The early church wasn’t just led by men—women played a much bigger role than many realize. From Mary Magdalene, the first to witness and proclaim the resurrection, to Junia, whom Paul calls “outstanding among the apostles” (Romans 16:7), Scripture shows that women weren’t just helpers; they were leaders, teachers, and apostles in their own right. Paul’s letters also mention women like Phoebe, a deacon, and Priscilla, who taught a gifted male preacher—clear signs that spiritual authority wasn’t limited by gender in the early Christian movement.
Tradition and cultural bias have long overshadowed these truths, but when we look directly at the biblical text and early church context, a different picture emerges—one where women were essential to spreading the gospel and leading the church. If you’re curious about what the Bible really says about women in leadership and how it challenges long-held assumptions, keep reading for a deeper dive.
For centuries, the question of whether women served as apostles in the early church has sparked debate among scholars, theologians, and everyday Christians alike. If you’ve ever wondered where women really fit into the leadership of the early church, you’re not alone—and the Bible has more to say than most people realize.
Let’s dive in and re-examine the evidence—biblical, historical, and cultural—that can help us answer one big question: Were women apostles?
1. Defining “Apostle”
Before we get into whether women were apostles, we need to define the word.
In Greek, apostolos simply means “one who is sent.” In the New Testament, “apostle” has a few meanings:
- The Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:13) – the original disciples Jesus chose, including Peter, James, John, and others.
- Paul, the Apostle – not one of the Twelve, but clearly identified as an apostle (Romans 1:1).
- Other “sent ones” – messengers sent by churches or by God (like Barnabas in Acts 14:14).
So being an apostle wasn’t always exclusive to the Twelve. That’s important.
2. Women in Jesus’ Ministry
Jesus broke cultural norms by including women in His ministry. In a time when women weren’t even allowed to testify in court, He welcomed their presence, taught them directly, and praised their faith publicly.
Key Examples:
- Mary Magdalene – She traveled with Jesus, supported His ministry financially (Luke 8:1–3), and was the first person to see Him after the resurrection (John 20:16–18). Jesus sent her to tell the disciples—essentially making her the first witness to the risen Christ.
- Martha – Engaged in theological conversation with Jesus about the resurrection (John 11:21–27).
- The women at the tomb – All four Gospels record that women were first to discover the empty tomb and proclaim the resurrection.
Mary Magdalene is sometimes called “the apostle to the apostles” because Jesus sent her to tell the others He was alive. That’s not a stretch—it’s literally what the word “apostle” means.
3. Junia: A Female Apostle?
Now we come to one of the most overlooked but important passages in this discussion.
“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” – Romans 16:7 (NIV)
Here’s why this verse matters:
- Junia is a woman. Early manuscripts and Church Fathers (like John Chrysostom) affirm this.
- Paul says she was “outstanding among the apostles.”
- Some translations have tried to change her name to “Junias” (a male name), but there’s no evidence that “Junias” existed as a male name in the ancient world. “Junia” was common—and always female.
This suggests that Paul himself acknowledged a woman—Junia—as an apostle.
4. Other Women in Leadership Roles
While not all of them are called “apostles,” several women held significant leadership roles in the early church.
Notable Women:
- Phoebe (Romans 16:1–2) – A deacon (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae. Paul entrusted her with delivering his letter to the Romans. She likely explained it to them as well.
- Priscilla (Acts 18:24–26) – Taught Apollos, a gifted speaker, and corrected his theology—alongside her husband Aquila.
- Lydia (Acts 16:14–15) – A wealthy businesswoman who hosted Paul and helped launch the church in Philippi.
- Tryphena and Tryphosa (Romans 16:12) – Described by Paul as women “who work hard in the Lord,” a phrase often used for ministry leaders.
These women weren’t just helpers. They were co-laborers, teachers, and patrons of the gospel.
5. Why the Debate?
So if women like Junia existed, why is this still a debate?
Cultural Influence
The early church was born in a patriarchal world. Over time, as Christianity spread into Greco-Roman and later Western cultures, the roles of women were minimized to reflect the societies they were in.
Church Tradition
By the 3rd and 4th centuries, formal church offices became more hierarchical—and more male-dominated. As a result:
- Junia’s name was masculinized.
- Female leaders were reinterpreted as mere assistants.
- Scriptures highlighting women’s roles were downplayed.
But the early evidence is clear: women were active, respected leaders in the first-century church.
6. Addressing 1 Timothy 2:12
You might be thinking, “What about where Paul says women shouldn’t teach or have authority over men?”
That’s from 1 Timothy 2:12, which says:
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”
A few things to know:
- The context is specific. Paul is writing to Timothy about issues in Ephesus—a city known for the temple of Artemis, where female-led cults caused problems.
- The Greek word for “authority” here (authentein) is rare and may imply a domineering or abusive kind of leadership—not general authority.
- Paul uses women like Priscilla and Phoebe as positive examples elsewhere. He wouldn’t contradict himself.
In short: this verse doesn’t erase all the others. It needs to be read with care and context.
7. What Does This Mean for Us Today?
Understanding that women were apostles and leaders in the early church should challenge us to rethink modern limitations.
It means:
- Women have always had a vital role in spreading the gospel.
- Leadership in the church was based on calling and gifting—not gender.
- We’re called to recognize and support all believers, male or female, who serve the Kingdom.
Final Thoughts
So, were women apostles? Based on biblical evidence—especially Romans 16:7—the answer is yes.
More importantly, the early church included women in powerful roles: apostles, teachers, deacons, patrons, and prophets. If we ignore that, we miss part of the gospel story.
Don’t settle for a narrow version of church history. Let the full story of Scripture shape your view—not just tradition. Women were at the heart of the early church, and they still are today.
Quick Recap
- Apostle means “sent one.” Not limited to the Twelve.
- Junia was a female apostle—affirmed by Paul.
- Mary Magdalene was the first witness to the resurrection.
- Phoebe, Priscilla, Lydia, and others led, taught, and planted churches.
- Context matters when interpreting Paul’s more restrictive verses.
- Church history has often downplayed women’s roles—but Scripture doesn’t.
If you’re exploring church leadership, women in ministry, or the history of early Christianity, start by digging into Romans 16. You’ll find more women there than most church history books mention.
And that says a lot.
FAQs: Were Women Apostles? Re-examining the Role of Women in the Early Church
1. Were women really apostles in the early church?
Yes. The most direct biblical example is Junia, mentioned in Romans 16:7, whom Paul calls “outstanding among the apostles.” Early church fathers and scholars confirm Junia was a woman and was recognized as an apostle.
2. Who was Junia and why is she important?
Junia was a female Christian leader mentioned in Romans 16:7. Paul identifies her and Andronicus as notable among the apostles. She stands as clear evidence that at least one woman held the title and authority of an apostle in the early church.
3. Did Jesus have female disciples?
Yes. Women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna followed Jesus, supported His ministry (Luke 8:1–3), and were eyewitnesses to His resurrection. Mary Magdalene was even sent by Jesus to proclaim the resurrection to the male disciples.
4. What role did Mary Magdalene play in the early church?
Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the risen Christ (John 20:16–18) and was commissioned by Jesus to tell the others—making her the first person to proclaim the resurrection. She’s often called the “apostle to the apostles.”
5. Was Phoebe a church leader?
Yes. Phoebe is described in Romans 16:1–2 as a deacon (diakonos) of the church in Cenchreae and a benefactor of many, including Paul. She likely delivered Paul’s letter to the Romans and may have explained it to the church.
6. Did Priscilla teach men in the early church?
Yes. Acts 18:26 shows Priscilla, alongside her husband Aquila, teaching Apollos—a well-known preacher. Her name often appears before her husband’s, indicating her prominence in ministry.
7. What about Paul’s command for women to be silent?
Passages like 1 Timothy 2:12 must be read in context. Paul was addressing specific issues in Ephesus, possibly involving false teaching. He also commended and worked alongside many women in ministry, so he wasn’t issuing a blanket ban.
8. Why is Junia sometimes translated as Junias?
Some later translators, uncomfortable with the idea of a female apostle, changed Junia to Junias—a male-sounding name. However, there’s no historical evidence that Junias was a real male name. “Junia” was common and always feminine.
9. Were there other women leaders in the early church?
Yes. In Romans 16 alone, Paul greets multiple women who labored in the Lord—like Phoebe, Priscilla, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Mary. Lydia (Acts 16) also hosted one of the first churches in Europe in her home.
10. Why does this matter today?
Recognizing that women were apostles and leaders in the early church challenges modern limitations and invites churches to value spiritual gifting over gender. It restores a fuller, more accurate picture of the body of Christ in action.
