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Pauline Epistle DQ3

Women and leadership are two important issues addressed in the Pauline theology. First,

the role of women in the Pauline theology is controversial considering the contradictions in the

epistles. For example, Paul disputes male supremacy and female subordination in Galatians 3:28,

stating that there is no distinction between male and female in Christ. Furthermore, Romans

16:1-16 underscores the place of women in church leadership by acknowledging the works of

notable female figures that supported Paul’s ministry. Those mentioned include Phoebe, a

deacon; Priscilla and Aquila, Paul’s coworkers in Christ; Mary; Junia; Julia; Tryphena; and

Tryphosa (Scholz, 2013; Wolter, 2015). However, a contradiction arises in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

and 14:33b-36. In 11:2-16, women can pray or prophesy although they must do so with their

heads covered. Paul also alludes to the supremacy of Man by being the image and glory of God

while subordinating women to the glory of man in verses 7-9. 1 Corinthians 14:33b-36 then

makes an enjoiner by charging women to remain silent in churches and the congregations of

saints. Paul emphasizes the message of silence in 1 Timothy 2:8-15, specifically advising women

to learn in full submission and silence (Scholz, 2013).

Paul’s theology about women and church leadership in Romans 16:1-16 and Galatians

3:28 contradicts the one in verses cited in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. Effectively, the verses

referenced in both Romans and Galatians endorse egalitarianism in God through justification in

Christ, implying that gender is not a condition for salvation or participation in church leadership.

Conversely, the verses in both 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy imposes restrictions on women’s

conduct in both worship and leadership. Obedience and subordination seem to be the

underpinning themes in the latter texts (Scholz, 2013). Thus, a pertinent question that emerges is

whether Pauline theology espouses gender equality while disqualifying women from certain
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church and leadership roles based on their gender. The question can be best answered by looking

at the context of the texts instead of interpreting Pauline theology on women and leadership from

a face value. A noteworthy observation is that Paul’s desire was to restore order in the Corinth

church and not disallowing women from taking part in church activities and leadership (Wolter,

2015).
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References

Scholz, D. J. (2013). The Pauline letters: Introducing the New Testament. Anslem Academics

Wolter, M. (2015). Paul: An outline of his theology. Baylor University Press.