Browse / Theology / Argument Library
Complementarian 1 Corinthians 12:28 ●●●○○

Does "Appointed" Apply to Women in These Roles?

apostles prophets teachers gifts divine appointment women in ministry egalitarian

Summary

See full content for details.

The Opposing Argument

Complementarian position: The roles listed here may include women in some capacities (e.g., helps, tongues) but not in the governing/teaching roles of apostle, prophet, teacher. Egalitarian response: Paul makes no such distinction in the text. The appointment structure is a single undivided list attributed to one divine agent. To carve out gender-exclusive subcategories requires importing an assumption Paul does not supply. His logic throughout ch. 12-14 is consistently: God gifts → the body needs it → all must be allowed to serve.

Egalitarian Response

Debate: Does "Appointed" Apply to Women in These Roles?

Complementarian position: The roles listed here may include women in some capacities (e.g., helps, tongues) but not in the governing/teaching roles of apostle, prophet, teacher.

Egalitarian response: Paul makes no such distinction in the text. The appointment structure is a single undivided list attributed to one divine agent. To carve out gender-exclusive subcategories requires importing an assumption Paul does not supply. His logic throughout ch. 12-14 is consistently: God gifts → the body needs it → all must be allowed to serve.

Linked Passages (1)

1 Corinthians 12:28 📖 (Explore →)

Primary verse for this claim (1 Corinthians 12:28)

Your Tags

Personal labels you apply to any item — separate from system topics. Tags are shared across all databases. Visit /tags to browse all your tags.

...more

Ask Claude about this