What does the Bible say about female pastors?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• 1 Timothy 2:11-12

  [11] Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. [12] But I don't permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.

• 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

  [34] let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says. [35] If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly.

• 1 Timothy 3:1-7

  [1] This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. [2] The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; [3] not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; [4] one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; [5] (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) [6] not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.

• Titus 1:5-9

  [5] I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; [6] if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. [7] For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; [8] but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober-minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; [9] holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.

• 1 Timothy 2:12

  But I don't permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness.

• 1 Corinthians 14:34

  let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says.

• Titus 2:3-5

  [3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; [4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed.

• 1 Timothy 3:2

  The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;

• Ephesians 5:22-33

  [22] Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. [24] But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; [26] that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, [27] that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. [29] For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; [30] because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. [31] "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh." [32] This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. [33] Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

• Titus 2:1-15

  [1] But say the things which fit sound doctrine, [2] that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: [3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; [4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. [6] Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded; [7] in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, [8] and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. [9] Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; [10] not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. [11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [12] instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; [13] looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; [14] who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. [15] Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.

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