Two principles have emerged from our study of the Old Testament foundations of this subject: firstly, there is an equality between man and woman before God where salvation is concerned; and secondly, there is a hierarchy established which demonstrates that “the head of the woman is the man”. We begin the New Testament studies by looking at the first of these principles, as expressed in Galatians 3.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (3:28). Some have inferred from this passage that all differences between man and woman are taken away upon baptism into Christ, and the principle of male headship established under the Law has been superseded by a total equality in Christ. If this is the case then the distinctions between male and female noted when we looked at the Law of Moses are no longer applicable. What is the true meaning of the verse? This can only be answered by surveying the context in Galatians. The letter was written to deal with the problem of the Judaisers who were causing disunity by seeking to impose the Law of Moses on the newly-founded Christian ecclesia (3:1,2). They argued that the Jews were superior to the Gentiles, that the Law was supreme and that the gospel was an interesting but subordinate addition. Paul opposed them vigorously, and chapter 3 forms the thrust of his argument.
In verses 1 and 2 he summarises his case and then expounds it in the rest of the chapter. Do the Galatians want to be saved through the works of the Law or through faith ? The two are set in competition with each other, but in reality there is no contest; disciples must come down on the side of faith if they are to be saved (vv. 10,11). To prove his point Paul turns to Abraham, introducing a two-pronged argument designed to appeal to the Judaisers, and which leads up to the verse we are considering.
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Author: Michael Lewis
Keywords: Oppression of women, Women priests, Women pastors, Women bishops, Women evangelists, Women in the church, Serving women, Women, Feminism, Anti feminism, misogynist, misogyny, Women to remain silent, Silent in the churches, Women should not teach, Women are not to teach men, Women to be in subjection, Sexist, Paul sexist, Sexism, Women of prominence, Chauvinism, Male chauvinism, Chauvinist, Male chauvinist, Deborah and Barak, Debra and Barak, Ezer Kenegdo, Helpmeet, Help mate, Helpmate, Role of women in the church, Role of woman in the church, Woman's role, Feminist, Equality of women, Equality of woman, Equality of the sexes, Female bishop, Deaconess, Phoebe, Phoebe deaconess, Female deacon, Female deaconess, Women's role, Women's role in the church
Bible reference(s): Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:20, Genesis 3:16, Judges 4, Acts 18:26, Romans 16:7, 1 Corinthians 11:3-16, 1 Cor. 14:34-35, Gal. 3:28, Ephesians 5:22-24, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 2:9-14, 1 Timothy 3:2-3, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5, Titus 1:8-9, Titus 2:3-4, 1 Peter 3:1-6
Source: “Man and Woman,” The Testimony, Vol. 60, No. 709, January 1990, pp. 19-21.
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