yes
Women Elders, No. Women Deacons, Yes
by Derrick G. Jeter
Paul made it clear that within the confines of the faith community, women were not permitted "to teach or exercise [spiritual] authority over a man" (
1 Timothy 2:12
). And because this was a primary responsibility of overseers (3:2, 5), the clear implication is that women are to be excluded from serving in that office. But does this mean women are excluded from all official positions within the church?
First Timothy 3:8–10
,
12
refers to the qualifications of
male
deacons, but verse 11 seems to refer to the qualifications of
female
deacons. "Women must likewise be dignified." What are we to make of this reference? Scholars are divided on how best to interpret verse 11, offering three alternatives.
First
,
the verse refers to women in general
. This seems unlikely because Paul already made a universal statement about women in the congregation (2:9–15). Sandwiching a general comment in the middle of a specific list regarding deacons seems schizophrenic.
Second
,
the verse refers to the wives of deacons (or perhaps to all church leaders, including overseers)
. The Greek noun
gyne
can be translated "wives" or "women," depending on the context. According to some interpreters, Paul was speaking about the wives of men in church leadership, because they serve alongside their husbands. However, this view has its problems. The possessive pronoun
their
—as in, "their wives"—appears nowhere in the original language. Paul took care to identify his subjects in other places; it would be out of character, therefore, for him to be ambiguous here. And the phrasing of verse 11 parallels verse 8 almost exactly, especially with the use of the word
likewise
, indicating that
women
and
deacons
are synonymous (and not a reference to deacons' or overseers' wives).
Third
,
the verse refers to women who serve as deacons—deaconesses
. This interpretation makes better sense of the parallels between
1 Timothy 3:8
and
11
. This view also makes sense because in the early church deacons didn't exercise spiritual authority over the church; deacons served the congregation. Furthermore, this interpretation better fits the context—that deaconesses, like deacons, must demonstrate godly character. Specifically, deaconesses are to be women of respect, honesty, self-control, and trustworthiness.
Excerpt taken from
Excellence in Ministry: Starting Strong—Doing What's Right in the Work of Ministry Bible Companion
by Charles R. Swindoll and Insight for Living Ministries. Copyright © 1983–2015 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author: Derrick G. Jeter
Derrick G. Jeter holds a master of theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and served as a writer for the Creative Ministries Department of Insight for Living Ministries. He has authored or co-authored more than twenty-five books. Derrick's writing has appeared on influential Web sites, and he is a contributing writer for
The Christian Post
. He and his wife, Christy, have five children and live in the Dallas area. He blogs at www.DerrickJeter.com.