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What Does the Bible Say?

What does the Bible say about women in ministry?

Women are by no means forbidden from ministry. However, Paul gives clear guideline in 1 Timothy about to whom they can minister. Women are not forbidden from ministry, but they are forbidden from leadership roles in the church over men. This goes back to Genesis where man was placed in authority over the woman in the family. In this letter from Paul, we see that this same concept is carried over into the New Testament. This law may sound harsh to modern-day society, but this preserves what God established in the beginning. Women aren't restricted from ministry. They are simply forbidden from being spiritual leaders to men. As long as it is not in a spiritual teaching or leadership role over men, there is nothing unbiblical about women in ministry.

Note that the only restriction is a teaching or leadership role over men. Women can offer public prayers, can have leadership roles in the church, and can have active ministries.

See also the Fast Answer "What are the roles of the husband and the wife in the family?".



  • 1 Timothy 2:12 — But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:5 — But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
  • Titus 2:3-5 — Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,
    so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
    {to be} sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
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    Bible Answer From: The Holypop Team

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