In our previous post we saw some of the things Paul said about women in the church. Now, let’s look at Paul in practice.

"And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, a man of eloquence, being mighty in the Writings, came to Ephesus, this one was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the Spirit, was speaking and teaching exactly the things about the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John; this one also began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Aquilas and Priscilla having heard of him, took him to them, and did more exactly expound to him the way of God." (Acts 18:24-26)

Here we see an example of a woman, Priscilla, obviously teaching ad exhorting a man. Moreover, in II Timothy 4:19 Paul mentions Priscilla first when greeting her and her husband. This would be a bit unusual if Priscilla had no place in ministry.

"and on the morrow Paul and his company having gone forth, we came to Caesarea, and having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist who is of the seven, we remained with him, and this one had four daughters, virgins, prophesying." (Acts 21:8-9)

Here we see the daughters of Philip prophesying. Plainly, they were not keeping silent in the presence of men.

"And I commend you to Phebe our sister being a ministrant of the assembly that is in Cenchrea that ye may receive her in the Lord, as doth become saints, and may assist her in whatever matter she may have need of you for she also became a leader of many, and of myself."

Salute Priscilla and Aquilas, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus. (Rom 16:1-3 YLT)

In this passage Paul speaks of Phebe,a woman, as a leader in the assembly at Cenchrea. Again he speaks of Priscilla as a fellow workman in Christ Jesus.

"salute Andronicus and Junias, my kindred, and my fellow-captives, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me." (Romans 16:7 YLT)

There is some debate over this passage. Most literal translations such as Young's and Rotherham's put a woman's name, Junias, in this verse. This would mean that Paul recognized a woman apostle. However, some translations put the name Junia, a man’s name, in place of Junias.

I Corinthians 1:11 and Acts 12:12 mention house churches residing at the houses of Chloe and Mark's mother. Whether this means they were in authority is uncertain.

"salute ye those in Laodicea brethren, and Nymphas, and the assembly in his house." (Col 4:15)

Some texts translate this "... and Nymphas, and the assembly in her house."

"Euodia I exhort, and Syntyche I exhort, to be of the same mind in the Lord; and I ask also thee, genuine yoke-fellow, be assisting those women who in the good news did strive along with me, with Clement also, and the others, my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life." (Phil 4:2-3)

Here we see two women evangelists Euodia and Syntyche.

Obviously, Paul recognized women who taught, prophesied to, and evangelized men. Was Paul saying one thing and then doing another? Would it surprise you that there are other places in the New Testament where Paul seemingly said one thing and then did another? For example, to the Galatians he spoke of the worthlessness of circumcision, yet in Acts 16 Paul has Timothy circumcised because of the Jews. Paul says in Philippians that he cast aside those things which he once counted as righteousness. Yet, in Acts 21 we see him going through purification rituals in the temple.

Was Paul two faced, saying one thing and then doing another? Was he hypocritical in his relationships with women? In our next posts we will see that Paul was not at all contradictory in what he said and did. In fact, there was a very important reason for his behavior. When we understand that reason, it will help us understand Paul's difficult statements concerning women.