Negative data: all twelve apostles were men

Jesus chose 12 apostles and they were all male. This is not a command ('only men can be apostles') but an example/pattern. The apostles called 'pillars' are all male. All clearly identified apostles except possibly Junia (whom Mike thinks was not one) are male. When combined with explicit teaching about male-only eldership, there is consistency across old and new testaments that the highest spiritual leadership roles are occupied by men.