In the New Testament Church, is a woman allowed to PREACH? This question has been the subject of warring among God’s people. Let’s take a look at the scriptures concerning women and their place in the church.
First with the Lord, there is no respecter of persons Acts: 10:3, no one at advantage higher than the other. Then in the KINGDOM OF GOD, there is neither MALE NOR FEMALE, Galatians :3:28. Therefore, gender is no criteria for the Lord’s selection of servants. Why did he use so many men then, and why are men the only apostles. Men would be a better selection to stay up with Jesus all night day after day, and keep his ministry above reproach. However we do see in the bible a woman named Junia who was counted among the apostles of the New Testament church. Of course God has always used women in high places in the ministry.
See: http://www.jesusanswers.org/WomenInTheMinistry .Or just read the Word of God to see how often women were used, even as prophets.
3: And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:3
Here the Apostle Paul says that women were laborers with him in the gospel. Even the word used to describe Phoebe as a minister or deacon is the same Hebrew word used to describe the ministry of Jesus Christ and His apostles.
From another writer we find: At Ephesus, they heard Apollos, an eloquent man who was mighty in the scriptures, preach. But he knew only the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila took him unto them and taught him the way of the Lord more perfectly (Acts 18:26). It is interesting that Priscilla is mentioned first in this duo. Four out of the six times they are referred to in the scripture, Priscilla is mentioned first.
Though women being the weaker of the two ( male and female) we do have our days, and ways. Ask Eve about controlling. Yet in the fullness of time God brought forth, made of a woman. Remember it was a woman whose heel was to bruise the head of the serpent.
From my writings: “For Such a Time as This”
LET THE WOMAN LEARN IN SILENCE

I Timothy 2:11: Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.12: But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.13: For Adam was first formed, then Eve.14: And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.15: Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
There are few passages of scripture that has prompted more of a discussion, as a woman’s role in the New Testament Church. Many have made the misinterpretation of this scripture has been used as a basis for interrupting many a God-called ministry. Though we many never expect to see women in as proud a role as men in the church, it behooves us to understand the scripture that our Lord has set forth in His Word. To what end, is the scripture in first Timothy speaking:
In looking at this scripture, we note an obvious change in the plurality of the subject from 1Tim 2:10, and 1Tim 2:11. The letter has changed from speaking of many women, or more than one, to one singular woman.
This one woman is not allowed to teach, or take away the rightful authority of ONE man. Oddly, many miss this distinction. Then it goes on to talk about the first husband and wife COUPLE, and their first bout with Satan. . “Not withstanding, she shall be saved in child-bearing”. Does every woman need to have a child to be saved, or does she need faith, love and holiness with sobriety?
Firstly the scripture says let the woman learn in silence. The word for woman here is the same as the word used for wife. We find the word wife in both definitions.
If a woman can only learn by asking her husband at home, then how can a maiden, or single woman learn?
Let’s look at a comparable scripture in 1Peter:
1: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands;….
5: For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well,

The rightful authority given to man is in the capacity of a husband-wife relationship, in which the man is the head of the relationship. This was done in the Garden of Eden. She is not allowed to take away the God given authority of her husband over her.
12: But I suffer not a woman (the word used here is goonay which means in most cases, wife) to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, (This word is anēr. This word encompasses a fellow, husband, man, sir.) but to be in silence. You could say it like this, a man who is her fellow, her husband, her man, or her Mister. The Word of God teaches that a woman is to submit to her husband.
We must remember that the scriptures or canon in the New Testament is basically letters written to people who were already in the church. They are sent to specific churches about situations that were going on then. Because of this the history of the times must also be considered in understanding the true meaning of the scripture. Such as the Apostle Paul telling Timothy to drink no more only water, but drink wine for his stomach problems. What preacher or person would suggest wine for stomach problems in this day and age? No one. They would recommend over the counter relief or home remedies, or a doctor. Most Christians would never suggest that another Christian to drink wine. We have much more today to offer than an intoxicant.
The scripture says a woman should not teach;
With this understanding we should also understand that during that time there were religions where there were Priestesses who taught certain things that would be inappropriate, such as to do violence or to kill their husband. As ridiculous as it sounds, there were acceptable practices like human sacrifice, and prostitution that was a part of the pagan worship of that day. These things were in practice before people came into the church of the Living God, because Jesus had not been heard of. Therefore the Apostle Paul had to teach the church of Ephesus where Timothy, a young man was the overseer what is acceptable in the church of Jesus Christ. In the book of Revelation it is noted that a woman was teaching immoral practices such as fornication or sexual activity outside of marriage in one of the churches as being acceptable.
We will also see in Paul’s writings warnings against eating meat sacrificed to idols. None of these things apply to us today.
Though many mistake this scripture as one to show that a woman has no right to minister, If this scripture in consumed in the context in which it is written, one will find little problem with what is meant. A simple word definition can bring enlightenment where once there were shadows. The light of understanding can clear so much up.
The Webster Collegiate dictionary reads as follow concerning the word USURP.
Merriam Webster Dictionary and others define USURP.
USURPverb \yu̇-ˈsərp also -ˈzərp\: to take and keep (something, such as power) in a forceful or violent way and especially without the right to do so
If the Lord has called a woman to a ministry, she will not be taking any rightful authority of any person as she does what the Lord has called upon HER to do. However, she must always remember that the scripture calls upon her to display a meek and quiet spirit. Ministry is the profession of a servant.
Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Moses was called a servant, Jesus was called a servant and the Apostles were called servant. The reward at the end of life will go to the good and faithful servant, and not those who exalt themselves.