Answering the old age question, are women allowed to preach in churches?
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 KJV
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
If there is any scripture that has been taken out of context, it is
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 KJV. Not only taken out of context but the doctrine of men/devils and not of God has been formed from it. Over the years, many have been led to believe and practice the erroneous doctrine that women should not be allowed to be ordained, be pastors, preach, stand on the pulpit in churches… or that they cannot have a headship calling.
This doctrine has led to the discouragement of many women with a calling from God – being limited or frustrated in their efforts to fulfil the calling of God. Conversely, where women with authentic callings have been allowed to blossom, the Kingdom of God advanced. Glory be to God!
To fully understand what Paul was alluding to when he said, “Let your women keep silence in the churches”, read the whole of 1 Corinthians 14.
There were issues with the Church in Corinth:
- A lot of Zeal but with disorderliness.
- People were trying to show off spiritual gifts of prophecy and interpretation, but they were not taking turns. There was no harmonisation.
- They were chaotic and noisy and were causing distractions with their uncoordinated actions.
- The primary culprits were the women of the Corinthian Church. Whilst Church was in session; they would probably speak louder than everyone else to be heard, asking what did that person just say? What does that thing mean? Why is this, and what is that? Their actions caused interruption and further disruption to a Service flow that was already problematic.
So what did Paul do about it? He gave them counsel. A guideline on behaving appropriately in Church whilst the gifts of the Spirit were in operation. And to the main culprits, the noisy, troublesome and brash women of Corinthian Church, he gave instruction for them to be silent whilst in the church if they have questions about whatever is going on rather than wanting to find out things from their husbands during service, causing a distraction by doing that – ask whatever you may when you get home; but whilst in Church, listen and benefit from the divine ministrations (this counsel also was in alignment with their local law).
This was not a general instruction but a specific instruction and counsel to address a particular situation. Paul never said women had no calling from God or that they could not be pastors or preachers, as some have come to erroneously strongly believe and passed down as a doctrine from one generation to the next.
I like how The Passion Translation laid it out:
1 Corinthians 14:33-35, 39 TPT
“For God is the God of harmony, not confusion, as is the pattern in all the churches of God’s holy believers. The women should be respectfully silent during the evaluation of prophecy in the meetings. They are not allowed to interrupt, but are to be in a support role, as, in fact, the law teaches. If they want to inquire about something, let them ask their husbands when they get home, for a woman embarrasses herself when she constantly interrupts the church meeting. So, beloved friends, with all this in mind, be passionate to prophesy and don’t forbid anyone from speaking in tongues,”
When studying the Bible, it is essential to look at the context and not just focus on excerpts alone to get the fuller meaning. It also helps to check other translations of the Bible.
1 Timothy 2:9-12 TPT
“And that the women would also pray with clean hearts, dressed appropriately and adorned modestly and sensibly, not flaunting their wealth. But they should be recognized instead by their beautiful deeds of kindness, suitable as one who worships God. Let the women who are new converts be willing to learn with all submission to their leaders and not speak out of turn. I don’t advocate that the newly converted women be the teachers in the church, assuming authority over the men, but to live in peace.”
The above scripture applies to newly converted women. And I say by experience when dealing with new converts, never rush them into leadership, male or female.
In fact, Paul recognised, appreciated and celebrated women in ministry.
Romans 16:1-3, 7, 12, 17-20 TPT
“Now, let me introduce to you our dear and beloved sister in the faith, Phoebe, a shining minister of the church in Cenchrea. I am sending her with this letter and ask that you shower her with your hospitality when she arrives. Embrace her with honour, as is fitting for one who belongs to the Lord and is set apart for him. So provide her whatever she may need, for she’s been a great leader and champion for many—I know, for she’s been that for even me! Give my love to Prisca and Aquila, my partners in ministry serving the Anointed One, Jesus, Make sure that my relatives Andronicus and Junia are honoured, for they’re my fellow captives who bear the distinctive mark of being outstanding and well-known apostles, and who were joined into the Anointed One before me. Please greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, for they are women who have diligently served the Lord. To Persis, who is much loved and faithful in her ministry for the Lord, I send my greetings. And now, dear brothers and sisters, I’d like to give one final word of caution: Watch out for those who cause divisions and offenses among you. When they antagonize you by speaking of things that are contrary to the teachings that you’ve received, don’t be caught in their snare! For people like this are not truly serving the Lord, our Messiah, but are being driven by their own desires for a following. Utilizing their smooth words and well-rehearsed blessings, they seek to deceive the hearts of innocent ones. I’m so happy when I think of you, because everyone knows the testimony of your deep commitment of faith. So I want you to become scholars of all that is good and beautiful, and stay pure and innocent when it comes to evil. And the God of peace will swiftly pound Satan to a pulp under your feet! And the wonderful favour of our Lord Jesus will surround you.”
Women have been pivotal in Church ministry and Kingdom operation and advancement from the Bible times till date.
In Luke 8:1–3, we learn that Jesus and the disciples had patrons, and they were often wealthy women. Luke tells us Joanna and Susanna were among “many others” who “provided for them out of their means” (Luke 8:3).
Similarly, Paul’s ministry was financed by women (Romans 16:2). A deaconess named Phoebe is identified as Paul’s “patron” (ESV), or “benefactor” (NIV), a term that literally means defender or protector. She also used her money and influence to help the missionaries fulfil their calling. Others—like Prisca (Romans 16:5) and Lydia (Acts 16:14)—volunteered their homes. These remarkable and brave sisters are rarely mentioned. But it’s clear that God entrusts wealth to women, and they can joyfully utilize it in support of the gospel.
Several men worked diligently with Paul, but many women did too. They are “workers in the Lord” such as Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis “who has worked hard in the Lord” (Romans 16:6, 12). Going a step further, Priscilla and Aquila were essential partners, left behind to maintain the church when Paul departed for a different city (Acts 18).
Some women have the gift of teaching, deploying it in prudent and acceptable ways to certain audiences in the church. In Luke 2:38, Anna the prophetess is introduced as a woman who served the Lord by staying in the temple and worshiping. She would also teach the people, and “to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Also noteworthy were the four daughters of Philip, who also prophesied (Acts 21:9). A “prophet” in the biblical sense, is a truth-teller delivering God’s message to the world — in other words, a preacher.
Earlier in Luke’s Gospel, Mary sings a theologically rich song in Luke 1:46–55 that has become a source of constant encouragement and teaching for the church. Timothy received training from his godly grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice in the doctrines of the faith (2 Timothy 1:5). We know this at least meant instruction in “the sacred writings” which made him “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Mature women who can serve, teach, and disciple are essential in any healthy church. Sometimes, women like Priscilla are even used by God to help influential men like Apollos and “explain the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
Even though Philippians 4:2–3 is an admonition, Paul is clear that both Euodia and Syntyche “labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers.” This was evangelistic effort, and one that bore fruit through the faithfulness of these women.
To this number we can add Lydia, and even the woman at the well from Samaria as the first to bring the gospel to their own family and towns. One of the most profound examples is Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus chose to be the first to witness his resurrection. She was entrusted with bringing the good news to the disciples that first Easter morning (John 20:18).
Romans 16:3–4 mentions Priscilla and Aquila again, this time as “fellow workers” who “risked their necks” for the gospel. This is followed by a commendation of Junia in 16:7, who worked so closely with Paul that she suffered as a “fellow prisoner.” That’s extreme commitment, and it proves that Paul didn’t mind having women at his side during a dangerous mission for the gospel. He ends Romans with warm and personal greetings, deeply thankful for the service and sacrifice of women.
Even Jesus was often in the company of women who “followed him and ministered to him” including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome (Mark 15:40–41). Women comprised his ministry support structure.
In 1 Timothy 3, the word “ministered” is translated “deacon.” Some of these women appear again in Mark 16 when they arrive to serve the Lord by anointing his body after the crucifixion. At the end of Romans, we also read about Rufus, a man with a remarkable mother (and father, since he was the one who carried Jesus cross). Paul says she was like the adoptive church mother, and like a mother to him as well (Romans 16:13). Tabitha was likely the same kind of woman, “full of good works and acts of charity” (Acts 9:36).
Godly women in the church are called to teach and train younger women (Titus 2:3–5). They even have biblical examples to illustrate the goal (1 Peter 3:4–5). We are familiar with the woman described in Proverbs 31, an archetype of feminine character and productivity. However, even the routine faithfulness of Spirit-filled women can bring multigenerational benefits.
Ephesians 4:7-8, 11 KJV does not exempt women:
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”
The Bible explicitly shows and bears record that women have a major role to play in the Church ministry. And those with authentic callings must be allowed to minister to their full divine capacity “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:12-13 KJV)
In this day and age, we see Women that God is doing great things with and through my Mother in the Lord; Rev Oyenike Areogun is unquestionably one.
Reverend Oyenike Areogun is an ordained minister of the Gospel. She serves the will of God in this generation as an Intercessor, Church Pastor, Pastor’s wife, Mother, Conference Speaker and Church Administrator. She also operates in a prophetic ministry whose accuracy has brought increase and joy to God’s people. She is also a minstrel bringing songs from God’s presence, under the music label called THRONE ROOM MUSIC. She is the Vice President of the Living Jesus Ministries (Inc.) and the Senior Pastor of the Dream Centre of the Life Oasis International Church.
My hope and prayer is that this message will clarify the misunderstanding, misinterpretation and misconception that women have no place in the pulpit ministry. I bind the demon behind that false doctrine and eject it from its assignment in Jesus’ Name.
The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 