_____________________________
This is another emotive subject so I am simply going to take the Bible's clear statements thereon. If you are not a Bible believing Christian, I have no other argument.
The majority of the World has moved strongly towards sexual equality between male and female (in every aspect except physical strength) to the extent of defining "bisexual" as a separate gender, totally contrary to clear biblical teaching
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Nowhere in the Bible is there any suggestion of any other gender. There is an acknowledgement that some people may not wish for a marriage type of sexual relationship but that is not the general position.
Mat 19:10 The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."
Mat 19:11 Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.
Mat 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
1Co 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
1Co 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
1Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
"The Greek word "Burn" here is " be inflamed with passion"
1Co 7:32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord.
1Co 7:33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
1Co 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
All are equal before God in that both men and women are sinners who need redemption but the Bible makes it quite clear that they have different functions and responsibilities, for which God has equipped them. Men are clearly physically stronger and equipped to be the "Bread Provider". In spiritual matters at least, man, when a possessor of the Holy Spirit, i.e. a true believer, clearly has authority over a woman, according to the Scrpture.
Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
I personally, do not, with my human mind, like this, but the scripture is absolutely clear and I must accept God knows what he is doing.
Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
And women are designed to help a man
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
which indicates that man will be the leader and that woman will help. To do this they are given a unique relationship.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Although the man is principal the emphasis of being "one flesh" clearly indicates they act together as one. Then came the event which changed the relationships, both with God and each other.
Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Gen 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
First, the woman believed the serpent (Satan) and in doing so, believed God had lied. Then Adam did the same. The command not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good or Evil was given to Adam before Eve was created, so it is possible she had only received the prohibition from Adam and may have been considering whether Adam had passed on the command, correctly. The Bible nowhere says that Adam knew what he was eating. (If anyone shows you a quote from the "book of Moses" ignore it because that is a Mormon publication trying to cash in on the fact that there are quotes in the New Testament which do not come from the literature we currently have. See e.g.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. )
But whether Adam knew or not, the prohibition from God was because God knew the effect of the fruit, i.e. the creation of a moral "Conscience".
Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
This appears to be a Divine judgement on her failure to adhere to God's clear command. Notice God never gave a reason for the command as He is not answerable to us. We are often faced with events for which we can see no reason. God always has a righteous, justifiable reason which may be far beyond our understanding but remember
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
In the New Testament there is clear confirmation of the "subjection" of the wife to the husband and her being the weaker vessel, in spiritual matters - reflecting Eve's failure to see Satan's deception.
1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Paul emphasises this, speaking with the full inspired authority of an Apostle,
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Paul is clearly saying the reason for the restriction is that Eve was deceived, not Adam. This confirms Adam did not know what fruit he was eating. That means Adam did not commit a sin when he ate the forbidden fruit but he, and all his descendants suffered the result of Eve' deliberate sin. The prohibition on teaching is specific. It does NOT prohibit a woman from preaching. In fact, Paul makes it clear that anyone can preach the Gospel - even if they are contentious.
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
To Live Is Christ
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
because
Isa_55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
To summarise:
No matter what we may personally feel, the Bible is clear.
A woman may pray or preach without hindrance. (Paul's reference to head being covered is clearly delivered with a caveat the it is his personal opinion, not God inspired).
1Co 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Co 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
1Co 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
A woman who is a Bible believing Christian has the presence of the Holy Spirit, just as a man. There will be occasions when the normal precepts are not applicable and it is up to the lady concerned to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance. She is, in fact, encouraged to teach other (usually younger,) women
Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
A Bible believing Christian man should be able to sense the Holy Spirit at work in such circumstances. eg. Deborah and Barak.
Jdg 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Jdg 4:5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Jdg 4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
Jdg 4:7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
Jdg 4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
Jdg 4:9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
We are not told the reason why Deborah was appointed a Judge over Israel but Barak clearly recognised her authority and the value of her presence. We do not know when Deborah died, but t Israel's peace lasted 40 years
Jdg 5:31 So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
Many sites claim that there are several examples of women being in authority in the Bible, but examination of the Bible reveals that Deborah was the only one. Several other women were prophetesses and others had influence over rulers but none were leaders in Israel or the New Testament church.
The next point to consider is the Biblical meaning of "Prophesy" . The Old Testament prophets undoubtedly had the gift of foreseeing the future, to the extent permitted by God for each specific purpose. Sometimes the gift was of incredible power.
2Ki 6:12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
Ecc 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
And many of the Prophesies were inspired exhortations and guidance.
That continued in the New Testament. e.g. John the Baptist,
Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luk 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luk 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luk 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luk 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Also
Luk 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luk 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Act 21:10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
Act 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Jesus himself was referred to as a Prophet many times, both in the Old Testament prophesies and in the New Testament and His prophesies abounded in both predictions and teaching. If women are prohibited from teaching as per
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
then the Prophetesses would, unless they were false, have observed that and restricted their activities to predicting the future. The only Biblical reference to a Prophetess teaching involves a false prophetess
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
I, personally and humanly speaking, do not like the idea of a woman being "inferior" to a man (other than as regards physical strength), especially on the basis of "having first sinned" but that is what the scripture clearly says with regard to teaching, so I accept that God has a reason which will be proved to be correct.. As previously stated, nowhere in the Bible is a woman prohibited from "Preaching", i.e. the Gospel to unbelievers. BUT God often makes exceptions to some of his pronouncements. If a woman believes the Holy Spirit requires her to teach (possibly if men are failing to teach or are teaching false doctrine) then she must follow that leading.
I have heard many people acknowledge the scriptural prohibition on women teaching but then claim that it does not apply in our current age, as women were regarded as being inferior to men in New Testament times. Such argument cannot come from a Bible believing Christian who has fully considered the matter. God's word does not change, even if the political/social customs change.
Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psa 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Psa 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Isa 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
I now consider another text
1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
The Greek word for "Speak" is not used in the Bible for anything else than uttering words (except for one occasion when it is used to convey that God speaks to our hearts). It is not used to convey a monologue, so this passage cannot be used to prevent women from Preaching. The whole emphasis of verse 35 is that the prohibition is against women audibly talking, querying something being taught or preached. This passage implies that a man could ask a speaker to explain something he had just said.