The NT Gospels tell us about a group of women who became followers of Jesus and supported him throughout his public ministry. They followed him from Galilee to Jerusalem and were eyewitnesses to his crucifixion (Matthew 27:55-56) and to his glorious resurrection (28:1-9). Later we read about women among the multitudes added to the church (Acts 5:14; 17:4,12) and dragged off to prison for their Christian testimony (8:3; 9:2).
Several women in the 1st century church were identified by name including Dorcas who was renowned for her works of generosity to the church (Acts 9:2) and Lydia who was the first convert in Macedonia and seems to have hosted the church there in her own house (16:14-15,40). Damaris was an Athenian woman who believed when Paul preached at Mars Hill (17:34), and he speaks of Euodia and Syntyche as fellow-laborers in the gospel (Phil. 4:3). There may be others as well that I have neglected to mention.
One of the more controversial subjects in Christian history has been the role of women in the church. What exactly does the NT teach about women in the life of the church? Are there any positive affirmations of women’s ministries? Are there any limitations placed on what women may do in the congregation? These important questions may be emotionally charged, and so they deserve our careful consideration.
To be known for your love and generosity toward others, especially those in need, and for your hospitality toward the church is a great honor.
One area that receives a lot of attention today is the testimony of the women who came first to Jesus’ empty tomb on the morning of his resurrection. All four Gospels record that women were the first to see the empty tomb and hear the angel’s announcement that Christ was risen. The Gospel writers tell us that at least some of these women saw Jesus bodily even before he appeared to the rest of the disciples, and they were the ones who carried word back that the Lord was risen just as he had said.
Today it is popular to use these accounts to justify women serving as pastors of local churches, but I think we would be hard-pressed to demonstrate anything like that from these texts. No, the fact that these women were eyewitnesses and shared their testimonies with others simply proves that women ought to be evangelists in the sense of telling others about Jesus. If you are a woman who has come to know and trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, then you must tell others about him. But this has nothing to do with any specific office in the church; it is the duty of all believers to go and make disciples.
We have mentioned some of the other examples from the book of Acts including Dorcas and Lydia, both of whom seem to have had key ministry roles in their local churches. Dorcas was known for her charitable works which included making clothing for her Christian brothers and sisters (Acts 9:39), and Lydia demonstrated great hospitality by inviting the missionaries into her home (16:15) and hosting the brethren (v.40). These two provide great examples of service to which believing women ought to aspire. To be known for your love and generosity toward others, especially those in need, and for your hospitality toward the church is a great honor.
Another example is found in the book of Romans, where Paul commended Phoebe, a sister in the Lord, who was a servant of the church in Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1). Some believe that Phoebe held the office of deacon in that church, while others think she simply served there. I have no problem with the idea that Phoebe held that office, but the text is general enough that it is difficult to be dogmatic either way. What is clear is that this woman was an important member in the church and worthy of notice and support.
Several times we read of Priscilla, who, along with her husband Aquila, was a very loyal companion of the apostle Paul. This married couple served together risking their lives for Paul’s sake, cared for the Gentile churches (Rom. 16:4), and hosted a congregation in their house (v.5). Paul had met them in Corinth and lived with them for a time, because they shared the same trade (Acts 18:2-3). Later they met a Jewish man named Apollos who was a follower of John the Baptist and a great speaker. This faithful couple took him aside and taught him in greater detail about the way of God (v.26). They were still faithfully hosting a congregation near the end of Paul’s life when he penned his final letter (2 Tim. 4:19).
What should we conclude from the examples of these women and others who served, especially with the apostle Paul? They don’t teach us much about the specific roles and duties of women in the church today. What we do learn is that women are essential in building up the church through their service and disciple-making, and that they may have opportunity to help teach and guide even other Christian ministers in the truths of the gospel.
Women ought to be recognized for their contributions to the cause of Christ (Rom. 16:7,12), treated with chastity as mothers and sisters (1 Tim. 5:2), and honored as co-heirs of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7). Women should evangelize the lost, practice hospitality, serve the needy, join their husbands in serving (if married), and be prepared to teach the way of God to those who may not yet fully understand the truth.
But what about those verses on submission and the “clobber passages” about women being silent in church? We will address all of those things in the future, because there is more to be said about the role of women in the church and the spiritual opportunities given to them. For now it is enough to observe these examples of godly women who served with distinction in the church of the 1st century and encourage 21st century Christian ladies to follow their lead.