Because we do not believe Paul would have contradicted himself, his approval of women’s ministry in God’s Word elsewhere confirms that 1 Timothy 2:9-15 cannot prohibit women’s ministry in all situations; rather, he addressed a particular situation.
Some have protested that women should not hold authority over men because men are the head of women. Aside from the many debates about the meaning of the Greek term “head” (for instance, some translate it “source” instead of “authority over”), Paul spoke only of the husband as head of his wife, not of the male gender as head of the female gender. As does scripture, we should affirm that the minister’s authority is inherent in the minister’s calling and ministry of the Word, not the minister’s person. In this case, gender should be irrelevant as a consideration for ministry—for us as it was for Paul.
Conclusion
Today, we should affirm those whom God calls, whether male or female, and encourage them in faithfully learning God’s Word. We need to affirm all potential laborers, both men and women, for the abundant harvest fields.
