Women's Silence in the Church

Some Additional Encouragement

To have rest in our hearts concerning God's structure of authority, I believe it is very important that the sisters are included in such a way that full benefit is made of their grace. Fellowship is key to this. For husband and wife, this fellowship should be experienced daily in the home. A husband should lead in this fellowship, as he thinks and talks with his wife about the purpose of God and how it works out in the daily affairs of their life. If this is done properly, when a husband stands to speak in the assembly, his wife will know that her input has been included, and will take joy in seeing her husband (as her head)express the word of God so that the whole body is edified.

For a single sister who does not have a father in the assembly, this may be more challenging. But I believe there is still a way that she can be a supply according to her grace, receive from others to see her needs met, and still honor God's order. She can seek out fellowship with a brother, together with his wife, where she can have her questions answered and be a supply to the brother of what God is revealing to her. She also might find the word God has given her being expressed through this brother in the assembly in various ways. God will make up what is lacking in natural family relationships in the family of God. (Consider Mark 10:29-31 in this regard.)

One of the main reasons that men and women have often struggled with the plan of God is that truth has not been held in love. Either a "rule" has been established which does not minister grace, or "love" has been defined as letting everyone do what they think is best. It has been said that truth not held in love is no longer truth, and love that does not walk in truth is not love. Both are of God and must be held together. To see the intention of God worked out in a way that brings glory to God takes the Holy Spirit indwelling each member, revelation that only comes from God, and wisdom that is from above (James 3:13-18). All of this means an active relationship with God and spiritual relationships with one another.

Repeating what was said earlier, I believe the real answer to all of this is the cross of Jesus Christ. When we can say with Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ," and there is no longer any desire to express self, I think our spiritual vision will be much clearer. That applies to all brothers and sisters, no matter what grace God has given them. When that is true in our lives, we will be in strong agreement with Paul in this prayer: "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph. 3:20-21).