This is something I’ve been pondering lately. Clearly, the scripture tells us that it is wrong for a woman to preach, to usurp authority over a man.(1 Corinthians 14:34) But, is it wrong for a woman to study the Bible? I decided to consult the Word of God.

Titus 2:2-4 says,

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

This is a clear exhortation to women to be “teachers of good things” to young women. We are to teach them to be sober, to love their husbands and their children. I must ask, how can we learn these traits that we are to impart to others? Not every woman was blessed with a godly mother to teach them these things. There must be an originating source. That source, of course, is the Word of God. I cannot teach that which I do not know. Through God’s Word, I can know love, for I meet the Savior! I can learn discretion, modesty, and, basically, everything  I’ll ever need! His Word gives me a standard by which to measure all other instruction.

There are other biblical examples of women who know the Bible:

• Timothy learned the scriptures from his mother and grandmother – 2 Timothy 1:5
• Aquila and Priscilla taught Apollos – Acts 18:26
• The book of 2 John is written to a lady, to encourage her to cling to truth.

This is more than enough scriptural proof that it is not only acceptable, but vital for women to be familiar with the blessed Word of God!

Here are three practical reasons for doing so:

1. To glean as much as possible from the preaching in the local, New Testament church.
2. To be able to “give an answer to every man that asketh [me] the reason of the hope that is in [me]” (1 Peter 3:15).
3. To have intelligent conversations with my husband at home.

I have been a “Bible reader” for years. But studying the Bible – asking questions and searching for answers within its pages – is a whole other kettle of fish. I want to long for God’s Word more than I do my “necessary food”. (Job 23:12)

With love,