The Role of Women

 In our contemporary society the role of women continues to be a most controversial subject in both secular and Church arenas. Let us learn what God has to say about it.

To begin, we must examine Eve, the first women. For it is her creation and subsequent life, that sets the standard for all the women who were to follow her in living upon this earth. We must understand exactly why she was made as she was, and how the results of that building has led to the controversies we now face and must account for.

Unlike Adam, who was created from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7), Eve was made from Adam's body (Gen 2:22). We could light heartedley say she can be seen as the world's first evidence of a "Cesarean Section." But it is far more important to understand that God had some very specific reasons for refraining from simply making an alternative creation from the dust of the ground. In a broad sense, we can say that all human female life came as a result of man's giving up a part of his body, in order for his counterpart ("helpmeet") to be available and bonded ever so strongly, to both God the creator and the husband she was to be responsible to. Had she been created from the dust of the ground, Eve could have been completely coequal within a competitive sense, and this is not what God wanted. He created a mutual need and dependance, one for the other, by choosing to create a link that through the generations, would propagate the humans as a unique and separate, authoritative group which is distinct from all other life forms that God had created.

A woman's physical make up is entirely different from a man in appearance, stature, and purpose. Her body is designed to be the carrier of future life, rather than that of a physical laborer. A woman has in her physiology, both pronounced appearance differences, but her body also functions quite differently than a man's in the sense of the child bearing prominent role God had planned (Gen 3:20). While both men and women have physical brains which carry out so many life sustaining functions,they also differ in modes of operation and some important abilities. As an example, while males think mostly in a singular mode, women, are able to operate in what can be seen as a multitasking environment. Is she then superior to a man in ability and worth, or is she an extension of what God wants humans to function as? We must look into this carefully, for as we all know, the Divine Plan was grossly interfered with, and the initial victim was the woman.

In the biblical account of the "fall of man" (Gen 3:1-6) it is Eve who was the first to gain the knowledge of good and evil. She then went on to lead Adam astray from God's command regarding their eating of the forbidden fruit (Gen 2:17). One can speculate about these events in a number of ways and raise questions such as:

1. Were Adam and Eve literally together during the discourse between the serpent and Eve?
2. Did Adam add to the commandment God have given about the forbidden fruit in teaching Eve?
3. Did Eve, by inexperience, add to what she had been admonished by Adam?
4. Does her punishment (Gen 3:16) indicate that she used her femininity to convince Adam to eat the fruit?
5. Do the actions of Adam and Eve, when God's jugement came, teach us how the "Battle of the sexes" came into being?
6. Do we see in our contemporary society anything really different in how men and women are interacting?
7. Can the tide of our "fallen nature" be stemmed and improved upon without submitting to God's will?

What we can be sure of, is that there was an immediate attempt by both Adam and Eve to blame someone else, rather than admit to and ask forgiveness for their sins. Read and reread the account in Gen. 3:9-24. Here then, is the precedent has been set that would institute the "battle of the sexes." And of course we can ask yet another question that is most relevant and so very important in studying the role of women and their respective places in society. It is simply. "Was Adam the world's first abusive husband?"

From this point on then, we can go forward to an admittedly short look at some of the women in the bible that are among the most prominent examples of the Godly (left column) and unGodly (right column).
It will be for the reader to decide how much effort will be put into learning more about them. I have included the Book, Chapter and vs(s) to find them and study as you see fit.

It will also be for the reader to delve into the matters of agreeing or disagreeing where these women should perhaps be placed, other than what has been suggested.

Noah's Wife and daughter in law Gen. 7:7 Adah & Zillah Wives of Lamech Gen. 4:19
Rebekah Gen. 24 Potiphar's wife Gen.39:7-20
Rachel Gen. 29:6 Lot's wife Gen. 19:26
Naomi Ruth 1:1-4:17 Miriam sister of Aaron (Ex. 15:20+)
Esther Es 1:1-9:32 Jezebel 1Ki 16:31+
Elizabeth Luke 1:5+ Herodias Mat. 14:3
Mary Mat. 1:16+ Salomi daughter of Herodias Mk 6:22+
Anna Lk 2:36+ Martha Lk 10:40


In closing this study, you may have noticed that at least two names were not included. In the Old testament, a most noteworthy woman, Deborah, is not in the list. The reason is simple. She is the shining example of how God can and will on occasion, rebuke men for not shouldering their responsibilities. Her account is recorded in Jud. 4:4+. The other notable name is Prisca (2 Tim. 4:19). You should take some time to look up these women of note also.