Different Roles for Women and Men

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (1 Timothy 2:11-15)

Let’s admit something: These verses are not popular today. In fact, they are often disregarded and denied. “Different roles for men and women? How backward! How old-fashioned!”

Yet, we trust in God, and we trust in his Word. Do you think that the gracious God who created human beings as males and females knew what he was doing? Yes! Can we trust his plan? Absolutely.

God created different roles for women and men. Men are to lead and to teach. God calls on men to exercise authority in their homes and in Christian churches and in the world. 

And God says that women are to learn in quietness and submission, willingly allowing men to carry out their God-given role. The role of exercising authority has been given to men and not to women. That’s why Christian churches that follow the Bible always ask men to serve as pastors and church leaders.

To prove that this isn’t just Paul’s personal opinion, he points us back to the Garden of Eden. There was an order to God’s creation. Who was created first? Adam. Who was created second? Eve. Both were equally treasured and perfect, yet God purposefully made them different with different roles. In addition, it was Eve who was first tempted and sinned. Paul wasn’t promoting new church customs that Christians had developed in the 1^st century. He was emphasizing timeless truths for God’s people.

Don’t think for a second, however, that one gender has a greater role than the other. God has given women the unique opportunity to give birth to children. No man, no matter how much he might want to, can give birth to a child. Each role—woman and man—has been given unique blessings by God.

Instead of disregarding God’s different roles for women and men, learn to embrace them. God made you the gender he wants you to be. Trust in God’s plan and carry out your role with faith, love, and holiness.

Dear wise God, you knew what you were doing when you created us as males and females with equal value and different roles. Help Christian women and men to carry out our different roles to your glory. Amen.

Pastor Nathan