Paul and Women in His Ministry

Paul and Women in His Ministry Adult Forum March 2, 2014

Paul, Who Puts Women Down “Wives, be subject to your husbands. . .” Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18 “Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.” Titus 2:3-5

Paul and Women in His Ministry Study the Seven Uncontested Letters of Paul: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon Exclude Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus But still need to deal with all the passages!

A Puzzle in 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians 11: 4-5 4Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head, 5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head-- it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved.

The Puzzle of 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians 11: 4-5 4 Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head disgraces his head, 5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head-- it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. 1 Corinthians 14:33b-35 As in all the churches of the saints, 34 women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. . . .

Can Passages be Reconciled? Yes: 1. The point of the letter for Paul. 2. 1 Cor 14:33b-35 is what the Corinthians are saying No: an interpolation by a later scribe Vocabulary not Paul’s but later Contrary to Paul’s practice elsewhere Text reads well with the verses removed

What if the Passage Came Out?1 Cor 14:31-32, 36-38 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. 32 Indeed, the spirits of prophets are under the prophets' control, 33 since he is not the God of disorder but of peace. . . . 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:3-4 and Equal Status 3”The husband should fulfill his duty toward his wife, and likewise the wife toward her husband. 4 A wife does not have authority over her own body, but rather her husband, and similarly a husband does not have authority over his own body, but rather his wife.”

1 Corinthian 7:14, 16: Marriage Sanctifies “For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. . . . Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.”

The Evidence of Romans 16 Nine women named in Romans 16 Vv. 1-2 Phoebe Paul’s ambassador to the Romans Minister/Deacon in Cenchrae Paul’s benefactor and hence patron V. 3 Prisca(also 1 Corinthians 16:9) Socially superior to husband Aquilla Hosts a house church

The Evidence of Romans 16 V. 6 Mary . . . worked hard among the Romans V. 7 Junia. . . fellow prisoner with Paul Follower of Jesus before Paul V. 13 Rufus’ mother . . . and Paul’s mother V. 15 Julia and Nereus’ sister . . . hosts (and presiders?) of house church V. 12 Tryphaena and Tryphosa . . . Paul silent

Philippians 4:2-3 “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Paul and Women Respected women and marriage Relied on women Worked with women Jailedwith women

Paul and Women in His Ministry