The
Bible and Women
A1
The problem
B1
Some quotes from “Christians”
C1
Even
as the church must fear Christ Jesus, so must the wives also fear
their husbands. And this inward fear must be shewed by an outward
meekness and lowliness in her speeches and carriage to her husband. .
. . For if there be not fear and reverence in the inferior, there can
be no sound nor constant honor yielded to the superior.
–John Dod: A Plaine and Familiar Exposition of the Ten
Commandements, Puritan guidebook first published in 1603 (Source)
C2
The
second duty of the wife is constant obedience and subjection.
–John Dod: A Plaine and Familiar Exposition of the Ten
Commandements, Puritan guidebook first published in 1603 (Source)
C3
Tertullian:
Rather to affect meanness of appearance, walking about as Eve
mourning and repentant, in order that by every garb of penitence she
might the more fully expiate that which she derives from Eve, - the
ignominy, I mean, of the first sin, and the odium (attaching to her
as the cause) of human perdition. “In pains and in anxieties dost
thou bear (children), woman; and toward thine husband (is) thy
inclination, and he lords It over thee.” And do you not know that
you are (each) an Eve? The sentence of God on this sex of yours lives
in this age: the guilt must of necessity live too. You are the
devil’s gateway: you are the unsealer of that (forbidden) tree: you
are the first deserter of the divine law: you are she who persuaded
him whom the devil was not valiant enough to attack. You destroyed so
easily God’s image, man. On account of your desert - that is, death
- even the Son of God had to die. And do you think about adorning
yourself over and above your tunics of skins?" (Source:
Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4, Tertullian, Apparel of Women, Part 4
Apparel of Women.)
B2
Some quotes from non-Christians
C1
Charles
Darwin wrote on the subject female inferiority through the lens of
human evolution. He noted in his book The Descent of Men: "young
of both sexes resembled the adult female in most species" which
he extrapolated and further reasoned "males were more
evolutionarily advanced than females". Darwin believed all
savages, children and women had smaller brains and therefore led more
by instinct and less by reason. Such ideas quickly spread to other
scientists such as Professor Carl Vogt of natural sciences at the
University of Geneva who argued "the child, the female, and the
senile white" had the mental traits of a "grown up Negro",
that the female is similar in intellectual capacity and personality
traits to both infants and the "lower races" such as blacks
while drawing conclusion that women are closely related to lower
animals than men and "hence we should discover a greater apelike
resemblance if we were to take a female as our standard."
(Source)
C2
Aristotle: Another
example is Cynthia's catalog where Cynthia states "Aristotle
says that the courage of a man lies in commanding, a woman's lies in
obeying; that 'matter yearns for form, as the female for the male and
the ugly for the beautiful'; that women have fewer teeth than men;
that a female is an incomplete male or 'as it were, a deformity.'
(Source)
A2
The solution
B1
Bible
C1
The Bible is the only source of 100% truth.
D1
When it quotes someone, it is not necessarily inspired but is 100%
accurate truth. The Bible has quotes from the devil, who obviously
has “...no
truth in him…”
(John 8:44).
D2
2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB - All
Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for
rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the
man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Inspiration is God overseeing the writer is such a way that every
word and thought is approved by God.
C2
The Bible must be interpreted in the plain, normal sense.
D1
God is perfectly and completely wise. He knows how to communicate
perfectly. We do not need to redefine words or give a certain
interpretation to help God explain. A good example is 1 Timothy 2:4
NKJV - who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth.
Calvinists interpret this to mean not all people but only all kinds
of people. The passage, however, states all people; there is no word
in Greek for kinds. God is perfectly wise and knows how to
communicate clearly.
D2
There is no excuse to state we can safely reject this because it was
only written to that generation.
C3
Do not interpret the Bible through the filter of theology or a system
of interpretation, for example, Covenant Theology or
Dispensationalism.
B2
Women
C1
Created in God’s image.
D1
Genesis 1:27 CSB - So
God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God;
he created them male and female.
The word man is אָדָם
'adam.
D2
Genesis 5:2 CSB - he
created them male and female. When they were created, he blessed them
and called them mankind.
The word mankind (human) is אָדָם
'adam.
C2
The word help meet (KJV) is עֵזֶר`ezer
which means a helper. This word is used most often referring to God.
D1
Psalm 33:20 CSB - We
wait for the LORD; he is our help and shield.
D2
Psalm 70:5 CSB - I
am oppressed and needy; hurry to me, God. You are my help and my
deliverer; LORD, do not delay.
D3
עֵזֶר`ezer
is not a word describing a lesser or lower caste. It is an equal or
even greater.
C3
Of Adam it is said: Genesis 2:18 NLT - Then
the LORD God said, "It is not
good
for the man to be alone. I will make a helper
who is just right for him."
[Emphasis mine]. All of creation was judged good
by God except for Adam.
C4
Adam had abilities, gifts, and insights, but not everything he
needed. He is not God who is perfect in every way. Eve had abilities,
gifts, and insights, too. Together they have a more complete
understanding.
C5
So today my wife has abilities, gifts, and insights that I do NOT
have. WE can make a better decision and understand situations better
because of the greater insights both have. Two are better than one.
She is very valuable and precious.
C6
Loved equally by the Heavenly Father: 2 Corinthians 6:18 NLT - And
I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says
the LORD Almighty.
B3
Some important women in the Bible
C1
Eve
D1
The mother of all living: Genesis 3:20 CSB - The
man named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the living.
D2
Sinned, but was deceived (Adam deliberately, premeditatively sinned):
Genesis 3:13, 20 CSB - So
the LORD God asked the woman, "What is this you have done? "
And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
... The man named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the
living.
AND 1 Timothy 2:14 CSB - And
Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.
E1
Some creepy commentators believe Eve deceived Adam. That is a LIE.
E2
Adam sinned willfully. He knew was he was doing. He did not believe
God (lack of faith). He failed the test—a very easy test. All of
creation was cursed by God because of Adam’s sin. Romans 5:12 CSB -
Therefore,
just as sin entered the world through one man,
and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people,
because all sinned.
[Emphasis mine]
E3
Eve told the truth: “I was deceived.” Adam blamed the woman, God,
and everything else: Genesis 3:12 CSB - The
man replied, "The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me
some fruit from the tree, and I ate."
Adam was the first human liar.
D3
When Eve figured out everything that happened, she probably wanted to
punch Adam out and leave. God reminded her that she was still to
desire Adam.
E1
Really evil commentators believe that Eve wanted to rule the world
and boss Adam around. They are very, very wrong.
F1
Desire is used 3 times in the Bible:
G1
Translations
H1
First a correct translation: Genesis 3:16 CSB - He
said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear
children with painful effort. Your desire will be for your husband,
yet he will rule over you.
H2
Here is an example of a very evil translation: Genesis 3:16 NET - To
the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your labor pains;
with pain you will give birth to children. You will want to control
your husband, but he will dominate you."
G2
The word desire:
H1
It is the Hebrew word תְּשׁוּקָה
tesh-oo-kaw'
(Strongs H8669).
H2
It means desire, a longing for (towards). It does NOT mean to rule,
conquer, boss around, control, etc.
H3
It’s root is שׁוּק,
shook (Strongs H7783), which means to run after, desire, to long for.
It has NOT mean rule, conquer, boss around, control, etc.
F2
Genesis 4:7 CSB - "If
you do what is right, won't you be accepted? But if you do not do
what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you,
but you must rule over it."
Sin desires, longs for. James 1:14-15 GW Everyone
is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him.
Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows
up, it gives birth to death.
F3
Song of Solomon 7:10
G1
Song of Solomon 7:10 NKJV I
am my beloved's, And his desire is toward me.
G2
Song of Solomon 7:10 GW I
am my beloved's, and he longs for me.
G3
Song of Songs 7:10 CSB - I
am my love's, and his desire is for me.
E2
It would be better to understand and interpret the Bible in its
plain, normal sense.
D4
Eve did receive punishment: pain in childbirth.
D5
Eve received the promise of the coming redeemer. Adam received
nothing except punishment. Genesis 3:15 CSB - I
will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your
offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will
strike his heel.
C2
Deborah
D1
She was a prophetess and judge in Israel. Gideon was only the general
in the army.
E1
Judges 4:4-5 CSB - Deborah,
a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that
time. She would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and
Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to
her to settle disputes.
E2
Deborah being judge and prophetess is NOT because there were no
qualified men. God chose HER.
D2
She was also a songwriter and mother. Judges 5:1, 7, 12 CSB - On
that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang: ... Villages were
deserted, they were deserted in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, a
mother in Israel. ... "Awake! Awake, Deborah! Awake! Awake,
sing a song! Arise, Barak, and take your prisoners, son of Abinoam!
D3
She gave the command to Barak to start the battle. Judges 4:14 CSB -
Then
Deborah said to Barak, "Go! This is the day the LORD has handed
Sisera over to you. Hasn't the LORD gone before you? " So Barak
came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
D4
Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, finished off the battle by
punishing Sisera with a hammer and tent peg. Judges 4: 17-21
C3
Mary, the virgin mother of our Lord Jesus
D1
Had a love for God that was rare in her day. Jesus said that if we
love Him (God), we will obey Him. Luke 1:38 CSB - "I
am the Lord's servant," said Mary. "May it be done to me
according to your word." Then the angel left her.
D2
Believed God: Luke 1:45 CSB - Blessed
is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has
spoken to her!
D3
Was one of the few who was loyal even to his death: John 19:25 CSB -
Standing
by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the
wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
D4
Was found in prayer and meeting with the other believers: Acts 1:14
CSB - They
all were continually united in prayer, along with the women,
including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
C4
Mary Magdalene
D1
Was the first at the tomb of Jesus: Matthew 28:1 CSB - After
the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene
and the other Mary went to view the tomb.
D2
Was the first to see Jesus Christ risen from the dead: Mark 16:9 CSB
- Early
on the first day of the week, after he had risen, he appeared first
to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.
D3
Testified to the Apostles that she had seen the Lord Jesus alive
(resurrected). She was not believed, possibly because she was a
woman. Luke 24:10-11 CSB - Mary
Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with
them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed
like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.
C5
Philip the Evangelist and deacon had 4 daughters who were
prophetesses: Acts 21:8-9 CSB - The
next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of
Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him.
This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
C6
Phoebe, the deaconess: Romans 16:1 RSV - I
commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at
Cenchrea.
B4
How men especially husbands are to treat their wives
C1
Love is a choice, not necessarily an emotion. Ephesians 5:25 CSB -
Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for
her.
How many husbands love their wives that much? Love described in the
next point.
C2
Love expresses itself in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds, but it
is noted by all people with theses characteristics: 1 Corinthians
13:5-8a WEL
Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn't brag
about itself, is not haughty, Doesn't behave improperly, is not
self-seeking; love isn't easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of
wrongs, Doesn't rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth,
Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things. Love never ends.
C3
Husband and wife are partners in life facing joys and difficulties as
one. Each supplies their gifts and abilities equally.
C4
Love shows its fruit as this: Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV - But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there
is no law.
B5
If the husband does not treat his wife such, he does not love her.
B6
If the husband abuses his wife in any way, she must leave, divorce,
and have no contact. If no contact is impossible (children), then low
contact. Divorce already has been addressed in another message.
A3
Applications
B1
God said it was NOT good for Adam to be alone.
B2
Women, in particular wives, are a special creation.
B3
How we treat our wives is noticed by God. He will judge if that
treatment is not up to His standards.
B4
Abuse is always wrong and proves the husband does not love his wife.
B5
If there is abuse, the wife must leave.
B6
So how are you and I going to treat our wives?
B7
Love for our wives must be the same in public or in private. Our
treatment of them the same in public or private.
B8
Women are to be respected, their opinions sought, and treated as an
equal human being.
B9
Confess any sin that you have done wrong towards them. Ask God for
forgiveness.
B10
Now go and love your wife, your daughters, your granddaughters,
mother, grandmother, etc.
A5
Finishing verses which are good to memorize:
B1
Ephesians 5:28 So husbands must love their wives as they love their
own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself.
B2
Ephesians 5:33 But every husband must love his wife as he loves
himself, and wives should respect their husbands.
B3
Colossians 3:18 Wives, place yourselves under your husbands'
authority. This is appropriate behavior for the Lord's people.
B4
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and don't be harsh with
them.
Copyright
© 2018 by Len Gane All rights reserved.
