“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”
1 Timothy 2:12

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.” 1 Corinthians 14:34
Let’s recount some of the women God used who were not kept silent in the church: Pricilla helped teach  Apollos how to prove the Gospel using apologetics more excellently; Chloe, Junia, and Phoebe; Syntyche and Eudea also labored with Paul to minister the Gospel; Lydia and Nympha both had church in their homes. None of these women served under a gag order— even if they were married. An in-depth study of all these verses, taking into consideration their cultural context, and the original language, will bring balance and harmony to the sum total of Paul’s discourse regarding women in ministry— (as with his paradoxical verses regarding the issue of slavery).

Dear Lord, Help us to see that you’re still anointing women to minister your Word. Scripture declares that the ‘weaker’ vessel is also called to teach, preach, and assert herself. Abigail’s story shows us that a woman doesn’t lose her identity in marriage—or the freedom to act independent of a godless husband. Sapphira’s story warns us that a wife will be judged as an individual—who must stand before you and give an account of her own actions. Praise your Name. Amen.

For further study:
Acts 2:18; 5:1-10; 18:24-28
Acts 21:8-9; 16:14-15, 16:40
Philippians 4:2-3
Colossians 4:15-16
Romans 16:1-7
1 Samuel 25:2 -35