Spiritual authority of women in the Bible
In Across the Spectrum: Issues in Evangelical Theology, Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy list a number of instances where (notwithstanding the prohibition of texts such as 1 Timothy 2:11-14) we find women exercising spiritual authority over (or alongside) men:
1. …God incorporated the songs and statements of a number of women into his inspired authoritative Scripture (e.g., Exod. 15:21; Judges 5; Luke 1:46–55)…
2. Women were given the same command to “rule” over creation as were men. “So God created humankind in his image … male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it’ ” (Gen. 1:27–28, emphasis added).
3. God commanded Abraham to obey his wife, Sarah (Gen. 21:12)…
4. Miriam is mentioned as a leader of Israel alongside Moses and Aaron (Mic. 6:4). Miriam was also a noted worship leader (Exod. 15:20–21).
5. Deborah served as an admirable judge and leader over Israel (Judg. 4–5)…
6. Huldah was a prophetess consulted by both men and women (2 Kings 22:14). Noadiah and Anna are also depicted as prophetesses who could teach (Neh. 6:14; Luke 2:36–38)…More generally, one evidence of the outpouring of the Spirit was that “your sons and … daughters [would] prophesy.… Even … slaves, both men and women … shall prophesy” (Acts 2:16–18)…Philip’s four daughters each possessed the “gift of prophecy” (Acts 21:8–9). Nor is it surprising to find that Paul allowed women to prophesy in church, as long as they kept their heads covered (1 Cor. 11:4–5).
7. God used women as the first Christian evangelists, proclaiming (to the male apostles) the truth that Jesus had risen from the tomb (John 20:16–18).
8. Both Priscilla and Aquila taught the man Apollos (Acts 18:26).
9. In Romans 16:1–12, Paul lists a number of women involved in Christian service. Phoebe is called a “deacon” (vv. 1–2); Priscilla is given equal status to her husband, Aquila, in their kingdom work (vv. 3–4); Mary is described as a hard worker among believers (v. 6); Andronicus and Junia are said to be “prominent among the apostles” (v. 7); and Tryphosa and Persis are described as “workers” in the Lord (v. 12).
10. Paul refers to Euodia and Syntyche as coworkers…Phil. 4:2–3).
(Emphasis added)
More broadly (i.e. not indicative of spiritual authority), we may also note:
In Proverbs 31:10-31, the ‘wife of noble character’ has her own property, and she is an astute and successful businesswoman. She is held in high esteem, both within and outside her family circle. She has strength and dignity, and her counsel and instruction are valued by all.
In Jesus’ parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8), the widow is described as persistently advocating for her needs is not portrayed as doing anything particularly unusual.
Pilate’s wife is depicted as a powerful woman who expects to have some influence over her husband, even in the matter of an important trial (Matthew 27:19).
A group of women accompanied Jesus and provided for him out of their own means (Luke 8:1-3).
Even the widow who gives her two coins to the temple treasury was obviously owner of her own property (Mark 12:41-44).
Lydia was a businesswoman and householder (Acts 16:14f).
(See also this interview with Susan Hylen)