!SIMPLE SOUL WINNING - Chapter 9
Soul Winning as a Woman
The role of women in the church has long been a subject of debate in the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians 14:33-35, women are told to “keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak”. See also I Timothy 2:11-12. Yet, earlier within the pages of the same New Testament (Acts 21:8-9), we find that Philip’s four virgin daughters were inspired to prophesy (literally: to speak forth) and Peter predicted that women would prophesy during the church age when he gave his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17). The fulfillment of Peter’s words can be seen later in I Corinthians 11:5 where women are told to wear head coverings when they prophesy. Since we know that God’s Word never contradicts itself, we must conclude that there is a way for women to speak about spiritual matters without violating the “keep silent” standard of I Corinthians 14:34.
When one reads the entire context of 1 Corinthians 14:33-35, it becomes clear that Paul’s limitation on women is being made within the context of the church assembly. Many scholars believe that verse 33 indicates that some women in the church at Corinth were creating confusion in the assembly and Paul was addressing that specific atmosphere.
Some have done a great disservice to women by taking this passage out of context and discouraging their spiritual testimony. Although women are not to be public speakers in the assembly, that does not mean that they are equally limited in other realms of life. Consider the work of Priscilla in the case of Apollos (Acts 18:26). In Romans 16:6, Paul sends greetings to a woman and refers to her as one “who labored much for us.” And, in Acts 12:12, Mary opened her home for a prayer meeting on Peter’s behalf.
Perhaps the best example of a woman who was actively involved in the work of the Lord comes from Romans 16:1-2. Notice the inspired recommendation that Paul gives to Phoebe, a woman who the apostle indicates had a recognized position in the church (Greek: diakonon). She was a leader in serving others. “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.”
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says this about Romans 16. “This chapter refutes the idea that the apostle resented women working in the churches or among believers. His tribute to Phoebe is followed by greetings to various people and groups. Among those greeted are eight women. Paul specifically comments on how much work five of these women did (Mary, v. 6; Priscilla, a fellow worker, v. 3; Tryphena and Tryphosa, v. 12; Persis, v. 12). The mother of Rufus was so dear to Paul that he calls her his mother as well (v. 13). Only two women are mentioned without any comment-Julia and the sister of Nereus (v. 15).”
It is your author’s prayer that this brief study will encourage greater involvement of women in the soul winning process. In nearly every church with which I work across the nation, there can be found a majority of members who are women. This plentiful workforce of harvesters must be employed in the work of the Lord. Women bring their own unique and vital qualities to the realm of soul winning. For the sake of the cross, church leaders must give greater encouragement to evangelistic women and take full advantage of their skills to help grow the Lord’s church.
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