INTRO: The Culture Is Loud—But Is the Bible Clear?
This world is obsessed with inclusion or equal opportunity to participate. Because of this world, the churches are under pressure to change their doctrine and the way they are foundationally structured.
One of the most heated issues today is women in church leadership—specifically as pastors and even deacons. But our job isn’t to ask what feels right—it’s to ask: What saith the scripture?
Romans 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
This sermon will walk through every single verse people use to support female pastors—and then clearly explain what God says against it.
PART 1: The Verses People Misuse to Justify Women Pastors
1. Galatians 3:28
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Misuse: People say this means roles are erased—women can do anything men can do in the church.
Contextual Truth:
- This is about salvation—not roles in the church.
- It does not teach that all distinctions are abolished—just as we still have employers (bond) and employees (free). Not everyone is the manager at a workplace.
Even though we are all equally saved and equally children of God, this doesn’t mean we all have the same roles or authority. For example, I am not the mother of my children. “But I want to be.” I can’t be the mother of my children. I am their father. Just as I can’t be a mother, a woman can’t be a pastor according to God.
Key Point: Spiritual equality in value doesn’t mean sameness in responsibility or role. It just doesn’t.
2. Acts 2:17–18 (and Joel 2:28–29)
Acts 2:17-18
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Misuse: People say this shows women should be pastors.
Contextual Truth:
- Prophesying ≠ pastoring.
- Philip’s daughters prophesied (Acts 21:9), but never pastored.
- No woman in the Bible was ever called a pastor or bishop.
Acts 21:8-9
And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
The were preaching the word of God but the Bible never says they did this in church, while leading a church, while being a pastor of a church, or anything like that.
If a women wants to preach the word of God, and they should, it’s not to be as the pastor or deacon in a church and not at a pulpit or in front of the church.
Key Point: Prophecy was a spiritual gift, not an office of authority in the local church. Again, none of these Scriptures say a woman was leading or pastoring a church.
3. Romans 16:1–2 – Phoebe the Servant
Romans 16:1-2
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
Misuse: Some versions wrongly translate “servant” as “deacon,” claiming Phoebe was a female pastor or deacon.
Here’s the NIV: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon, of the church in Cenchreae.”
This is why we don’t use the NIV because this contradicts the rest of the Bible. The NIV is a devil version. A deacon must be the husband of one wife, A MAN. The King James Version (KJV) translates Phoebe as a servant of the church. Women are to be servants of the church – not holding the office of deacon.
We do not use any other Bible version here BUT the King James Version. Other versions are not allowed in the doors. The corrupted versions will lead to confusion, doctrinal issues, lies, fighting, and more.
Contextual Truth:
- The Greek word diakonos means servant, not an ordained office here.
- There is no mention of her leading, preaching, or having authority over men.
The underlying word for servant is diakonos in the Greek. It is not always translated as deacon. It’s translated in the KJV 31 times. Check out this table:
| Diakonos | Number of Times |
| ministers | 20 |
| servants | 8 |
| deacons | 3 |
Out of 31 times we see the underlying Greek word diakonos, it is only translated as the office of a deacon three different times. The majority of the time it I translated as minister and servant. Here’s an example:
Matthew 23:10-11
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
That Scripture is in Matthew long before the office of a deacon was implemented into the New Testament church. The word doesn’t always mean the office of a deacon. But people will try to say Phoebe was in the office of a deacon. Versions like the NIV are clearly trying to cause confusion and evil within God’s churches. If you have an NIV, burn it.
Key Point: Phoebe was a godly woman who served—but not as a pastor or as a deacon. Only men serve in the two offices within a church: pastor and deacon. God made the rules. If you don’t like them, you can tell him.
4. Judges 4 – Deborah the Judge
Judges 4:4-5
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Misuse: People claim Deborah’s role justifies female leadership within the New Testament church.
Contextual Truth:
- Deborah was a judge, not a priest or pastor.
- God raised her up in a time when men failed (see Barak).
- It was an exception. She wasn’t a pastor or a deacon.
We go all the way back to Judges in the Old Testament – long before the first pastors and deacons of New Testament churches were seen. People are grasping for whatever they can find in order to approve of women leading churches. This Scripture doesn’t apply at all, but people will still attempt to use this.
Key Point: Just because God used a woman doesn’t mean God endorses women in the office of a pastor. He doesn’t. It’s crystal clear within the Bible. There is not one verse in the Bible that says a woman is a pastor or can be a pastor.
5. John 4 – The Woman at the Well
John 4:39
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
Misuse: People say the Samaritan woman became a preacher.
Contextual Truth:
- She gave a testimony—not a sermon within a church.
- Telling someone about Jesus is not pastoring a church.
I personally can’t understand how people are using these Scriptures to say that a woman can be a pastor in a church. We have women preaching Jesus Christ outside of this church and inside of this church – but not during the sermons. A woman cannot hold a position in either one of the church offices.
6. Priscilla (Acts 18:26)
Acts 18:26
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Misuse: Some say Priscilla taught Apollos so that means women can be pastors. Foolishness.
Contextual Truth:
- She and her husband together explained doctrine privately—not preaching within a church.
- This was not public preaching or church leadership.
Again, more deception and misuse of the Scriptures. None of these Scriptures that we’ve been over prove that a woman can hold the office of pastor or deacon within a church. After thorough examination, you can see they are simply grasping at straws. They try to find any possible argument. But it’s not there.
7. Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2:36-38)
Luke 2:36-38
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Misuse: People will claim Anna was a prophetess in the temple so women can preach in the New Testament churches.
Contextual Truth:
- This wasn’t a New Testament church. This doesn’t say she preached within the temple to people. The temple was more than inside the building too. There were temple courts too.
- The Bible doesn’t say she preached in an assembly of people or gathering of people. I believe she was a soul winner or witness to people just as we have here. Women preach the Gospel within this church.
You can look at the Scriptures yourself. Anna wasn’t a pastor or a deacon leading a church.
8. Miriam (Micah 6:4)
Micah 6:4
For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
Misuse: People will claim Miriam was a leader alongside Moses and Aaron so women can be pastors in churches.
Contextual Truth:
- Miriam was a prophetess and a singer, not a priest or leader over Israel.
- She led the women in praise of God, not in doctrine or authority in a church.
Again, this is grasping at something that isn’t there. Miriam was a leader within the women, but she wasn’t a pastor or a deacon or a leader within a church. Later, God rebukes her for stepping out of order. She receives a punishment for going against Moses.
9. The Proverbs 31 Woman (Proverbs 31:26)
Proverbs 31:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Misuse: Women are to teach wisdom, so they can teach in church.
Contextual Truth:
- This is about a virtuous woman in the home, not a church leader.
- The context is her household, her children, and her husband—not public preaching.
Again, it’s obvious what people are doing. This has nothing to do with being a pastor within a church.
10. Esther (Esther 2:16)
Esther 2:16
So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Misuse: Esther led a nation and saved God’s people. Women should lead in church too.
Contextual Truth:
- Esther was a queen, not a pastor. God used her in a political setting, not within a church.
- This again is an example of God using women outside of church authority. She wasn’t the authority within a church.
More Examples People May Try to Use
2 John 1
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
Was this woman a pastor? Of course not. Elect lady means godly woman or as a local church. Zero evidence she had any pastoral authority in a church.
Luke 8:2-3
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
People will claim these women were in ministry with Jesus so they were spiritual leaders. Hey, they provided support and not spiritual instruction to a church. The served behind the scenes. They didn’t preach, teach the men, or exercise authority within a church. This is in Luke.
Acts 18:18
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
This is how silly it gets. People will claim that since Priscilla’s name is listed first, women can be pastors. And there’s more than this, but it gets sillier and sillier. Now, let’s move to the crystal clear proof that women cannot be pastors within a church.
PART 2: The Verses That Clearly Forbid Women Pastors
1. 1 Timothy 2:11–12
1 Timothy 2:11-12
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.
Key Doctrines:
- Silence means no public preaching in the church.
- Usurping authority = trying to lead or take the office of a man.
- Paul says, “I suffer not” = I do not permit. This is spoken through the Holy Spirit.
2. 1 Corinthians 14:34–35
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Key Doctrines:
- This was written to the entire church at Corinth, not just one situation.
- It is called a shame—God views it as improper.
- While preaching by the pastors or deacons is being done, women are not to speak. God says, “For it is not permitted unto them to speak. For it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
- So, while I am preaching here, women are not to speak. The men can speak. The men should say Amen to the preaching. But, according to God, women do not speak while the public preaching of God’s word is being done.
- If women are to be silent in the churches, how could they be pastors and deacons? They can’t be.
3. 1 Timothy 3:1–7 – Qualifications for a Pastor (Bishop)
1 Timothy 3:2
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Key Point:
- A pastor must be a man—a “husband.”
- No woman can fulfill this role biblically. It’s absolutely impossible.
4. Titus 1:5–9 (Qualifications for a Pastor Continued)
Titus 1:5-6
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
Also outlines that elders/pastors are men.
- Same requirement: “husband of one wife”
- Must be able to rebuke, exhort—this is public, authoritative teaching.
- Women are to be silent during this public time of preaching.
5. Ephesians 5:23 (The Husband is the Head of the Wife)
Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Key Point:
- God’s order: Christ → Man → Woman
- A woman leading a church violates God’s established headship.
6. Genesis 3:16 (The Husband Rules Over the Wife)
Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Key Point:
- God’s design from the beginning is that men lead, women support.
- The woman was created to be the helper of the man. Women will be the happiest when they fulfill this purpose. Men will be happiest when they fulfill their purpose.
7. Isaiah 3:12 (A Judgment)
Isaiah 3:12
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
Key Point:
- Women ruling was a sign of judgment, not blessing.
- Make sure you see that. Women are not to be leading churches. Women rule over them. They which lead thee cause thee to err. The women out there who are pastors are showing how disobedient they are to God and leading the people to do the same.
APPLICATION: What About Women in the Church?
Women are incredibly important in the church—but not as pastors.
They can:
- Teach children (2 Tim. 3:15)
- Teach younger women (Titus 2:4)
- Serve the church (Romans 16:1–2)
- Open their homes (Acts 16:14–15)
- Be soulwinners (John 4:29)
But Pastor? Bishop? Elder? Deacon? — those are never once given to women in Scripture.
CONCLUSION: Obedience or Rebellion?
This isn’t about equality—it’s about obedience.
1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Obeying God is better than sacrifice.
Rejecting God’s order leads to disorder, false doctrine, and judgment. We want to please God here. We don’t want to be under his judgment because we do wrong.
Let the church of God stand firm:
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Women will not be pastors or deacons here in this church.
Let’s pray.
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