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Leadership within a local congregation is of vital concern, both to the Lord and to His people.
We know that God is concerned about leadership because of all He has said regarding it. It is
axiomatic, therefore, that His people must be concerned about it as well. The reason that sound,
Biblical, and qualified leadership is so important is that without it, the local church cannot
function properly, either in its worship or its service, and be pleasing to God.
The various articles in this month's publication are all aimed at discussing the role of women within a local church setting. Of paramount interest then is how she may qualify for various leadership roles, and what she has authority from God to do. This present article wants to answer the question that is our title: "May A Woman Translate A Public Sermon For A Gospel Preacher To An Audience That Has Men Present?" There are two answers to this question: a short and a long answer. Let us consider the long answer first. Nearly all instruction found within the New Testament is addressed or directed toward both men and women. For example, Paul told Timothy, "Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17 ASV). The "man" of verse 17 is the Greek word for mankind, and in this text would certainly apply to any and all who would be God's person, male and female. All people are to be perfected by the word of God. When it comes to salvation, Heaven, and eternity, there is no distinction with God. After all, God "would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4 ASV). Therefore, "there can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28 ASV), because "For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13). Some instruction is for men only. Paul wrote, "I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing" (1 Timothy 2:8 ASV). This time, the "men" is with reference to gender specifically. Those who are males only have this responsibility. But, in Titus 2:3-4 it is quite obvious that females are in view. Consider, Paul said "that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [to be] sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." In all that God has said regarding the roles and places to fill and serve, never is a question of superiority nor inferiority in view. Rather, these are questions of role and duty as designed by God Himself. There are two texts in particular that are significant and necessary to answer our question about women translating spiritual instruction to audiences wherein men would be in attendance, listening to her and learning from her. These are First Timothy 2 and First Corinthians 14. We have already glanced at the reference in First Timothy, and it is important to our study in two ways. The first is the phrase "in every place." Some think that where a woman would do well to allow men to lead in various public settings, like worship, she may at least be permitted to lead in more private settings like a Bible study or even in prayer, if only a few are present. Paul told Timothy clearly that in all settings where spiritual activities are taking place, a woman is not to lead. The second point Paul made to Timothy is that women are not in any place or setting to usurp authority (or more correctly, "have dominion") over the men in such spiritual settings and actions. Now, our second text to which we turn is First Corinthians 14. This chapter falls within the section of When we put these two texts together, we learn that when spiritual instruction and spiritual activities are taking place, women are to be silent and not to have dominion over men in any way, but especially within the realm of teaching and preaching. Now, when we apply this teaching of our Lord to the question at hand, we must understand that the work of translating sermons falls within the purview of both texts. Her work of translating (albeit accurate), violates First Corinthians 14 because she is not being silent while spiritual instruction is taking place. Her speaking in this work is called a shame by Paul (1 Corinthians 14:35). Likewise, she violates First Timothy 2 by virtue of the fact that her work of translating, in concert with the preacher preaching, is an action wherein she is having dominion over the men present who are listening to her and learning from her. Paul does not permit this (1 Timothy 2:12). She is to learn (v. 11) not teach (v. 12). The short answer to our titled question, "May A Woman Translate A Public Sermon To A Gospel Preacher?" No, she may not — not with God's approval. |