JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your recent question as to whether God's Word permits the ordination of women as preachers.

The apostle Paul's instructions were: "I permit no woman to teach or to have [exercise] authority over men; she is to keep silent" (I Tim. 2:12, RSV). Also see I Corinthians 14:34. Paul is explaining that it is not proper for women to exercise administrative ecclesiastical authority over men within the Church. In other words, women were NOT to become Church elders or give sermons. (Based on Paul's teachings, the Worldwide Church of God does NOT ordain women into the ministry.)

The New Testament does, however, give a precedent for the ordination of deaconesses (see I Timothy 3:8-11 and Romans 16:1, RSV). Apparently, Priscilla and Aquila, who served under Paul's administration, were deacon and deaconess. In the Church at that time was a very powerful and effective teacher named Apollos. Apollos' knowledge was imperfect, though, and "... when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26, RSV). Here we find a woman and her husband together teaching a man the way of God more perfectly. Notice also Paul's instruction in Titus 2:3-5.

The Bible also includes examples of instruction collected from outstanding women. Included are Hannah's prayer, Miriam's song, and the teachings of Lemuel's mother.

Thank you for your interest. If you have additional Bible questions, please feel welcome to send them to us. We will be happy to answer them for you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT