Women of the world are desperate to prove that they are the same as men in every aspect, but this should not be true of women who profess to worship the Lord. (read more about this in ‘Marriage’)

The separation of roles is clear throughout scripture.  Men are given certain duties and women are given others.  It is not men who give these duties to women, but God who assigns the duties to both men and women.  Accepting these roles should not be a problem for anyone in Christ, as these directives come from him. This does not make men better than women or even independent of them; it is clearly written, “In the Lord however, woman is not independent of man, nor is a man independent of woman.  For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman.  But everything comes from God.” (1 Cor.11:11-12).  We know that everything comes from God.  “In the beginning, the Creator made them male and female.” Since this is true, shouldn’t we honour him by taking up the roles that he has assigned to each of us?  The Lord made man and woman to work as a team. He also gave us specific roles within that team.

 

Men and women are given gender specific roles, not only in the home but also within the church. These roles are not always recognised by ‘church leaders’.

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On a recent trip into town, I picked up a magazine from a man who pedals religious material in the local plaza.  The magazine contained an article about a woman reported to be ‘the first woman to become a diocesan bishop’  (I am assuming that this article refers to his denomination alone, but I am not sure).

In this article, the woman declares, ‘Of course, unlike human beings, God doesn’t see gender - only merit'.   Not only did she unashamedly boast about her own ‘merit’ - she also completely contradicted God’s word – the word that she claims to preach.

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Again; this is what the Lord Jesus said, “‘Haven’t you read’, he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’” (Matt. 19:4-5). The Lord calls us “male and female”, “father and mother”, “man and wife”.  In this short passage, the Lord Jesus separates the genders three times!  Yet this conceited woman declares, ‘God doesn’t see gender’. 

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The denomination that published this article, did so to show how progressive they are. They are boasting about the fact that they have ignored God’s word!  In the third chapter of 1 Timothy, we are told about the roles of “overseers” (bishops) and “deacons” within the church.  It says, “Here is a trustworthy saying; If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task”  (Tim. 3:1).  The gender here is specific, it says “his heart” and “he desires a noble task”. The worldly assume that “he” also means ‘she’, because the worldly do not like to submit to God’s authority. However, this is not written to the world, but to believers.  We only need to read the rest of the passage to understand that the terms “his” and “he” are deliberately gender specific.  

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When we read about the various requirements for the role, we are told, “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife”.  So “he” (the overseer) is the “husband”, not the wife. This is consistent throughout the passage - “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him” - “He” is a man. The same requirements are then written for “deacons”.  Starting in vs. 8, “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain..” Then in vs. 11 “In the same way, their wives are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.  A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and household well”. The Deacons also are obviously men.  They also have “wives” just like the overseers.  Elders must also be men.  “An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.” (Titus 1:6)

We must put aside the idea that the word “man” automatically applies to “women” as well.  It simply doesn’t!  Nor does the word “brother” automatically include “sisters”.

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The roles of men and women are separated because that is the way God has decreed it! The issue here is not male chauvinism or feminism, or any other label that the world cares to come up with.  The only issue here is Scripture, and our willingness to submit to it. We have already read the following passage.

 

This is the way we are told our gatherings should function:

 

“What then shall we say, brothers?  When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.  And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.  The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.  Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

Or did the word of God originate with you?  Or are you the only people it has reached?   If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.  If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.”  (1 Corinthians 14:26-38)

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Men are told that if they speak in a tongue or speak a prophesy, to do so in an orderly fashion.  Women are simply commanded to remain silent.   The instructions here are clear, and they are obviously different for men and women.

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church”.

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Many have said that these instructions are written specifically to the Corinthian church, because the women there were particularly loud and disruptive.  But again, we should look at who this letter is addressed to - it says, “Together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours.” (1 Cor. 1:2). It is addressed to believers everywhere! 

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This teaching is consistent throughout the apostles’ letters.  As it says, “as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.”  Timothy was in Ephesus (not Corinth) when Paul sent him the following instructions:  “I want men everywhere to lift holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.  I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.  A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.  But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” (1 Timothy 2:8-15). This passage clearly gives different instructions to women than it does to men.  God clearly sees gender. He designed gender and he created it.

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Should we simply ignore these scriptures because we don’t like what God says, or because these teachings don’t fit in with the ideas of modern society? Once again, the answer is clear - “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.  If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.”