St. Francis of Assisi is quoted as saying, “Preach always, when necessary use words.” It was this quote that kept me from imploding during my two years at a “preaching school.”

Although I never spoke in chapel, never gave a Wednesday night devotional, and never spoke at a Gospel Meeting, I often thought about what spreading the gospel truly implied. Ironically, I heard more than one lesson given on the commonly heard phrase, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” One day a student abruptly asked me, “What are you doing here? You don’t even preach!” Admittedly, the young man was not in a good mood that day; but my heart still ached, not so much for myself but for all the women who had been told similar things by men who “were not in a good mood that day.” It also made me study more about God’s role for women.

God is infinitely wise. He created things in perfect harmony. Even before sin entered the world, woman was created “for man.” Even before the fall, woman was given a specific role in relationship to the man.

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18

Her role was not her curse.

Her role was specifically given to complement her design. Women are generally more trusting, emotional, and vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with these characteristics. In fact, they are what make women a vital part of the family and social unit. Yet with these characteristics comes a greater need for protection.

Reasons For A Woman’s Role

”But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (I Timothy 2:12-14).

Here we see two reasons for a woman’s role to be different in the church:

She was created after the man.

She was more vulnerable to the temptation and consequently was deceived.

Men have a public role to fill (i.e. preaching, public prayer, etc.). Yet Paul wanted women to understand their unique and valuable role. He wished for women to have a role that was in “like manner.” But the “like manner” was in objective and not in procedure!

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. ? Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (I Timothy 2:9-11, 15).

As a single woman I have a great responsibility:

I must dress in a modest way.

I must have the internal qualities of shamefacedness and sobriety.

I must not be distracting in my “accessories.”

I must live a life of good works.

I must understand my role of silence and subjection to those in authority.

But what about the children?

The original meaning of the word childbearing implies “the performance of maternal duties” (cf. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

The People’s New Testament Commentary states:

“The apostle means here, that women will be saved in the line of their duties, and that those duties are domestic rather than public.”

Yet the commentator does not ignore the end of this verse:

“Domestic duties will not save unless to these are added the graces of a holy life.” (See 15b.)

How does this verse relate to the earlier quote?

“Preach always”

The salvation of humanity truly rests in the proclamation of the Word of God. I find it amazing that while the role of a man in the salvation of souls is more public, the private role of a woman is equally important and regarded by the Lord.

“When necessary use words”

Do you find it as amazing as I do, that if a woman lives a life that is pleasing to the Lord, and if she is faithful to her feminine duties, she will preach without having to use words?

“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation (behavior -ASV) of the wives” (1 Peter 3:1).

This is where the responsibility lies:

Married with children, married without children, or single: A woman must:

be sober

love her husband (or be taught to love her future husband)

love her children (or be taught how to love her children)

be discreet

be chaste

be a keeper at home (or be taught how to run a home – I Timothy 5:14)

be good

be obedient to her own husband (or be taught how to be obedient)

Preaching Without Words

Most importantly, a woman (no matter what her situation in life) has such an ability to “preach without words,” that she may not be aware of how clearly her “sermon” is being heard. A preacher is not expected to give impromptu sermons every Sunday morning. In fact, we expect a preacher to study, prepare, edit, and fine-tune his sermons. When a preacher delivers a sermon he is aware of what he is doing. And if he is prepared, he is able to read his notes and find his place at any point in the delivery. His sermon generally is judged by what he presented during his 30 minutes in the pulpit.

On the other hand, a woman professing to be a Christian must present her “silent sermon” in accordance to God’s Word at any given moment. Women are warned to live proper lifestyles so “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Just as a preacher has the solemn responsibility not to disgrace the Word of God in his preaching, the woman has the responsibility not to blaspheme the Word of God in her living! (Titus 2:4-5).

Personally, this verse (Titus 2:4f) scares me! Whether I want it or not, my life is an open book. Yet it also gives me great hope as a woman! I can choose what type of book is being preached from. Like a preacher, I can chose to deliver a worldly and secular “sermon,” or I can deliver a “sermon” that draws those around me closer to God. I have a choice in how I present the Word of God. I have the ability to “preach without words!”

Our role as women is unique. Our role as women is defined. Our role as women is a powerful tool that can impact the lives of all those with whom we interact.

Our role as women can be a beautiful and silent “sermon.” Although we may not say a word from the pulpit, the world sees our “sermon” and God is therefore given the glory!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

REFERENCES

The People's New Testament, Bible Explorer 3, www.bible-explorer.com or if you use a MacIntosh, you can access this commentary at Bible Tools: http://bibletools.org//index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/29732/eVerseID/29732/RTD/pcnt

Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary, Bible Explorer 3, www.bible-explorer.com

W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, (http://www.antioch.com.sg/cgi-bin/bible/vines/get_defn.pl?num=0452#A2) (number 9).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nikki Derouin is a graduate of the Southwest School of Bible Studies and is presently enrolled in the Graduate School correspondence program. She is currently working with her family in Webster, WI. Nikki loves writing and teaching children’s Bible classes. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, and decorating cakes for family and friends.

Nikki has written other articles published online for the On Line Bible Class—Ladies' Daily Devotional (http://www.stgcoc.com/i_s_b_s__ladies_daily_devo__archives.htm) This one first appeared there on May 31, 2007. http://www.stgcoc.com/saved_in_childbearing.htm

Other references recommended by the editor:

Wayne Jackson, Before I Die, Paul’s Letters to Timothy and Titus, (2007) Stockton CA: Christian Courier Publications, (p.63-78)

Wayne Jackson, What Role Does “Child-bearing” Play in the Role of Woman’s Salvation? http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/what_role_does_child_bearing_play_in_womans_salvation