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Church and worship

What does the Bible say about women in ministry?

Scripture shows women prophesying, hosting churches and carrying the first resurrection news, alongside passages that churches read differently. This is one of the areas where sincere Christians disagree.

What Scripture says

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Acts 2:17-18

‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.

Romans 16:1-2

I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae, that you receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.

1 Timothy 2:11-12

Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.

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