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For many centuries, the issue of women in leadership has been the focus of discussion. In most cultures today, women occupy positions of political, business, and educational leadership, and their social influence is felt in various spheres of society. The Bible’s instructions concerning the church are clear enough: a woman cannot hold a position of spiritual authority over the men in a church (see 1 Timothy 2:12). But what about leadership roles outside of the church? Does the Bible address the larger issue of women in leadership in society?
The Old Testament has examples of female national leaders, such as Deborah in Judges 4—5 and Queen Esther in Esther 4—10. These women were used by God to accomplish His purpose, and in Esther’s case, the implication is that she was “made queen for just such a time” (Esther 4:14). That is, God’s providence installed her in the Persian palace at a critical time in the history of the Jews.
The picture of the “virtuous woman” in Proverbs 31 provides another example of a woman taking a leadership role in society. This woman “of noble character” (verse 1) is involved in several business ventures, and it seems she has total executive control over each of them:
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard (verse 16).
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night (verse 18).
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes (verse 24).
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard (verse 16).
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night (verse 18).
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes (verse 24).
On top of all that, she maintains a large household: “She provides food for her family and portions for her female servants” (Proverbs 31:15). Her husband has a leadership position in society—he “is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land” (verse 23)—and she is a leader in her own right in the city’s commerce.
So, the Old Testament gives several positive examples of women being effective leaders in society. What about the New Testament?
On his second missionary journey, Paul encounters Lydia, “a woman from the city of Thyatira, . . . a dealer in purple cloth” (Acts 16:14). They meet in Philippi, a city in Achaia, but Lydia was from a town in Asia Minor—the inference is that Lydia was doing business internationally. Her merchandise must have sold well, as she had means enough to host Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke during their stay in the region (verse 15).
Priscilla was a tentmaker along with her husband, Aquila. They lived in Corinth when Paul met them. She and her husband both worked with Paul in the business, since tentmaking was Paul’s trade, as well. Later, they moved to Ephesus. While there, Priscilla and Aquila met Apollos, a traveling preacher who had not yet heard the full message of the gospel. The couple “invited [Apollos] to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26).
Both Lydia and Priscilla show themselves to be savvy business leaders who were able to further God’s work by blessing the missionaries and ministers who crossed their paths.
Some people try to use Paul’s writings to support a prohibition against women in leadership of any kind. But using passages such as 1 Timothy 2:12 (“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man,” ESV) to limit women’s role outside the church does disservice to Scripture. Paul’s regulation is specifically designed for ordering a church service. The role of women outside the church is not in view.
There is no biblical reason why a woman cannot serve in a leadership role in society at large. A woman CEO, a female mayor, a lady police chief—all are permissible biblically.
