Marg Mowczko

Exploring the biblical theology of Christian egalitarianism

Category: Equality in Ministry

Woman’s Authority or Subordination in 1 Corinthians 11:10?

Paul said in 1 Cor. 11:10 that a woman should have “authority on her head.” Whose authority is it?

November 14, 2021 14 Comments

Did Miriam the prophetess only minister to women?

Miriam is identified as a prophet and leader in the Bible, but some say her ministry was only to women. Was this the case? What does the Bible say?

December 24, 2020 4 Comments

Romans 14 and the Divisive Issue of Women Pastors

Paul’s message in Romans 14 has some relevance to the issue of women ministers, an issue that continues to cause division in some sectors of the church.

August 13, 2020 8 Comments

“Holding Up Half the Sky” by Graham Joseph Hill

I was honoured to write a foreword to Graham Hill’s book “Holding Up Half the Sky” where he presents a compelling biblical case for women leading and teaching in the church. I’ve included the foreword in this post.

July 28, 2020 3 Comments

Atto of Vercelli, Hatto of Vercelli, women elders

Atto of Vercelli on Female Priests in the Early Church

Atto, bishop of Vercelli in the 900s, saw in church tradition that women had led churches and were presbyters (priests or elders). He did not think this was a bad thing.

June 30, 2020 12 Comments

Chrysostom on New Testament women ministers

Chrysostom on 5 Women Church Leaders in the NT

John Chrysostom (d. 407) praised Priscilla, Phoebe, Euodia, Syntyche, and Junia, and acknowledged that these five women were leading ministers in their churches.

June 10, 2020 6 Comments

women preachers in the Bible Preaching words in the New Testament

“Preaching” words in the NT and the women who preached

When we understand “preaching” words in the way New Testament authors and understood and used these words we see that some New Testament women preached.

February 17, 2020 30 Comments

Junias and Junia in Early Commentaries of Romans 16:7

Here is a list of over a dozen early and medieval scholars who took Junia’s name in Romans 16:7 to be feminine. Junia was a woman and not Junias, a man.

November 13, 2019 17 Comments

4 obscure passages sometimes used to diminish women

In this article, I look at 4 passages from the Hebrew Bible (Leviticus 27, Numbers 30, Ecclesiastes 7:28, Isaiah 3:12) which are sometimes used to diminish women.

October 23, 2019 31 Comments

3 reasons why it’s a woman, not all women, in 1 Timothy 2:12

Here are 3 reasons why 1 Timothy 2:12 may be about a particular couple in the Ephesian church and not Paul’s general thoughts on women in ministry.

August 28, 2019 55 Comments

Apostle Paul Junia Priscilla Nympha Phoebe Persis Tryphena Tryphosa Labourers

Partnering Together: Paul’s Female Coworkers

Paul included women as ministry partners and used the same ministry terms for his male and female co-workers. He didn’t restricts the ministry of godly and gifted women.

May 1, 2019 11 Comments

1 Corinthians 16:16: A submission verse that applies to women ministers

In 1 Corinthians 16:16, Paul tells the Corinthians to submit themselves to coworkers and labourers. Paul refers to several women by these ministry terms.

November 21, 2018 55 Comments

What Timothy knew about Paul’s theology of ministry, and 1 Timothy 2:12

Timothy well knew Paul’s views on ministry. So it doesn’t make sense that 1 Timothy 2:12ff represents the apostle’s general teaching on women in ministry, a teaching that Timothy needed to be told or reminded of. What’s going on in this verse?

September 11, 2018 19 Comments

women church leaders, Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, Lydia, Chloe, 1 Timothy 3

“Must manage his own household well” (1 Timothy 3:4-5)

Does 1 Timothy 3:4a (“managing his own household well”) show that men, and not women, are to rule or manage their households? What was the role of the first church overseers and bishops?

June 23, 2018 9 Comments

Joanna apostle Junia woman prison missionary

Junia: The Jewish Woman who was Imprisoned with Paul

This article looks at Junia, a Christian missionary mentioned in Romans 16:7 who was persecuted for her faith and may have known Jesus personally. Was she also known as Joanna?

June 10, 2018 24 Comments

Mosaic of Paul presenting Praxedes to Christ

Paul on Gender Roles in Ministry and Marriage

A few verses in Paul’s letters are frequently cited by Christians who exclude women from some ministries. Did Paul really restrict women in either ministry or marriage? This is part 3 of a series on gender roles in the Bible.

June 2, 2018 7 Comments

Jesus on Gender Roles and Gendered Activities

Does Jesus give instructions about gender roles as complementarians understand them? What does Jesus teach and say to women in the Gospels? This is part 2 in a series of gender roles in the Bible.

May 29, 2018 10 Comments

complementarianism, egalitarianism, gender roles, authority

The authority of police officers, ship’s captains, and men

In this short post, I respond to a reader’s question about how the authority of police officers is used as an analogy by some complementarians to support male-only authority in the church.

May 12, 2018 31 Comments

Lydia of Thyatira: The founding member of the Philippian Church

Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:14ff), and women like her, were vital and strategic players at the forefront of the expanding Christian mission.

November 30, 2017 32 Comments

ordination, authority, Twelve Apostles, priests, women ministers

Video Series: Should Women Teach in Church?

Here are four short clever videos which look at 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-14 and intelligently discuss whether women can teach in church.

February 18, 2017 28 Comments

Fresco of literate first century woman, Pompeii

Were there women elders in New Testament churches?

Three times this past week I’ve been in online conversations where a person has stated that women were not leaders or elders in early churches. Was this really the case?

January 9, 2017 43 Comments

Two Brave Women in 2 Samuel 17

This post is about two brave unnamed women mentioned in 2 Samuel 17 who each risked their lives to help King David’s, and God’s, cause.

June 28, 2016 12 Comments

Qualified for Every Good Work (2 Tim. 2:2; 3:16-17)

A good understanding of scripture is an important qualification for many Christian ministries. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 mentions this qualification and does not exclude women, women like Priscilla.

January 31, 2016 6 Comments

The means of ministry Romans 12:6-8 dons fe Romanos 12

The Means of Ministry: Gifts, Grace, Faith . . . Gender?

If Paul had meant for only men to be leaders and teachers, why doesn’t he mention this in his lists of ministries in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Ephesians 4:11?

November 22, 2015 18 Comments

Church cultures that include and exclude women leaders

A poor understanding of church culture in the first century is one reason why some deny that women were leaders in some churches.

October 25, 2015 21 Comments

Prominent Biblical Scholars on Women in Ministry

Craig Keener, Leon Morris, F.F. Bruce, and many more well-respected biblical scholars can hardly be accused of playing loose with the scriptures, but they all believed that suitably gifted women can be leaders and teachers in the church.

June 30, 2015 113 Comments

Woman Created for Man (1 Cor. 11:9), in a Nutshell

How are we to understand “man was not created for woman, but woman for man”? Does 1 Corinthians 11:9 indicate that service or submission is the role of women and not men?

January 26, 2015 21 Comments

Febe una diácono de la Iglesia en Cencrea

(7) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea

This is a summary of the previous 6 parts. Paul was not reticent about using the same ministry terms (or titles), including deacon, for both men and women ministers.

November 26, 2014 1 Comment

(1) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea

Here I look at Paul’s introduction of Phoebe to the church at Rome. I also look at the ministry of certain women in the Gospels, and Tabitha’s ministry in Acts, and compare them with Phoebe’s ministry.

November 12, 2014 7 Comments

egalitarianism, equality, egalitarian, Christian

My Perspective of Christian Egalitarianism

Some Christians have a mistaken view of our mutuality, or equality, in Christ. In this post, I briefly explain my perspective of Christian Egalitarianism

October 20, 2014 45 Comments

The First Century Church & the Ministry of Women

It is helpful to have some insight into the values and customs of the first Christians. In this article I provide a brief overview of church life in the first century and I highlight the ministry contributions of women.

October 8, 2014 9 Comments

“Go and work in my vineyard” (Matthew 20:1-16)

In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard workers and points out that there is equality in his kingdom. To those who have so far been sidelined, Jesus says “Go work in my vineyard.”

February 18, 2014 4 Comments

Paul and women believing wife sister woman 1 Corinthians 9 Paul Peter Grapte

Believing Wives and Female Co-workers of the Apostles

Does Paul refer to wives of apostles or female coworkers of apostles in 1 Corinthians 9:5? Was their role companionship or teaching Christian doctrine?

February 14, 2014 2 Comments

The Apostolic Ministry of Gospel Women

John the Evangelist chose his words carefully when describing the ministry of certain apostolic women in his Gospel, women such as Mary Magdalene. [500 words]

January 18, 2014 9 Comments

Likewise women . . . likewise husbands . . .

Ignoring or highlighting the word “likewise” makes a big difference in how we understand certain New Testament passages that affect women.

November 14, 2013 22 Comments

15 reasons why I support women in church leadership

There are many Bible verses that show women teaching and leading. Here are 15 of them, 15 reasons why I support women in church leadership.

July 28, 2013 24 Comments

Wade Burleson on Christian Leadership in Hebrews 13

In this post I link to a video where Wade Burleson explains that there is no Greek word for “over” in the verses about church leaders in Hebrews chapter 13.

July 22, 2013 1 Comment

“Busy at Home”: How does Titus 2:4-5 apply today?

What are the timeless principles in Paul’s instruction in Titus 2:4-5 about the young wives at Crete? Why did he want them to be workers (or keepers) at home?

June 11, 2013 45 Comments

1 Timothy 2:12 in Context (1): Introduction

This 5-part series takes a close look at 1 Timothy 2:12, at what it does and doesn’t say, as well as providing some cultural context. Part 1 looks at the pitfalls of using 1 Timothy 2:12 as a proof text.

April 17, 2013 7 Comments

1 Timothy 2:12 in Context (3): The Heresy in Ephesus

Paul’s main purpose for writing First Timothy was to address the heresy in the Ephesian Church, possibly a precursor to Gnosticism.

April 17, 2013 10 Comments

1 Timothy 2:12 in Context (4): Phrase by Phrase

In Part 4 we begin looking at 1 Timothy 2:11-15, verse by verse, phrase by phrase.

April 17, 2013 23 Comments

1 Timothy 2:12 in Context (5): Eve’s Creation and Salvation

Why are Adam and Eve mentioned immediately after Paul’s prohibition in 1 Timothy 2:12? What does Paul mean by salvation and childbirth in 1 Timothy 2:15?

April 17, 2013 18 Comments

Who will roll away the stone?

Mary Magdalene and some other women knew a large stone had been rolled in front of the entrance to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid. They went to the tomb anyway. [300 words]

April 1, 2013 2 Comments

Equality and Unity in Ministry: 1 Corinthians 12

In this article, I look at Paul’s statements of equality and unity in ministry from 1 Corinthians chapter 12, including his instruction to give more honour to those lacking it.

March 30, 2013 No Comments

ordination priesthood authority pulpit women ministers

A Collection of Articles on the Male Priesthood & Women Ministers

Here are links to several articles that look at arguments related to the idea of a male-only priesthood, arguments that keep women out of church leadership.

March 25, 2013 4 Comments

10 ten reasons men should not be pastors church leaders

Ten Reasons Men Should Not Be Ordained as Ministers

According to the late Dr David M. Scholer, a former New Testament professor at Fuller, here are the top ten reasons men should not be ordained as ministers.

March 22, 2013 3 Comments

Michael Bird on inconsistent complementarian attitudes to women teachers

In this post I quote Michael Bird who notes discrepancies between the ideology and practice of some complementarians regarding women teaching men.

February 1, 2013 18 Comments

A Critique of John Dickson’s “Hearing Her Voice”

In his 2012 book “Hearing Her Voice,” scholar and minister John Dickson argues that women can speak in church meetings: women can preach, exhort, exposit Scripture, prophecy, pray, etc.

January 16, 2013 9 Comments