The qualifications of an elder (one in the five-fold ministry) can only be defined through the Bible’s narrative. Both
1 Timothy 3:2-7 and
Titus 1:6-9 list the criteria for apostolic conformity to this call (See
1 Timothy 3:2-7;
Titus 1:6-9).
In both these writings we find Paul specifying that an elder must be the “husband of one wife.” These same writings also contain Paul’s guidelines for the behavior of an elder’s wife and children. Therefore, compliance with these would require one to be a male, which means the calling of an elder could only be fulfilled by men, and never by women. But beyond this clear textual evidence is the fact that nowhere in the Bible do we find women operating in the role of a New Covenant Church Elder. This fact alone should settle this apostolic principle.
I realize that the Bible says that there are neither male nor female in Christ (
Galatians 3:28). But when one reads
Galatians 3 in context, they find that Paul is speaking about all people - Jew and Greek, bond and free, male and female – who put on Christ, have equal access to God’s promise. This same theme is mentioned in many of Paul’s epistles (See
Galatians 5:6;
Romans 1:16, 2:9-10, 3:29-30, 4:11-12, 9:24, 10:12-15;
1Corinthians 7:19; 12:13;
Ephesians 3:5-10;
Colossians 3:11).
To make this lone passage in
Galatians 3 the standard for biblical eldership, one would have to take its wording out of context and ignore numerous passages, which define a man and woman’s role in ministry differently than does
Galatians 3:28. Such measures always lead to error and false doctrine.
A woman’s ‘ministry’ is to compliment her husband’s. A man’s ministry may not be the one shining forth in a relationship, but that does not mean the Lord does not desire such a situation to change. This, again, is why both the man and the woman need training from the elders.
Does God use women in the Church? Of course He does. But just as there is a proper headship in the home (See
Ephesians 5:23-24;
1 Corinthians 11:3), there is also a proper headship in the Church (see
Hebrews 13:17;
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13;
1 Timothy 5:17).
The Bible describes matured women of approved character and piety, ministering to other women (See
Titus 2:3-5).
A woman’s service is regarded as very important to the Kingdom of God. Paul mentions such labor in his epistle to the church at Philippi. “And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life” (
Philippians 4:3). Other biblical examples where women served in the Kingdom of God include:
• The Shunamite women ministered to Elisha. (
2 Kings 4)
• Martha served the Lord and His Disciples. (
Luke 10:38-42;
John 12:2, 26)
• Peter’s wife’s mother was healed and then ministered to Jesus. (
Matthew 8:14-15;
Mark 1:31)
• Certain women ministered to Jesus, including: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. (
Matthew 27:55-56)
• Joanna, the wife of Herod’s stewards, and Susanna and many others also ministered to Jesus. (
Luke 8:1-3)
• Dorcas ministered to the needs of the poor. (
Acts 9:36-40)
• Paul asked the Church at Rome to help Phebe in whatever she was doing. She was a servant at the Church at Cenchrea. (
Romans 16:1-2)
These examples describe women serving in the Church,
but nowhere do we find an example of a woman functioning in the five-fold ministry.
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