There are verses that may SEEM to contradict, if we believe both verses then we can see the truth, if we choose to believe one verse and deny the other verse then we will be in error. There is neither gender, race, or social status in Christ...this means that God accepts us equally regardless of gender, race, or social status, that does NOT mean that God does not recognize gender, race, and social status, because the rest of the bible points out that He does, and why shouldn't He, because gender, race, and social status are REALITIES. When you question the validity of Paul you expose why you are willing to reject his clear instructions. God can accept all people equally regardless of their gender, yet God can command that men lead in a church...both can be true.