Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

No, the Bible does not treat woman as either insignificant, peripheral, or unimportant.

Here are just some of the many ways that the scriptures show women:

Woman as the helpmate of man: Gen 2:18-23, Ecc 4:9-12 
God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone, and so made woman as support. Eve was a partner, and 'one flesh' with Adam.

Women created in the image of God: (Gen 1:27)
Woman was not made in the image of Adam, though woman was 'taken out of man' - she too was made in the image of God.

Women as mothers: 
Motherhood is arguably the hardest career on Earth. Eve mothered Seth, Rebekah mothered Jacob, Rachel mothered Joseph, Hannah mothered Samuel, Mary mothered *Jesus*, etc.
[However, in NT times many woman were exalting motherhood to the point of lording it over men and claiming superiority, and this was NOT good]

Pivotal in the eternal plan of God:
Mary, Abigail, Esther, Ruth, Tamar, Rahab, Rachel, Leah, Rebecca, Mary Magdalene, Jael, etc: Scripture is full of accounts of woman who played pivotal roles in God's eternal plan of salvation, or who were key figures in God's interaction with Israel.

Women judging in disputes (Judges 4-5):
Deborah led Israel as judge and prophetess, and even went with the army into battle when the man God chose to lead the army did not wish to go by himself. Because of this, God gave the glory of the victory to a woman (Jael) who killed the enemy king.

Women teaching the next generation of leaders:
Priscilla instructed a preacher alongside her husband (Acts 18:18-28)
Women taught their own families (II Tim 1:5, Prov 31:1, Prov 31:26) 

Women testifying about Christ, to men (John 20:18, Luke 2:36-38, Luke 19:37-40)

Women prophesying (II Kings 22:15-20, Acts 2:17-18, Luke 1:16-55, I Cor 11:5)

Women evangelizing (Acts 8:4, Matt 13:31-33)

Women and widows with various manners of authority in the church (Judges 4-5; Micah 6:4, Rom 16:1-2) [Paul says Phoebe is a 'commander of many/one who stands before', vs. 'benefactor' as often errantly translated without basis in the Greek or in scripture. What type of authority this is is unknown, but prostates was used in other writings of protectors of the people and synagogue leaders.
https://tinyurl.com/yy4foshw

Women hosting church groups/gatherings: (Rom 16:3-4, Col 4:15, Acts 12:12) The early church was often reliant on wealthy widows and other women who opened their homes for meetings.

Women could be apostles, that is, sent out to spread the gospel, plant churches, do mission work, etc (Rom 16:7):
Junia, an apostle alongside either her brother or husband, was also imprisoned for for her testimony as a believer.
Peter also took along his wife (I Cor 9:15).

Women could be co-workers with the apostles in the work of the gospel (I Cor 3:5-15, Rom 16:3) [Many of the co-workers Paul mentions are women]

Women leading in a worship song (I Cor 14:26, Judges 5) [Though this is to build up the assembly, not usurp authority over it].

Women praying in the assembly (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:41-42)

Women could be disciple making disciples for Christ (Acts 19:33)

Women could be deacons: Rom 16:1-3, I Cor 3:5-9

Women could work hard for the sake of the Lord (Rom 16:6, Rom 16:12)

Women could participate in the assembly even with words of instruction (I Cor 14:26) 

Etc.

In short;

While various social constraints were on women, due to the mostly patriarchal societies of the ancient world, God used women in many important ways. Jesus' treatment of women was revolutionary (John 4:1-26, Matt 9:20-22, Luke 7:36-50). Men and woman are both equal in Christ (Gal 3:27-29) for we are all children of God.

There are different roles for men and women, but this is not due to differing equality. Rather, it is to reflect Christ and the church (Phil 2:1-11, Eph 5:21-33)

Related Questions:
https://ebible.com/questions/120-why-should-wives-submit-to-their-husbands 
https://ebible.com/questions/5291-does-god-believe-that-men-are-superior-to-women

November 03 2014 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

---

View All Answers