There is a difference between equality and sameness. Equality is a statement of value. God makes no difference between men and women when it comes to value. Paul makes that plain in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Sameness, however, is a statement of identical properties or functions. Two objects can be different in their properties or functions, yet be equal in value. It is this distinction that God makes between men and women. While equal, there is a distinction between the roles He desires men and women to play.
To charge the New Testament with being biased against women is false. The gospel has brought about the greatest women’s liberation movement the world has ever seen. Remove the gospel and mankind is led in a downward spiral ending in perversion and loss of dignity. Only the Lord Jesus elevates the woman to a place of dignity–something pagan religion or philosophies never do.
In the church, God has determined that our fellowship and ministries will play a symbolic role demonstrating God’s order. There are reasons for the distinctions between men and women that God makes. Here then are eight distinct ministries given to women:
1. The symbolic display of declaring the preeminence of the glory of Christ in the presence of the glory of man (1 Cor. 11:1-16). This explains the women’s head covering. “Because of the angels,” Paul says, women voluntarily cover their heads–symbolically covering the glory of man. This message speaks volumes.
2. Displays God’s order by remaining silent in the meetings of the local church (1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:11-14). This is not some quaint Corinthian custom as some have suggested. The apostle goes back to Genesis, both pre- and post-fall (1 Tim. 2:13-14). The women’s silence is not because she is less capable, but because God wishes to use the women in a role of silence to display His order. Willingness to submit in silence requires spirituality of the highest order.
3. Maintains holiness of life to equip her to teach younger women (Titus 2:3-4). This responsibility is in the domestic sphere through godly living. It is a vital preventative ministry which, if faithfully exercised, would head off many spiritual disasters in the home. Elders are at their wit’s end in dealing with family troubles. It is sometimes awkward and difficult for an elder to deal with situations that could have been handled much more effectively by older women teaching the younger. Not all family breakdowns are the result of the failure of women in this area, but some problems could be helped by this ministry.
4. Guiding the home life (1 Tim. 5:14). Maintaining order in the routine of the home is what the apostle means here. What a responsibility is given to the woman in maintaining the home with all of its demands of time and energy. It is in the home that practical issues of spirituality are lived out. The impact of this witness on the precious heritage of children cannot be measured.
5. Submission to her husband (Eph. 5:22). A woman displays the church’s submission to Christ when she submits to her husband. Unloving and unkind husbands who make this difficult will have much to answer for at the judgment seat of Christ.
6. Adorned with good works (1 Tim. 2; 1 Pet. 3). This beauty never fades but can be costly.
7. Complementary spiritual qualities of the wife of elders or deacons (1 Tim. 3:11; Titus 1:6), necessary to support these leaders in their work.
8. Workers in the gospel (Phil. 4:3). Paul commends women who “labored with me in the gospel.” Today there are many godly women who take initiative in the gospel without violating God’s order. The words of the apostle are still true today: “Help those women!”
Yes, God does make a difference. We need to also. Next month we will consider specifics for men.