The Bible isn’t just one book—it’s a collection of ancient texts written across different cultures, centuries, and worldviews.
That’s why you’ll find some verses that feel empowering next to others that are… less flattering, especially when it comes to women. While some teachings have been reinterpreted or debated for centuries, others have been used, quite literally, to limit what women can do. Whether you’re religious or just curious, here are some of the most controversial things the Bible says women shouldn’t do, and why those verses are still being argued over today.
1. Speak in church
In 1 Corinthians 14:34, Paul writes that “women should remain silent in the churches.” He adds that if they want to ask questions, they should wait and ask their husbands at home. It’s one of the most quoted (and disputed) verses when it comes to female leadership in church settings.
Some modern Christians argue this was specific to that community’s cultural issues at the time. Others still enforce it today, especially in churches that don’t allow women to preach, teach, or hold leadership positions.
2. Teach or have authority over men
1 Timothy 2:12 is another heavy-hitter: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” This has been used for centuries to keep women out of teaching roles, especially in theology or church leadership. While some denominations now embrace female pastors, others hold tightly to this verse. The debate usually comes down to interpretation, and whether these restrictions were meant for that time only, or for all time.
3. Wear gold, pearls, or fancy clothes
1 Timothy 2:9 advises that women should “dress modestly… not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” It’s part of a passage on how women should carry themselves in public worship settings. While few modern Christians ban jewellery outright, modesty codes are still enforced in many religious spaces, often more strictly for women than men. In extreme cases, entire dress codes have been built from this one passage.
4. Hold authority over their husband
In Ephesians 5:22-24, it says, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.” The passage goes on to compare a husband’s role to Christ’s headship over the church, and that’s some pretty intense imagery. This idea of “submission” has shaped entire gender roles within marriage. Some interpret it as a spiritual metaphor for partnership. Others use it to justify unequal power dynamics and control in relationships.
5. Cut their hair short
1 Corinthians 11 talks about hair as a symbol of honour and authority. It says women should cover their heads while praying, and even compares a woman’s short hair to being “shorn or shaved,” which was seen as disgraceful. Some denominations still use this as the basis for women wearing head coverings or growing their hair long. Others see it as a cultural detail from a time when hair and modesty were deeply connected to honour and shame.
6. Lead over men in spiritual settings
While the Bible includes strong female figures like Deborah and Priscilla, many churches still fall back on scriptures like 1 Timothy and 1 Corinthians to block women from preaching, leading prayer, or making decisions in the church. The tension lies in how scripture is interpreted: Are leadership roles gendered by design, or were those limits placed due to cultural norms of the time? That question still divides modern congregations.
7. Be unmarried without shame
In biblical culture, marriage was considered the natural goal for women. Women were often seen in relation to their husbands or fathers, and singleness was rarely framed positively unless in the context of serving God (like the Apostle Paul’s take on celibacy). While singleness is less stigmatised now, some church environments still subtly treat single women as “waiting to be chosen” or spiritually incomplete—a belief that traces back to ancient values embedded in scripture.
8. Lead households independently
Proverbs 31 is often cited as the model for “biblical womanhood,” but even that ideal is based on supporting her husband and household, not leading on her own. Independent decision-making or headship by women is rarely encouraged in scripture.
Some Christian teachings still emphasise that men are the “head” of the household, financially and spiritually. For women who don’t live in traditional setups, that messaging can feel dated or exclusionary, and hard to challenge without being labelled unfaithful.
9. Speak with authority about theology
While women like Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, and others played important roles in early Christianity, many of their contributions have been downplayed. Theologians have long debated whether women should be teaching scripture or interpreting it publicly at all. This restriction is still in place in many conservative settings. Women may be allowed to speak on “women’s topics”—parenting, marriage, inner faith—but not on doctrine or biblical authority itself.
10. Be loud, assertive, or “disruptive”
1 Peter 3:4 praises women who have a “gentle and quiet spirit,” which it says is precious in God’s sight. Over time, this has been turned into a blanket expectation that women should be calm, soft-spoken, and agreeable at all times. This becomes especially controversial when strong opinions, leadership, or confrontation are framed as “unbiblical” traits in women. In practice, it often rewards passivity while punishing confidence, depending on who’s watching.
11. Be pastors in some denominations
This is one of the most well-known modern restrictions. Many evangelical or fundamentalist churches cite Paul’s letters to say that women cannot be ordained or lead congregations. Other branches of Christianity, such as Methodists, Anglicans, and some Baptist churches, do allow female pastors. But even there, women often face pushback or are underrepresented in senior leadership roles.
12. Initiate divorce, even in harmful marriages
While Jesus says in Matthew 19 that divorce should only happen in cases of sexual immorality, the Bible doesn’t give a clear pathway for women to leave abusive or neglectful marriages. Historically, this led to centuries of women being trapped in unsafe relationships. Many modern churches now recognise abuse as a valid reason for separation, but some still shame women for “giving up,” especially when they were taught that suffering in silence is part of being a faithful wife.
13. Be in leadership over men at all
Some ultra-conservative groups teach “complementarianism”—the idea that men and women are equal in value but have separate roles, with men leading and women supporting. This belief is often backed by select scriptures and used to block women from any real authority. Even in non-religious settings, this kind of teaching has ripple effects, shaping how women see themselves in relationships, careers, and decision-making roles. And it’s still widely taught today.
14. Prioritise anything over motherhood
While the Bible praises motherhood and nurturing, it often frames it as a woman’s main identity and calling. Scriptures about childbearing, raising children, and managing the home are plentiful, but leave little room for alternatives.
Women who don’t want children, can’t have them, or want to pursue something else often feel judged in religious spaces. Even today, the phrase “biblical womanhood” is still used to promote a very narrow idea of purpose—one where motherhood is central, and everything else comes second.
