What Does the Bible Say About Women Preaching?
The topic of women preaching remains one of the most discussed and debated issues in the modern church. While the Bible clearly affirms the full equality of men and women as image-bearers of God and co-heirs of salvation, it also sets boundaries for certain leadership roles in the gathered worship of the church.
For many, the question is not about whether women can teach, speak, or share the Gospel—they can and do throughout Scripture—but whether the office of elder (or pastor) and the act of authoritative preaching in corporate worship are roles reserved for qualified men.
Christians across traditions approach this question differently, often influenced by their interpretation of key passages, their understanding of creation order, and their view of how the New Testament applies to the church today.
1. What the Bible Says About the Equality of Men and Women
Before addressing women preaching, it is essential to affirm that the Bible presents men and women as equal in value, dignity, and worth. Genesis 1:27 declares that both male and female are made in the image of God. The Gospel further reinforces this equality, with Galatians 3:28 proclaiming that in Christ “there is neither male nor female” in terms of salvation and standing before God.
Equality in worth, however, does not necessarily mean sameness in function. The creation narrative presents complementary roles, with Adam and Eve working together to fulfill God’s mandate. These differences in role are rooted in God’s design, not in cultural bias or human tradition.
This foundation is critical: the discussion about women preaching is not about inferiority but about understanding how God has structured leadership and teaching within His church.
2. The Role of Preaching and the Office of Elder in the Bible
In the Bible, preaching in the context of corporate worship is closely tied to the pastoral office, often described as that of elder or overseer (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9). These elders are tasked with shepherding the congregation, teaching sound doctrine, and guarding the church from false teaching.
In passages like 1 Timothy 2:11–15, Paul instructs that a woman is “not to teach or exercise authority over a man” in the gathered church. Many interpret this as prohibiting women preaching in the authoritative sense within corporate worship, while affirming their vital role in other teaching and ministry contexts.
This complementarian view does not restrict women from all forms of public speaking or teaching but reserves the elder-led, authoritative preaching role for biblically qualified men. The reasoning is rooted in both the created order (Genesis 2) and apostolic instruction.
3. Biblical Examples of Women Teaching and Serving
While certain leadership roles in corporate worship may be restricted, the Bible provides numerous examples of women teaching, leading, and proclaiming the truth in various settings.
Priscilla, alongside her husband Aquila, helped instruct Apollos in the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26).
Phoebe served the church at Cenchreae and was commended by Paul (Romans 16:1–2).
Deborah judged Israel and delivered God’s word (Judges 4–5).
Mary Magdalene and other women were the first witnesses of the resurrection, entrusted to proclaim the good news to the apostles (Matthew 28:8–10).
These examples demonstrate that the Bible celebrates the voices of women in proclaiming God’s truth. The distinction lies in the context: their contributions were significant, but they did not occupy the ongoing, authoritative teaching role tied to the elder’s office.
4. Complementarian and Egalitarian Perspectives on Women Preaching
Within the church today, two primary perspectives shape the discussion:
Complementarianism holds that men and women have equal value but different, complementary roles. This view reserves the office of elder and the act of authoritative preaching in corporate worship for qualified men, based on passages like 1 Timothy 2:11–15 and 1 Corinthians 14:33–35. Complementarians see this as a creation-rooted design, not a temporary cultural norm.
Egalitarianism argues that leadership roles, including women preaching, should be open to both men and women, interpreting the restrictive passages as culturally specific or addressing unique issues in the early church. Egalitarians emphasize other passages where women lead, teach, and prophesy as evidence for shared ministry.
While complementarianism remains the dominant view in many evangelical contexts, the conversation continues, often with both sides affirming the authority of the Bible while differing in interpretation.
5. Ministry Opportunities for Women in Light of Biblical Teaching
Even in churches that limit women preaching in the context of corporate worship, the Bible affirms a wide range of ministry opportunities for women. Scripture calls women to:
Teach Other Women – Titus 2:3–5 directs older women to train younger women in godliness.
Disciple Children and Youth – Passing on the faith to the next generation is a vital ministry.
Engage in Evangelism – Women in the New Testament boldly shared the Gospel in homes, marketplaces, and public spaces.
Serve in Hospitality and Administration – Many women supported Jesus’ ministry and the early church through practical service.
Pray and Prophesy in the Church – 1 Corinthians 11:5 acknowledges women participating vocally in worship under proper order.
These opportunities reflect the Bible’s vision for women as active, influential servants in the mission of the church.
6. The Gospel and the Witness of Order in the Church
The debate over women preaching is ultimately not about ability, intellect, or spirituality—it is about faithfulness to God’s design and His Word. In the Gospel, leadership is never about status or self-advancement; it is about service, humility, and obedience.
When the church honors God’s design for leadership, it offers a countercultural witness that authority and submission are not about dominance and inferiority but about reflecting the relationship between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:23–27).
Women, like men, are called to use their gifts in the service of the Gospel, trusting that God’s design is good, wise, and aimed at the flourishing of His people.
Conclusion
The Bible affirms the equal worth and dignity of men and women while also establishing complementary roles in the life of the church. The role of elder and the act of authoritative preaching in corporate worship are, according to many interpretations, reserved for qualified men. This teaching is not a limitation on women’s value but a reflection of God’s creation order and the pattern given in Scripture.
At the same time, women preaching in appropriate contexts—outside the authoritative elder role—has a rich biblical precedent and continues to bless the church today. The goal for all believers, regardless of role, is to proclaim Christ faithfully and to use their gifts for the building up of the body and the glory of God.
Bible Verses About Women Preaching and Teaching
1 Timothy 2:11–12 – “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man.”
1 Corinthians 14:34–35 – “The women should keep silent in the churches… it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”
Titus 2:3–5 – Older women are to teach what is good and train the younger women.
Acts 18:26 – Priscilla and Aquila explain the way of God more accurately to Apollos.
Romans 16:1–2 – Phoebe is commended for her service to the church.
Judges 4:4–5 – Deborah, a prophetess, judged Israel.
Matthew 28:8–10 – Women are the first witnesses to the resurrection.
Luke 8:1–3 – Women accompany and support Jesus’ ministry.
Philippians 4:3 – Women labor side by side with Paul in the Gospel.
Acts 21:9 – Philip’s four daughters prophesy.