Oppression Of Women In The Bible

Even amongst the most conservative christians, one cannot dismiss the fact that there were a myriad of women in the Bible who not only had leadership positions amongst God’s people, but there were those who were gifted and capable of teaching and preaching the Gospel to all people. First, we must clarify what the text means in reference to women being “silent”(1 Tim. 2:11) and what Paul refers to when he says; “I do not permit a woman to speak” (1 Cor. 14:34). According to Duff, In 1 Timothy 2:11, the word “silence” should be translated to “to settle down” which has nothing to do with being absolutely silent and not be able to speak at all. Next, Margaret Fell, a prominent Quaker preacher wrote an article Women’s Speaking: Justified Proved and Allowed of by Scriptures (1666 CE) whereby she argues that Paul could not have been speaking to all women in 1 Corinthians 14:34-45, because there were many in the …show more content…
Paul mentions her as being “outstanding among the apostles” (Rom. 16:7). To be named a female apostle by Paul is no insignificant matter. Next, Phillip had four unmarried daughters who were described as prophetesses (Acts 21:9-10); which is supported by Acts 2:17-18 which quotes from Joel 2:28 “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy”. Furthermore, Paul mentions Phoebe in Romans who apparently was someone who helped him minister to the churches and was herself recognized as deaconess. In Philippians 4:2-3 Paul mentions Euodia and Syntyche “women who have shared many struggles for the sake of the Gospel.” Paul clearly is speaking of women who more than likely shared in proclaiming the Gospel. Finally there was Priscilla, a fellow companion of Paul who is known to have taught Apollos “the way of God more accurately” (Acts