Separate Women’s Bible Study?

[Kai]

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.

 

[searchingtruths]

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?

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.

 

[Foxmeister]

Please explain in detail how to fold a fitted bedsheet.

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

These will help you.

 

[Foxmeister]

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.

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

 

[Kai]

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

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.

 

[Foxmeister]

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.

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.

 

[Kai]

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.

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.

 

[Silverhair]

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.

Still think you know better than God I see.