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In my previous post,<\/a> I addressed five common objections against women preachers and teachers for you to consider. Here are answers to 5 more frequent protests against women speaking in the church.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; (1 Tim. 3:1-2 NKJV)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n There are several things to note here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n First, in several translations, 1 Timothy 3:1 is translated as \u201cif a<\/span> man<\/span><\/i> desires\u2026\u201d and many use this to argue against women preachers, stating it explicitly says \u201cman.\u201d However, the word that\u2019s used in the Greek text is the pronoun <\/span>\u03c4\u03b9\u03c2 <\/span><\/i>which generally means \u201canyone\u201d or \u201csomeone\u201d and can refer to either a male or female. So off the top, it seems to me as if someone had an agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n Second, <\/span>Gotquestions.org states<\/span><\/a>: \u201cFirst Timothy 3:2 specifically says that the overseer is to be \u2018faithful to his wife.\u2019 This assumes he is a man.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Well, if that\u2019s the case, then it also assumes that he is a <\/span>married<\/span><\/i> man. In appealing again to common sense, if this verse excludes a woman from being an overseer because she\u2019s not a husband and doesn\u2019t have a wife, then that means, as many have often pointed out, that it also excludes Paul and other males who aren\u2019t married and also males who don\u2019t have any children from holding this office (1 Tim. 3:4).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If this reasoning can be applied to one gender then it should also be true for the other. Otherwise, one no longer holds a reasonable view or position, but is simply prejudiced against women.<\/span><\/p>\n Third, a pastor is not the same thing as an overseer. Many believe they are because of Acts 20:28, where Paul, speaking to the elders (plural) at the church at Ephesus says,<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKeep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.\u201c\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This translation from the NIV and several other translations, translate the Greek verb <\/span>poimainein<\/span><\/i> as \u201cbe shepherds\u201d of the church of God. However, the word <\/span>poimaino <\/span><\/i>here,<\/span> is in the infinitive form. Therefore, it actually says \u201c<\/span>to shepherd<\/span><\/i>\u201d the church of God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In other words, the elders, made as watchmen by the Holy Spirit, are \u201cto tend\u201d to God\u2019s people, by caring for them and watching over them, faithfully and attentively, as would a shepherd. This doesn\u2019t <\/span>make<\/span><\/i> them shepherds anymore than \u201cdoctoring\u201d on someone makes me a doctor. But their job involves some aspect of shepherding or \u201ccaring\u201d for the sheep.<\/span><\/p>\n Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:25 describes Jesus Christ himself as the \u201cShepherd and Overseer of your souls.\u201d Now, was it necessary to use two different words to describe the same role? Or did Peter want them to understand that Christ is both the ultimate caretaker <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> protector of their souls?<\/span><\/p>\n To add, the verb <\/span>poimaino<\/span><\/i> can also mean \u201cgovern, guide, care for, or herd,\u201d and metaphorically, it can also mean \u201cto cherish.\u201d All these are alternate translations that may be suitable and even better in this context. The same holds true for 1 Peter 5:4, which states:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.\u201d (1 Ptr. 5:1-4 ESV)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n So, then, they were to care for the flock, specifically by <\/span>exercising oversight <\/span><\/i>rather than by performing general pastoral duties such as feeding, cleaning, and tending to the sick and wounded, physically and\/or figuratively.<\/span><\/p>\n But, people will say a pastor and overseer are the same, because at some point, someone made that determination based on these verses, and everyone went along with it instead of thinking through it themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Alone, these two passages do not conclude that a shepherd is the same role as an overseer, and I\u2019ve encountered no better argument that suggests they are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Likewise, an overseer is not the same as an elder (older, generally wise man). Another crucial point to consider regarding Acts 20:28, is that it tells us something specific. It tells us that the elders in Ephesus served as overseers within their congregation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, what it doesn\u2019t say or imply, is that all elders everywhere are automatically overseers, nor does it prevent overseers from being individuals other than elders. This just happened to be the case in Ephesus, and perhaps it was for a reason.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, Peter also urged the elders of certain provinces to \u201cwatch over\u201d the flock, most likely referring to overseeing. Yet, this still doesn\u2019t support the claim that all elders are also overseers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Suppose some retirees in Washington and Florida work as Walmart Greeters. Then are all retirees in the United States Walmart Greeters? Why then do all elders in the church have to be overseers? As far as I know, the Bible doesn\u2019t confirm either way, but rather we\u2019ve made a pattern out of basic information we\u2019ve collected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is not \u201cthree different words to describe the <\/span>same<\/span><\/i> role.\u201d There are distinct meanings and characteristics associated with each word. The common assumption that the terms \u201celder,\u201d \u201coverseer,\u201d and \u201cpastor\u201d are synonymous and interchangeable, reflects a hasty and oversimplified understanding of both the words and the passages.<\/span><\/p>\n So, what <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> an overseer?<\/span><\/p>\n The Greek word<\/span> episkopos (\u03b5\u03c0\u03b9<\/span><\/i>\u03c3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c0\u03cc\u03c2<\/span><\/i>) <\/span><\/i>has been translated in English Bibles as either \u201cbishop\u201d or \u201coverseer.\u201d Therefore, in Scripture, the words \u201cbishop\u201d and \u201coverseer\u201d can be used interchangeably.<\/span><\/p>\n From its use in Greek mythology, ancient Greek government, and also in the Septuagint, an <\/span>episkopos<\/span><\/i> can be best understood as a \u201cprotector of a covenant,\u201d or one with authority, who ensures things go according to the way they\u2019re supposed to. As their primary function, they \u201cwatch-over\u201d or \u201cguard,\u201d while pastors provide direct care. It might be best to describe the differences between the two using an example.<\/span><\/p>\n In the context of a church, a pastor would correspond to a shepherd caring for the flock. An overseer, however, is more comparable to what is known as a <\/span>livestock guardian dog, or \u201cLGD<\/span><\/a>.\u201d A livestock guardian dog (LGD) dwells within the flock, safeguarding it from predators. This is probably why Peter instructs: \u201ctend to the flock of God that is <\/span>among<\/span><\/i> you.\u201d (please note: \u201c<\/span>among<\/span><\/i> you\u201d not a \u201c<\/span>under<\/span><\/i> you\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n It is the joint responsibility of shepherds and LGDs, to tend to the herd, though both have very different roles. While the dogs aren\u2019t considered shepherds, they care for the flock by looking out for the sheep. And although the shepherd may defend the sheep, as David did in an immediate attack (1 Sam. 17:34-37), they can\u2019t be on the lookout for danger 24-7 as LGDs can. There are many other tasks they need to accomplish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, an LGD must be trustworthy, not running off and abandoning the flock at the sight of a \u201cbone,\u201d (a bribe or selfish-gain) or acting aggressively or harmful toward the sheep (Ex. 18:21; 1 Ptr. 5:2-3; 1 Tim. 3:3). To perform their important work, they undergo intense training before they\u2019re stationed alone in the field. This concept of <\/span>episkopos <\/span><\/i>is depicted in Scripture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.\u201d (Acts 20:29-31)\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I\u2019ve written more about <\/span>episkopos<\/span><\/i><\/a> here, which may help you better understand the rest of my point. But the Apostle Paul would have been considered an episkopos, or \u201coverseer,\u201d among his many other roles.<\/span><\/p>\n Similar to an <\/span>episkopos<\/span><\/i> in ancient Greek government, Paul traveled not only to <\/span>establish<\/span><\/i> churches, but he regularly visited them and wrote authoritative letters to them to ensure they were staying on the correct path. This was the purpose of his letter to Timothy.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAlthough I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God\u2019s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.\u201d (1 Tim. 3:14-15)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Paul was not appointed an apostle or overseer by men, but he was given special authority by the King to set up these various churches and help them walk in the ways of the King (Gal. 1:1). He was a chief watcher among the church, who instructed the elders at Ephesus, who were also watchmen among their congregation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So, you see, 1 Timothy 3:2 is about overseeing. It\u2019s not about preaching, teaching, or being a pastor.<\/span><\/p>\n This argument, then\u2014that women can\u2019t preach because they can\u2019t be pastors because they can\u2019t be husbands to a wife\u2014is irrelevant to the discussion about women preachers and teachers, first, because a pastor is not synonymous with an overseer, and also because again, a pastor is different from a preacher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One can be a pastor who preaches or a preacher who doesn\u2019t pastor, and both roles are distinct from that of a watchman or overseer. Therefore, since this passage does not apply, this argument cannot be used to disqualify women from proclaiming the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n1. \u201cA pastor must be the husband of one wife and therefore, only men qualify, since a woman can\u2019t be the husband of a wife.\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n
2. \u201cThere aren\u2019t any women named as pastors in the Bible.\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n