The Woman’s Authority?

Is there an Inconsistency?

Richard Hollerman

If you are like me, you have heard this objection again and again, but is it really true? This is the objection:

You say that God forbids a woman to have authority over the man. Many Scriptures would say this. But we must insist on one disclaimer. It is this: when we speak about authority and submission, we don’t have worth, abilities, or knowledge in mind. A woman (or a wife) may be more knowledgeable than her husband. She may be filled with more grace and have more qualities than her husband. She may be more “qualified” for certain work than her husband. We are only referring to what God permits or wants in regard to the position of the man (or husband) and the position of the woman (or the wife).

However, this matter of authority seems to be inconsistent and troublesome. Some would contend that if a woman is not to have authority over a man this would apply only to matters pertaining to the church and to home. In any other venue, the woman may have similar positions and similar authority. Isn’t this right? To be quite realistic, most (even professing Christians) would have no issue at all about a woman filling the shoes of the man! How are we to view this perplexity?

It is true that God in inspired Scripture doesn’t allow the woman to have authority over the man. We find this in many places. For instance, lets notice a few places. “Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:3). Doesn’t this say that the man is to be the “head” over the opposite sex? Doesn’t this say that the woman has no authority in this matter? We don’t want to suggest that the woman is in any way inferior but to say that God has given her a certain role—one that is clearly revealed in His Word.

Another passage would be way back at the beginning—Genesis 3:16. In the latter part of this verse, we read God’s words to Eve: “. . . Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” We know that some women (perhaps they would be “feminist” women) would find God’s words here to be quite offensive. Raised in this land of “equal rights” for all people, especially taught in the educational establishments of the land, we know that some women would react strongly against what God has said here. Egalitarian means “affirming, promoting, or characterized by belief in equal political, economic, and social rights for all people” (The American Heritage College Dictionary). Especially, many (actually most) women in America would take offense against the idea that Adam (and all men) is to “rule” over Even (his wife). But here we are only setting forth what the authoritative Word of God says.

Or consider another passage: “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Doesn’t this say that a woman is to “receive” instruction—and not “give” instruction (at least to the opposite sex)? And doesn’t it say that she is to remain “quiet” which would be the opposite of vocal?

Scripture gives the basis for this clear instruction. Paul explains: “For it was Adam who was first created and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Timothy 2:13-14). We know that some liberal religionists would just throw all of this out, but those who respect Scripture hopefully will recognize that these two reasons are the basis of the apostle’s instruction.

Or consider another passage: “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak; but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. . . It is improper for a woman to speak in church” (1 Corinthians 14:34, 35b). This passage would say that the woman is to “keep silent” in the assemblies. They are not “permitted to speak.” They are to be “subject.” And it is “improper for a woman to speak” in the assembly. This passage would again emphasize that the female is not to speak in the assembly but is to keep “silent” and she is to “subject” herself.

All of this seems quite plain, doesn’t it? But why is there such widespread violation of this plain language today? In what way do we observe this objection to the plain commands of Scripture?

First, we see that the male is the “head” over the woman, and not vice versa. In other words, 1 Corinthians 11:3 would not support the idea that a woman is either equal to or over the man (in authority). Thus, in authority, in leadership, in the ability to teach publicly, etc., she is not to be the “head” over the man (or her husband). (Some egalitarian translations would limit this to the husband because of the Greek but it is better to accept what most translations do and apply this to all women and all men).

The woman (or wife) is not the “head” over the man but the male is the “head” over the woman. We might notice that this doesn’t pertain merely to the home or to the church, but it is a blanket statement that would say the male is the “head” in all circumstances and at all times. Isn’t this what it says? We do know that feminist women would object to this strongly, but we are merely saying what God says in Scripture.

Second, the woman is to receive instruction from the man and not give it. (Of course, hopefully, this would be a male teacher since most men are not competent teachers or even leaders!). Further, the man is to have “authority” over the woman and not the woman over the man (or husband—the terms are the same in Greek). Scripture here says that the woman is not to have authority over the man. Furthermore, she is to remain “quiet” in this setting and is to be “submissive.” What is the opposite of submissive? She is not to exercise authority over the man (or over her husband). Again, this seems to be a simple teaching to grasp, doesn’t it?

Third, the woman is to remain quiet and not speak—at least in the context in which Paul writes. She is to be submissive in demeanor and not take authority over either her husband or men in general. Doesn’t this seem simple? Doesn’t it seem quite plain as well as authoritative?

We agree that it seems so difficult for a woman to be submissive. (We know that it is also true that a man sometimes must be submissive and yielding to those with authority over them!) It is hard for her to be gentle, yielding, and under authority. Perhaps the issue is whether she wants to be submissive. Sadly, we know that most women simply don’t want to be under authority! This is so regardless of what God says in this matter!

The two ways that this sort of instruction is understood would be this: First, some would say that the way that God forbids certain behavior of the woman is to apply this only to the home or the church. In other words, some would say that only in the home should the woman (or wife) be quiet and submissive. She is not to be domineering, “bossy,” exercise authority over her husband, or be outspoken. Rather, she is to be quiet and submissive in those circumstances.

However, in most cases we find that women are not like this. They often (not always) have authority over their husband and are often the most vocal in the relationship rather than quiet. They often have authority over the husband rather than exercise a submissive spirit. We realize that some would say that such passages as these do apply to the home or the church, but do people really adhere to this? Or do they find exceptions?

We find that regardless of what Scripture says, the woman is not to have authority over the man (or her husband) and is to be submissive before her husband. If these would be the plain facts, why is it that people and churches don’t “get this”? Why is it that they (most of them) just don’t heed the Scriptural directives? Why is it that these instructions are not obeyed, pure and simple?

Some would say that they understand the limitation regarding being submissive in the marriage. But this would be true also in the “church” settings. How often have we seen a woman be in control in church! Open your eyes and you will see women pastors! There may be women co-pastors! They may be under their husband but still over others! They may be “leaders” in certain singing groups! They may be teachers over men. They may open their mouths and speak even though women are not to speak in such settings! When will professing Christians wake up and understand what Scripture is promoting and forbidding!

The second point that we wish to examine is this: Granted, the Bible is plain that the man has authority over the woman (or his wife) and is not subservient to her. What about those matters that do not pertain to either the home (and marriage) or to the church (or the assembly under God)?

For example, and to be quite plain, what about the education system? What about the business location? What about the government system? Some would respond quite clearly by saying that God doesn’t speak to these situations. They might say that the Lord only addresses the minority of cases that we have examined, and doesn’t address the many, many situations in which a woman and a man are related in a non-home and non-religious way.

I’ve tried but failed to see a difference here. Some would say that a woman must not have authority over a man in the home or in the church, but she may have complete authority over the man in other situations. In other words, she may have authority in a school, on the job, in the government, and in every other aspect of life—as long as she doesn’t attempt to exercise authority in church or in the family (and home).

If this sort of argument were to be given in some contexts, we believe that they would logically laugh at the suggestion and think that this is a matter without substance. In other words, they would probably say that this is ridiculous! They would see no difference between the home and (say) a store, a school classroom, a governmental office, an educational or training session or the like. They would open the door wide and say that such a distinction is nonsense!

When we examine history and ask what it was like 121 years ago (at the turn of the century), or at the time of the American Civil War, or the early 1800s, or a hundred years earlier, or even during the early years of the nation’s history, or during the colonial period, it would clearly be a matter of the man having authority and the woman not being in places of leadership. We know that a hundred years ago things radically changed and the “door” was opened to an egalitarian way of thinking—and feminism has been the order of the day since.

Some would object and say, “But we are living in the twenty-first century and things have changed! You are thinking in terms of the past and what was permissive and right a hundred, two hundred, or three hundred years ago!” We know that this kind of argument would arise and this whole matter would be dismissed. But let’s remember that a vast number of wrong and even sinful choices have been made during these recent years.

By this we mean that women do hold positions of power; but is this right? Women do have places of authority and most people see nothing wrong with this and even applaud this as being “freedom” of speech! Amazingly, today there are more worldly women with advanced education degrees than men! Women are “free” from the home, thus they may send their children to school to be taught by men and women alike. Women are as frequently found teaching over the man in education than are men. They are just as likely to be in the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, even the Presidency, so let’s get used to this and endorse this.”

We’re sorry that our presentation here would more pertain to America. However, we also know that the United States, with only 5% of the world population, is only one country among perhaps 195 other ones. We do hope that if you are in other countries, you will be able to transition and see something wise and good here. God wants His will to be known and followed not only in the United States, but in all the nations of earth!

I think that we must get “used” to this sort of reasoning that allows and promoted feminism in all spheres of life. We already know that most people—is it 95% or even 99%?—have little regard for what God says about this and many other subjects! They think that this is just a matter of indifference or “keeping up with the times.” They just want to “keep up with society” and think that any objection to their liberal agenda would be close-minded and obscurantist.  But is it? Who is Creator and Who is in charge here? Why would it be wrong to submit to His rule and obey His commands? Why not take His will and agree to follow Him regardless of what society says?

I agree that there are many aspects to this subject that are difficult to understand.  What about a disobedient husband (cf. 1 Peter 3:1)? What about a widow (1 Timothy 5:3-16)? What about a woman with ten children and no man to help support her or provide for the children (1 Timothy 5:8)? What about the case of a Christian who is part of a Christian assembly but doesn’t “fit in” to their liberal stance? We could go on with a hundred different scenarios. Some of this we must submit to God and ask Him to work it all out for His glory. So let’s do what we can when we can. Let’s do what we can and commit those aspects that are difficult to work out to Him and His will.

May God help us to this end! May He help us to live and think differently from our neighbors, our working associates, and even our family. He knows what He is doing and will make the way plain.