1.14 The Role of Women in the Church (& Other Passages Describing the Attitude of Women)

Most of the teaching in the New Testament applies to men and women, with a few exceptions.
All of the verses on this page are passages that apply to women specifically. Several have corresponding passages that apply to men specifically. In the first section, there are three passages that show commands from God for all women in the church. In the second section, the passages describe wives specifically. I suspect that is why the two sections are separated here.. the top verses would have been things for me to apply and follow at the time, and the bottom would have been for the future. However, I appear to have realized that many of the attitudes that God commands for wives also apply to all women in the church.

• 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
• 34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
• 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
• 1 Timothy 2:9-12
• 9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments,
• 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
• 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
• 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
• Titus 2:3-5
• 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,
• 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
• 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

During worship (context of 1 Corinthians 14), the women are not to speak. This follows a section on preventing confusion in the assemblies - it seems the assembly at Corinth was allowing multiple people to talk, teach, and prophesy at once, often in multiple languages! God is not a God of confusion, and several rules for an orderly assembly were laid out, including these roles - men as worship leaders and women as followers and participants. 1 Timothy also addresses this - men are the leaders of spiritual instruction.

Women are also given special directions by God to focus on the appearance of their heart rather than their outward self. Our outward selves are to clothed properly, modestly, and discreetly, rather than improper or seductive clothing. I'm reminded of the daughters of Zion from Isaiah 3&4 - no amount of outward garments can create true beauty, but God can give true, spiritual beauty to those who follow Him with purified hearts.

• 1 Peter 3:1-6
• 1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
• 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
• 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;
• 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
• 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
• 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
• Ephesians 5:22-24
• 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
• 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
• 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
• Proverbs 14:1
• 1 The wise woman builds her house,
• But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

The role of women in the church is a reflection of the role of women in the home. Women submit joyfully to husbands, who are to love, lead, and care for them. This is a reflection of the church's subjection to Christ -the church submits joyfully to Christ, who loves, leads, and cares for it. If women pridefully distort this order, then the picture of submission to Christ is distorted. The church is not oppressed by choosing to be led by Jesus, and neither is a wife oppressed by choosing to be led by her husband. 

I did not (and still do not) have the role of a wife, so my understanding of submission comes from this image of Christ and the church, and from the examples of many Christian families that I know. I have also been taught about a woman's role in a Christian home by many faithful older women, so that my heart may be prepared to follow God's instructions if I do take on that role. Even without the jobs of wife and mother, I still train my heart to submit to God, Jesus, and the men who He has given authority to lead me. I am training myself to build up, rather than tear down. I am adorning my heart and spirit, rather than my outward self. I am seeking to humble my pride and independence into quietness and gentleness, so that others may see Christ living in me.

1.13 Bible Authority

As talks with friends continued, and differences between churches were noted, I clearly found a need to have scriptures to back up the idea that the church should follow only the commands of the Bible. This list grows quite a bit in the next book, with many studies touching on this point, but here I like that it is pared down to three references from John and one from 2 Timothy.

• John 12:49-50
• 49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.
• 50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
• 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
• John 8:38
• 38 “I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”
• John 14:10
• 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.

As Christians, we follow Jesus Christ. He is the founder and head of His church. However, He did not establish the church according to His ideas alone - the church is the result of God's great plan. Jesus said nothing on earth that did not come from the Father. Jesus's words are the words of God. God's words are complete and perfect! Jesus did not add to them, and neither should we. Our role is to do the things we have heard from our Father.  The scriptures are His inspired words, and they equip us with everything we need. If we need to teach someone about God, we should use His word. We should use it to correct ourselves and others, and to train children and new Christians to love and obey God. His commands bring eternal life. When we want to know how we should go about serving and worshiping God, how dare we go anywhere else than His word? Even Jesus, who had God abiding in Him, would not go beyond God's great plan.

1.12 No Homosexuality

Just one verse here. Don't worry, this list will be longer in the next notebook. Although it is an unpopular truth, the Bible is not silent or apologetic about the topic of homosexuality.

• 1 Corinthians 6:9[-11]
• 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
• 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
• 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

I added verses 10 and 11 for context. What do we demand of God to know His will? How many times does He have to say something for it to be true? Although this is not the only place the Bible speaks about sexual sin and homosexuality, should it take more than one time for us to know God's will? From this one passage, we see that the effeminate & homosexuals are counted among the unrighteous who will not inherit God's kingdom. Some of the Corinthians practiced these things (and other sins) before they came to Christ. Their sins, including the sin of homosexual practices, were washed away in the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They were sanctified and justified. They were practitioners of sin, but now they practice holiness - they have left behind these acts of unrighteousness.

God considers homosexuality to be unrighteous. He hates unrighteousness, and cannot be a part of it. If we practice unrighteousness, we separate ourselves from Him. God loves us, even when we practice sin - we know this because of His mercy and sacrifice, which He gave to sinners! He offers a way for us to put this sin away from us so that we can be holy, as He is holy, and be with Him.  We can then walk in His paths and live a life transformed for His glory.

1.11 Bridle the Tongue

Are you wondering why I keep pointing out the spelling errors in this notebook?  It's a dose of humility; I've prided myself on "intelligence" and precise grammar skills, but my ability did not merit that boasting. So even though "tounge" is a tricky word, it's not surprising that I kept my version of the spelling rather than checking the spelling in the very verses listed on the page. While we're on the grammar & style digression, it's also interesting to note that I stopped skipping lines on the middle of this page - not sure why, but it is after the original three verses that started the page.

Back to business.

The middle school context for "taming the tongue" is foul language & gossip. Curse words were no longer whispered at recess, but began to be vogue among the "cool kids" and even my own friends. Cursing showed that you were grown, that you didn't have to do everything you were told, that you knew about mature things and weren't afraid to show it. Gossip was a less obvious, but equally prevalent, vice - social information was a currency that could be traded for trust and social standing. "She's "going out" with him? They said what? I thought they were best friends... "

• James 1:26
• 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.
• James 3:4-12
• 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
• 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
• 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell
• 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
• 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
• 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
• 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
• 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
• 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
• Ephesians 4:29
• 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
• Colossians 3:8
• 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
• James 5:12
• 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
• Titus 3:2
• 2 [Remind them]to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
• 2 Timothy 2:16
• 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
• Ephesians 5:4
• 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
• Matthew 12:37
• 37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
• Matthew 15:11
• 11 “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
• Proverbs 14:3
• 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
• But the lips of the wise will protect them.

Gossip, lying, dirty jokes, and cursing have no place in the mouth of a follower of God. We should speak in a way that builds others up. We should speak with thanksgiving. We should speak according to the need of the moment. We should speak gently and peaceably, considering others. We should speak honestly, with no deceit. Our words will either justify and protect us, or defile and condemn us. 

Our words come from our heart. If our heart is focused on God and what is right, then our words will follow. A heart that dwells on filth will yield it. When we think highly of ourselves, it will show in our communication, and our communication will reveal how much we consider others. A heart that is always amazed by God will express itself with joy and thanksgiving! 

1.10 Sobriety

Being sober means being awake and alert, on watch, and in control. If you are sober, you are clear-headed. It also means "not drunk." As a middle school student, I heard many lessons on the dangers of alcohol and mind-altering substances. Based on this list, I very well may have thought that every time the word "sober" appears in the Bible, it was in the context of a warning against drunkenness. That context doesn't apply specifically to every one of these passages, but it could be inferred - you can't be awake, alert, or clear-headed if you are drunk!

• 1 Thessalonians 5:8
• 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
• The context here is a contrast to both sleeping and drinking.
• Ephesians 5:18
• 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
• This passage does not use the word "sober," but is about avoiding drunkenness. 
• 1 Peter 5:8
• 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
• This is after instructions to older and younger men. This passage does not seem to be referring to alcohol, just to an alert outlook.
• Notice the similarity of the numbers in these first three passages - chapter 5  of each book, verse 8 or 18. That could be a helpful mnemonic.
• Romans 13:13
• 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
• This is explicitly about drinking (& partying), exhorting us to use self-control
• Notice the connection with 1 Thessalonians that drunkenness belongs to the night - we are of the day!
• 1 Corinthians 6:10
• 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
• Although false teachers at Corinth were teaching that sins outside the body would not mar the spirit, Paul clarifies that fleshly acts do not lead to a Christian's inheritance, but rather their disinheritance.
• 1 Peter 1:13
• 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
• This is similar to the other verse from 1 Peter, which is encouraging a watchful spirit... here we add the idea of a prepared mind, ready to combat false teaching (1 Peter 3:15)

There are two general groups of context here. In First Peter, the idea is a watchful spirit, alert for the schemes of the devil. The other passages are all more explicitly connected to the meaning of sobriety as not being influenced by strong drink. The two are not unlinked, though - we are much more susceptible to a loss of self control, to the influence of Satan, if we are under the influence of alcohol! One of the main reasons for drinking is to be more comfortable in social situations, because alcohol loosens your inhibitions and allows you to do and say things that you would normally hold back. Allowing ourselves to let down our guard makes us an easy target for temptation. 

From these verses, we can see what God tells us about alcohol and drunkenness: 

1. It is associated with darkness and secrecy
2. It is improper behavior
3. It can cause us to lose our inheritance
4. It causes us to be unprepared to fight Satan
5. It is dissipation - a waste of our life, energy, resources, and opportunities

Satan wants us to think that alcohol:

1. Is associated with social status, popularity, and wealth
2. Is something that adults, celebrities, and politicians find normal & admirable
3. Is not that big of a deal
4. Is something we can "handle" or tolerate 
5. Is worth the time, money, and investment 

I've been blessed to have few first-hand encounters with alcohol. I can remember seeing it in fridges at friends' houses in middle school, though, so the opportunity was there. This teaching served me well. I remember hearing friends discuss it a little bit in high school, and explaining many times why I felt strongly about not drinking. As I sat in the lobbies of my college dorms, walked around campus during game day, and rode the night shuttle, I was exposed to much more of the effects of alcohol and carousing. I explained even more and more often why I did not want to drink. The sobriety mindset became a minority, and people thought my choice was bizarre. (1 Peter 4:4!)

 Now, as a young professional, I have actually been tempted to try a drink - the idealized glass of wine to relax after a long day. However, I know what God would want me to do, because He has made it clear - He wants me to be alert and sober-minded. He wants us to avoid the physical and spiritual consequences of not only being "wasted," but also being dulled in mind and weakened against Satan. If we think that we can allow ourselves to slip a little, we are underestimating Satan, and ignoring God's warning. Even though I am old enough to legally drink, I am not to use my earthly freedoms as a covering for sin. (1 Peter 2:16) I am not to cast my anxieties into a wineglass, but up in prayer to God, who alone can carry that burden. (1 Peter 5:7)  Rather than wander away into worldly wisdom and sins of the flesh, I am to draw near to the Good Shepherd, who alone can give me the care and comfort that I seek. (1 Peter 2:25) If I want to be near God, to be like Him, I must be holy, for He is Holy. (1 Peter 1:14-16)

1.9 Old Testament Obsolete

If you want to discuss instrumental music with your middle school friends, your case will seem much more convincing if you first learn to spell "obselete" correctly. Or so they tell me. There's not much on this page, but I remember starting it to try to explain to a friend why instruments were appropriate in Psalms but not in New Testament worship.

• Hebrews 8: 7, 13
• 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
• 13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.
• Galatians 3:24-25
• 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
• 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

A useful illustration to understand the passage in Hebrews is that of going car shopping. If you have a car that you use, that is your car. Once you begin discussing buying a new car, though, that first car begins to become the "old car". In Jeremiah, the new covenant is prophesied. As soon as a new covenant is mentioned, the first one becomes the "old covenant". The new covenant that was coming would be better - God's laws would be written on the hearts and minds of His people, rather than tablets of stone. God's people would know Him directly, and would come to His covenant of their own accord, rather than being born into it. The best part of the new covenant is that sins would no longer be remembered... true forgiveness would be possible. 

The old covenant teaches us about God. It teaches us about His power, His love, His mercy, His justice, His holiness, and His plan. His plan in the old covenant is a shadow - the new covenant reveals it fully. Now that faith (Christ) has come, we are no longer under the old covenant.

This means that we no longer offer sacrifices for our sins - Christ has been sacrificed for us. We no longer follow the purification rituals of the old covenant - we live a life that is purified by Christ's sacrifice and that is transformed as He fills our lives. We do not follow the justice rules of the old covenant - we imitate Christ as we seek peace with our brethren and the world, and leave justice to the Judgement.  

This also means that our worship practices have changed. We no longer go to the temple to pray - God lives in us, and Christ is the mediator. We are priests under the Great High Priest. We follow the examples and commands for worship in the New Testament. God did not have to go back and strike every command of the old law one by one - "thou shalt no longer burn incense, thou shalt no longer blow the trumpet at the feast of the new moon" - The whole old covenant was nailed to the cross and a new one begun. So how do we know how to worship God? We look at what was revealed by the Holy Spirit through the apostles. There are commands for worship of God to include assembly, breaking bread, singing, praying, and teaching, and examples for these as well. 

It's amazing how Christ changed everything. The old covenant has many shadows of the new that we understand only in retrospect. We are blessed with knowledge of God's revealed will. It's also amazing to think that this life is also a shadow- Heaven will be an even fuller revelation. God's plan, and God Himself, are truly worthy of praise!!