Role of Women in the Church
The Role of Women in the Church
The role of women in the church is a subject that has been debated and discussed over centuries in the church. One has to carefully study the scriptures to come to a biblical conclusion on this subject matter. Churches have split over differing views regarding this topic. When defining the word “deacon” we should look at it first in the original writing, which is Greek. The Greek word (diakonos) translated "deacon" means servant, and is so translated in (Matthew 23:11; John 12:26). On the other hand in both the Old and New Testaments, the term "elder" indicates one of advanced age (Heb. zaqen[eqz]; Gk. presbyteros [presbuvtero"]) who had a office of leadership within the people of God. The key duties of the elders could be summarized as being the twofold task of judging and discipline generally, and of ruling and guiding the people in an orderly way. The requirements or qualifications an elder can be found in1 Timothy 3:1-7: "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." While the requirements or qualifications of a deacon are similar to that of an elder they are also different. According to 1 Tim 3:8-13 deacons must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, hold the mystery of the faith with a clear
The role of women in the church is a subject that has been debated and discussed over centuries in the church. One has to carefully study the scriptures to come to a biblical conclusion on this subject matter. Churches have split over differing views regarding this topic. When defining the word “deacon” we should look at it first in the original writing, which is Greek. The Greek word (diakonos) translated "deacon" means servant, and is so translated in (Matthew 23:11; John 12:26). On the other hand in both the Old and New Testaments, the term "elder" indicates one of advanced age (Heb. zaqen[eqz]; Gk. presbyteros [presbuvtero"]) who had a office of leadership within the people of God. The key duties of the elders could be summarized as being the twofold task of judging and discipline generally, and of ruling and guiding the people in an orderly way. The requirements or qualifications an elder can be found in1 Timothy 3:1-7: "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." While the requirements or qualifications of a deacon are similar to that of an elder they are also different. According to 1 Tim 3:8-13 deacons must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, hold the mystery of the faith with a clear
Bibliography: Crossway, ESV Bible By. Esv gospel transformation bible. S.l.: Crossway Books, 2013 "Bible Gateway." BibleGateway. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.