Separate Women’s Bible Study?

I don't think men necessarily have to be excluded from a Bible study group led by a woman. The real concern would be if she overstepped into the role of male elders—specifically when it comes to shepherding the congregation, meeting their spiritual needs, and bearing the responsibility of caring for the church community.

Rye said:

The Baptist church I visited recently had two separate Bible study groups before the main service. One room was for the men only and another room was for the women only. I have no idea if this is a common practice but it got me thinking…

1 Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Can a woman lead a Bible Study in a teaching role as long as the men aren’t present?

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First I've heard of it in these more modern days.

There were women deacons in the first churches under Paul _ women held Church in their homes _ and 1st Timothy 2:12 is misunderstood by the first translators and passed down from generation to generation.

Here are some of their names


Woman LeaderMentioned InRole & Impact
Prisca (Priscilla)Romans 16:3–5, 1 Cor 16:19Hosted a house church with her husband Aquila. Paul frequently lists her name before her husband's, signifying her prominent role as an instructor who even corrected the theology of the evangelist Apollos.

LydiaActs 16:14–15, 40A wealthy merchant of purple cloth who became Paul's first convert in Europe. She opened her home to host and establish the foundational church at Philippi.

NymphaColossians 4:15Explicitly greeted by Paul, who sends instructions to "the church in her house".

Chloe1 Corinthians 1:11Led a prominent household and influential faith community in Corinth.

ApphiaPhilemon 1:2Addressed by Paul as "our sister" and a leader in the house church at Colossae.


Historical Continuity

This phenomenon was not unique to Paul’s lifetimes. Early secular Roman history confirms these roles. In 112 AD, the Roman governor Pliny the Younger wrote a letter to Emperor Trajan detailing his interrogation of two Christian women whom the church officially designated as ministrae (the Latin equivalent for femal
e deacons).


. Women as Deacons (Diakonos)

The most explicit example of a female deacon under Paul's ministry is Phoebe.
• The Case of Phoebe: In Romans 16:1-2, Paul explicitly calls her "our sister Phoebe, a deacon (diakonos) of the church in Cenchreae".
• The Meaning of the Office: While diakonos can mean a general "servant," Paul uses the formal phrase "deacon of the church," indicating an official role.
• The Authority of Letter Carriers: Scholars note that as the courier who carried Paul’s letter to Rome, Phoebe would have been tasked with reading it aloud and explaining its complex theological contents to the Roman congregations.
• Timothy's Evidence: Furthermore, in 1 Timothy 3:11, during a list of qualifications for deacons, Paul states, "In the same way, the women must be worthy of respect...". Many Biblical scholars argue this translates directly to "female deacons" rather than deacons' wives, as no equivalent rules were written for elders' wives.


LeaderMentioned InRole & Impact
Prisca (Priscilla)Romans 16:3–5, 1 Cor 16:19Hosted
a

2. Women Hosting and Holding Churches in Their Halls

Before dedicated church buildings existed, the early Christian movement operated entirely through house churches. Wealthy women frequently provided their homes and assembly spaces, essentially acting as the patrons and leaders of those local faith communities.

Dr. Bob said:

Please explain in detail how to fold a fitted bedsheet.

Then we can get back to the much easier Bible discussion.

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These will help you.

Kai said:

I don't think men necessarily have to be excluded from a Bible study group led by a woman. The real concern would be if she overstepped into the role of male elders—specifically when it comes to shepherding the congregation, meeting their spiritual needs, and bearing the responsibility of caring for the church community.

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1 Timothy 2:12 "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

Foxmeister said:

1 Timothy 2:12 "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

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Acts 18:24-26
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

A man who hasn't yet progressed beyond basic spiritual foundations can definitely pick up more profound insights about God from a woman. That doesn't automatically mean she's stepped into the role of male leadership—as long as she eventually hands things over to the elders so he can dive into more advanced spiritual wisdom with them.

Kai said:

Acts 18:24-26
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

A man who hasn't yet progressed beyond basic spiritual foundations can definitely pick up more profound insights about God from a woman. That doesn't automatically mean she's stepped into the role of male leadership—as long as she eventually hands things over to the elders so he can dive into more advanced spiritual wisdom with them.

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Are you saying Paul is contradicting himself? Then one of those verses would be true and the other false, which would mean the Bible isn't inerrant. The reality is, you're taking the verse you used out of context to fit your cultural belief.

Foxmeister said:

Are you saying Paul is contradicting himself? Then one of those verses would be true and the other false, which would mean the Bible isn't inerrant. The reality is, you're taking the verse you used out of context to fit your cultural belief.

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I'm not saying Paul is contradicting himself.

I would suggest taking a look at this recently closed thread if you want to see that I've vehemently defended male eldership and have not been fitting it to my cultural beliefs like @Silverhair has attempted to do.

I'm saying Acts 18:24-26 shows us that women can teach men under certain circumstances, for a very limited period of time, not as someone who has assumed the responsibilities of an elder, and should be done outside of the worship service.

But if you think I've gotten it wrong, then please show me where, by all means.

Kai said:

I'm not saying Paul is contradicting himself.

I would suggest taking a look at this recently closed thread if you want to see that I've vehemently defended male eldership and have not been fitting it to my cultural beliefs like @Silverhair has attempted to do.

I'm saying Acts 18:24-26 shows us that women can teach men under certain circumstances, for a very limited period of time, not as someone who has assumed the responsibilities of an elder, and should be done outside of the worship service.

But if you think I've gotten it wrong, then please show me where, by all means.

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Still think you know better than God I see.

Silverhair said:

Still think you know better than God I see.

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Not at all. In fact, I thought you might even agree with me here!

@Kai to quote you "I've vehemently defended male eldership and have not been fitting it to my cultural beliefs like @Silverhair has attempted to do."

I have not attempted to go along with cultural beliefs as you are suggesting. As I have said more than once in the thread you referenced, I trust that God will use whom He chooses how He chooses when He chooses. You do not seem to think God is allowed to do so.

Silverhair said:

I have not attempted to go along with cultural beliefs as you are suggesting. As I have said more than once in the thread you referenced, I trust that God will use whom He chooses how He chooses when He chooses. You do not seem to think God is allowed to do so.

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Well, I’m not trying to rehash all of that here.

But do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Kai said:

I'm saying Acts 18:24-26 shows us that women can teach men under certain circumstances, for a very limited period of time, not as someone who has assumed the responsibilities of an elder, and should be done outside of the worship service.

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Kai said:

Well, I’m not trying to rehash all of that here.

But do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

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As I have said before God will use those He chooses to accomplish His plan. As we see clearly in the text, God used whom He wanted at that time to accomplish His plan.

You see it as restricting what women can do and I see it as God using a women to teach the gospel message.

Kai said:

Well, I’m not trying to rehash all of that here.

But do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

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How do you know exactly what Priscilla's role was in this. As the husband, Aquilla was the leader in his marriage. Also Paul had made it clear women are not to have authority over men or teach them, they are to remain silent. They take Apollos to their home. Priscilla serves as hostess and supports her husband as he corrects Apollos.

I've sat in a Sunday school class for older adults that was led by a woman. She spent at least 85% of the class describing the cities and their history and what those places are like today, than she did on the verses in the Bible. Which of the two is more important? I would say it's more important for the focus to be on the scripture. In that hour, only three verses were used.

Foxmeister said:

How do you know exactly what Priscilla's role was in this. As the husband, Aquilla was the leader in his marriage. Also Paul had made it clear women are not to have authority over men or teach them, they are to remain silent. They take Apollos to their home. Priscilla serves as hostess and supports her husband as he corrects Apollos.

I've sat in a Sunday school class for older adults that was led by a woman. She spent at least 85% of the class describing the cities and their history and what those places are like today, than she did on the verses in the Bible. Which of the two is more important? I would say it's more important for the focus to be on the scripture. In that hour, only three verses were used.

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I have been in classes where the man did just the same type of thing. I have also had women do an excellent job of going through the text in great detail.

But you do present a rather sexist view of what the duties of the woman is.

Foxmeister said:

As the husband, Aquilla was the leader in his marriage.

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Thank you for pointing out this fact, and as it turns out, I have made a huge blunder.

I incorrectly assumed Aquilla was also a woman, but upon taking another look at the context, he was in fact a man—Priscilla's husband.

That changes how I need to look at this. Thank you.

Kai said:

Thank you for pointing out this fact, and as it turns out, I have made a huge blunder.

I incorrectly assumed Aquilla was also a woman, but upon taking another look at the context, he was in fact a man—Priscilla's husband.

That changes how I need to look at this. Thank you.

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No problem. We all make mistakes.