Some Biblical Doctrines Concerning Women
Women as Property - false teachings Christian women are property of their husbands.
We shall strive to stay out of the war of the sexes in this article. We will just look honestly at what the Bible teaches regarding this matter, and will avoid getting involved in gender and sexual politics.
Let us look into the New Testament Biblical laws regulating the family.
Ephesians 5:22-24 " Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. "
Ephesians 5:25 " Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; "
Ephesians 5:28 " So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. "
Ephesians 5:33 " Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. "
Ephesians 6:1-4 " Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. "
Colossians 4:18-21 " Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. "
See also 1 Peter 3:1-7,
In summary New Testament law regarding the family is quite simple:
- Husband's commanded to love their wives.
- Wife commanded to respect her husband, and respect their authority in the home.
- Children commanded to obey their parents in the lord, and to honour their parents.
The Bible teaches that the husband is the head of the wife. This does not mean she is his property. He is commanded to love his wife. The husband and father has no right to abuse their authority. There is a big difference between leadership, and domination. Dominating the family is wrong. Husbands are supposed to serve the family, and other family members are supposed to respect the God given authority of the husband and father.
Children are supposed to obey their parents in the Lord. This means they do not have to obey if the parents expect them to do something sinful, or illegal. And children are commanded to obey their parents. Once you are no longer a child - then you are no longer required to obey your parents. However, you are still expected to honour them. Honouring and obeying your parents is different.
When you become an adult you need not any longer obey your parents (but if the child is handicapped perhaps then this would be different), but are required to honour them. It has a lot to do with the family situation, and there are certain matters that confuse the issue.
Wives do not have to go along with anything sinful.
" Colossians 4:18-21 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." Notice the words here " as it is fit in the Lord. " They are to put God first, not their husband or children. So if the husband wants or expects his wife to go along with something that is sinful, - then she has full rights to refuse. She is not sinning in that case. She is just putting God and Christ first, which is what the Bible teaches we must do.
Matthew 10:37 " He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. "
The Biblical principle here is to simply put God and Christ first in your life. The wife must not have her husband, and his wishes first in her life, or her children first. She needs to put God first. She needs to love Christ first. Therefore she must not follow her husband, if he expects her to do something sinful. The same thing applies to the husband - he must put God first - not his wife.
The Biblical principle regarding leadership is simply that if one wants to be the leader then they need to be the servant. The Biblical brand of leadership is based on service, not domination.
Mark: 10:41-45 " And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. "
Husband's are supposed to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Christ served the church, and still does today.
There is a lot of flexibility in the New Testament principles governing the family. It depends on the kind of relationship the man and woman have. It depends on their personalities. The husband is supposed to be the leader. However, if he happens to have a very assertive and strong wife - who has strong leadership characteristics then he and her can simply work out an arrangement where she can assume much more or most of the leadership duties. No she is not to usurp the man's authority in the family, but there is a lot of flexibility within the rules. There is nothing in the Bible that commands wives, and women to be weak, passive and slave like in their relationship with their husband. However, they are supposed to respect their husband's and their God given authority in the home.
A husband may have a very weak woman as a wife. She may be in ill health perhaps, or be just a weaker type personality. So in that case it would not be unexpected for the man to be more forceful, and exercise stronger leadership. It depends a lot on the situation.
There is nothing in the Bible to even suggest the woman is to sit there like a passive Patsy, not speaking unless spoken to, just waiting for instructions from the big boss domineering husband. If that is what a husband expects, well then that is wrong, and a woman doesn't have to put up with that form of abuse. You don't have to put up with anything sinful in your relationship. You don't have to put up with abuse. There has to be give, and take, and none of us is perfect - yet this is absolutely no excuse for sinning or condoning sin.
The Bible encourages women to be strong, not weak.
Proverbs 31:10-31 " Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
This is no weak woman described here. Not that every woman can be like that. But there is nothing in the Bible that says that now that a woman is married she has to give up everything, and just stay at home a slave of her husband - barefoot and pregnant.
It depends on the relationship the man and woman have. If a man really loves his wife then he won't try to keep her down, and will support her in her efforts to be a stronger person. Many women are better business managers then men. The two should compliment each other.
However, a lot of women would like nothing more than to stay home and raise kids. Fine. It is up to couples to work things out.
There is nothing in the Bible that says a woman can't make suggestions to her husband, or even disagree on something's he suggests. Who is stopping her from pointing out certain flaws in her husband's plans. It would be negligent on her part - for her to not point out some mistakes he is making. And who is stopping her from making suggestions, and from giving her opinions, and her ideas. If they are good ideas - then why would her husband not agree with them ? Active feedback from ones mate is important.
The wife is supposed to be a help mate (Genesis 2:18). A lot of men need a lot of help.
Cultural matters often confuse the issue here. Just because certain men-women, male-female and husband-wife matters are acceptable in your particular culture, doesn't mean they are acceptable to God. So if the cultural norms in your society are not Biblical, and indeed are sinful - then we need to refuse to follow these matters.
If the cultural norm is to condone physical abuse of women by men - then this is wrong. If the cultural norm in your particular society is to condone woman disrespecting their husband's then this too is wrong.
To use one's culture as an excuse to exploit, enslave and abuse women, and sin against women is just plain wrong - period - end of discussion.
This is a long and difficult subject - more may be added later on.
Women Ministers and Priests - false doctrine that it is scriptural to allow women preachers, priests and ministers in the church.
As you may know we have a very powerful feminist movement that basically started in the United States in the late 60's and early 1970's. It spread to Canada and many, many other countries.
The essence of feminism is that it is in conspiracy against Fatherhood, because feminism rejects the idea that the husband and father have any God given authority in the home, and family.
For more information on the subject you can go to some articles I have already done on the subject:
- Feminist Ideology - this gives you the spiritual perspective of the ideology.
- The Essence of Feminism - There is nothing much related to Biblical teachings in this article. It just explains the essence of the ideology, some of the many feminist branches, where the woman's liberation movement went wrong, and offers some practical solutions.
Biblical teachings do not support the concept of woman priests, or woman ministers in the true church.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 " Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. "
1 Timothy 2:11-14 " Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. "
These scriptures refer specifically to official church services. Where a minister, or priest teaches church members on the spiritual, and on the scriptures at church meetings.
These can be regular Sabbath services, or other church functions, where a teacher stands up and teaches the church.
The Bible specifically says that this sort of official teaching role in the church is not open to woman, but men only.
This in no way suggests women are somehow inferior in the church (Galatians 3:28). It just means that this role in the Body of Christ is not open to a woman.
And there is nothing in these scriptures that prevent a mother from teaching her children about the Bible and on spiritual matters at home. Nothing here prevents a woman from being a strong spiritual figure.
It is sometimes strange how people reason. God gives us certain rules and laws in the Bible, and then so many people just look at what this prevents them from doing, and on the things they can't do. However, they don't seem to think much on what these laws and principles don't stop them from doing. There are so many roles and jobs open for women in the true church - it is just that the role of being an official teacher at church is closed to them.
There is nothing in the Bible that says women are supposed to just listen slave like to their husbands, and that they can't do anything without the permission of their husbands, and that they should just stay at home barefoot and pregnant.
We are supposed to put God first in our lives. And if a woman puts her husband, or children first in her life - then she is sinning, since she is breaking the greatest commandment. Yes she should follow and respect her husband, but she is under no spiritual obligation to follow her husband or family into sin. She has no legitimate right to usurp, or undermine her husband's God given authority in the family - she is supposed to help and support her husband in his role.
What if the husband doesn't perform his responsibilities and proper role in the family ? What if he is abusive, and just a rotten sinner ? Tough questions these. Just keep putting God first, pray and trust in God to see you through.
There are all kinds of roles and possibilities for each of us within the laws of God.
In fact Christ demands all of His true servants love Him far more than they love members of their family, like Father, Mother, or children (and naturally this includes ones husband). So the wife is perfectly within her rights to stand up to her husband and children and refuse to go along with sinful matters.
Matthew 10:37-38 " He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. "
Luke 14:25-27 from the Living Bible translation " Great crowd were following Him. He turned around and addressed them as follows; Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he loves his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers or sisters - yes, more than his own life - otherwise he cannot be my disciple. And no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me. "
Woman, who are followers of Christ need to look at the legitimate authority, powers and rights God has given them already. Instead of harping on what God through the Bible says you are not supposed to do (like being a Minister, Priest, or teaching the congregation) let us look at what powers you can legitimately exercise.
There are all kinds of possibilities. And there have been woman who did prophesy (Act 2:17) (Acts 21:9). What about the prophetess Miriam (Exodus 15:20) , Deborah (Judges 4:4) , Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14, 15-20), and Anna (Luke 2:36) ?
Raising children may not seem important to many, but it is. The first five years of a child's life are the most important. That is the time to instill in them the right attitudes, that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. No matter what society, or others say - raising children is a very important job. You are shaping and molding a new life.
If we are faithful in little things, Jesus can trust us with greater things.
Luke 16:10 " He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. "
Matthew 25:21 " His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. "
There is a right and wrong way to do any job - no matter how humble the job may seem. Believe me, I have done a lot of very so-called humble kind of work in my few years under the sun like: garbage man, shoveling manure - and lots of it, cleaning (and this includes toilets), changing diapers - and lots and lots of them, washing clothes and dishes for my kids and family, sweeping, shoveling snow, and so on. If we handle the supposedly little, or humbling jobs and responsibilities well, then God can trust us with greater responsibilities.
It is the quality of the service that counts. God has given each of us certain responsibilities, according to our abilities - within the church and of course we also have roles and responsibilities in the world.
The church is destined to rule the world under Christ - after the resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6) (Daniel 7:27). Do you think there will be only men, who will qualify for these positions of authority in Christ's Kingdom? Nonsense! There are many women saints too, and they will be resurrected as spirit beings, and will exercise great power in Christ's Kingdom.
