Woman in the Church - Part One

Starting at the beginning then, why did God create women to be different from men?

"In the beginning... God created man in His own image... male and female created He them... The Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" -Genesis 1:1, 27, 2:18.

So that we may know what this "help meet" signifies, what are some other scriptural examples of "help meet"? (The Hebrew word is- "ezer")

"...God... mine help (ezer)... delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh..." -Exodus 18:4,

"...Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and... be Thou an help (ezer) to him from his enemies" -Deuteronomy 33:7.

So then, a "help meet" does not at all specifically mean someone subservient, but a friend, an ally, and a support- and thank God He didn't leave us all the same sex! How boring that would be.

According to scripture, what is the marriage an example of?

"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... Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands... Husbands love your wives, even AS Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it... This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" -Ephesians 5:21-32.

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead..." -Romans 7:4.

"...I have espoused you to one husband...to Christ" -2 Corinthians 11:2.

So, if the marriage is a "type" of Christ and the church, we should find perfect harmony and similarity in the type of interactions between husband and wife, and between Christ and His church. What kind of example, then, do we find the church to be as the bride of Christ? Is Christ's bride in subjection to all, or only to Christ?

"Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you" -John 15:14.

"...Jesus Christ... hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation... we (the church- the bride of Christ) are ambassadors for Christ (the husband), as though God did beseech you by us..." -2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

"...Even the devils are subject unto us..." -Luke 10:17-20.

"...Tarry ye... until ye be endued with power..." -Luke 24:49. "...Ye shall receive power, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: and ye shall be witnesses unto me... unto the uttermost part of the earth" -Acts 1:8.

"...If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything... it shall be done for them... For where two or three are gathered together (the church) in my name, there am I in the midst of them" -Matthew 18:18-20.

In Acts 10:1-6 it is found that even angels don't preach the gospel, for, as seen from the above verses, that is a privilege bestowed upon Christ's bride- the Church. Outside of the "type" of marriage, Christ's bride has Christ's full authority.

So, one of the first principles we need to keep in mind is that Christ empowered His church, His bride, our example of a wife. He speaks through her, He has committed all His authority to Her, as long as she is in accord with His will (more on this later).

And what does the Bible say of the husband's role?

"...The husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church... Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it... So ought men to love their own wives as their own bodies..." -Ephesians 5:23-28.

"...Ye husbands, dwell with them... giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being HEIRS TOGETHER..." -1 Peter 3:7. (note that it says vessel, referring to her physical body, and doesn't say women are weaker in mind)

How does Christ head His bride the Church and set an example for husbands to follow?

"...The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them... But ye shall not be so... For... I AM AMONG YOU AS HE THAT SERVETH... They which have continued with me... may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging..." -Luke 22:25-30.

In summary, what did Christ do for His bride? (1) In servitude, He washed her feet, John 13:5, (2) He came to her as a servant, Phil. 2:7, (3) He promised to give her the desires of her heart, Matthew 18:18-20, (4) He laid His life down for her, Ephesians 5:25, (5) She rules and reigns at His side, Rev. 22:5, (6) He empowered her with His authority, Luke 10:19

These verses on marriage also need to be read in context of who they are addressed to.

These are the commandments to the men- "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it... So ought men to love their own wives as their own bodies..." -Ephesians 5:23-28. "...Ye husbands, dwell with them... giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel (not mind), and as being HEIRS TOGETHER..." -1 Peter 3:7. The Bible doesn't command men to force themselves, or their rule over their wives- that is not Christ's commandment to husbands. Nor does the Bible say anything at all about all women being in subjection to all men.

And this verse sums up the commandments to women- "Wives, submit yourselves UNTO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS, as unto the Lord" -Ephesians 5:21-22.

These commandments are different because men and women are different, and therefore they need to be exhorted from different angles, or aspects, in order to be brought to the same conclusion, which is- "Submitting yourselves ONE TO ANOTHER in The fear of God" -Ephesians 5:21. For that is what love is, to- "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER" -Romans 12:10.

Since the relationship of a husband and wife is a type of the relationship between Christ and His church, we see that, scripturally, women are a far site greater than being silent submissive chattels! We are "heirs together".

For those of you reading this that feel that women should be kept silent before all men, would you also quiet the church in the world? Would you have the church, the bride of Christ to be powerless? Would you not have Christ's bride, the true Church, rule and reign AT HIS SIDE? For one is a type of the other!

Now, going back to the beginning, what changed the woman's position in the marriage?

"And the Lord God said unto the woman, what is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat... Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" -Genesis 3:13-16.

Have women not been redeemed to God from the curse?

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ... " -2 Corinthians 5:17-19.

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins" -Colossians 1:14, Also Heb. 9:12 & Rom. 3:24.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" -John 3:6.

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law... For as many of you as have been baptized into Jesus Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek... there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And IF YE BE CHRIST'S, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise... Wherefore THOU ART NO MORE A SERVANT but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ... But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?... I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" -Galatians 3:27-4:12.

If our souls have been redeemed to God, why do other parts of the curse from Genesis 3:16-17 remain in effect? Such as sorrow in childbirth, and the ground being cursed so that we can only eat by the sweat of our labors? Is part of our being still waiting for redemption?

"...Ourselves also, which have the... Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for... THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY" -Romans 8:23.

"...The resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:... It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body... Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God... Behold I shew you a mystery... we shall all be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption..." -1 Corinthians 15:42-54.

So you see those of us who are being redeemed have been redeemed IN SPIRIT, by Christ's resurrection. We have received that spiritual redemption individually when we put on that resurrection through the true born-again experience-which is the receiving of Christ's Spirit. But even we who have the Spirit are NOT YET REDEEMED IN OUR PHYSICAL BODIES. We are waiting for the redemption of our bodies. So then, there is also a difference in a New Testament individual who is walking after the flesh as compared to someone walking after the Spirit as to whether they are a spiritual creature or not-

"...In me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not... For I delight in the law of God after THE INWARD MAN: But I see another law in my members... bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members... Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord... There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit... For IF ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but IF ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" -Romans 7:18-8:14.

Now then, are women to walk after the outward, carnal nature, or the inward spiritual man? And if they are walking in the Spirit, are they carnal or spiritual?

"Likewise, ye wives... WHOSE ADORNING let it not be that outward... of putting on of apparel: But LET IT BE THE HIDDEN MAN of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, EVEN THE ORNAMENT OF a meek and quiet SPIRIT..." -1 Peter 3:1-4.

"For... neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord" -1 Corinthians 11:11.

"...There is neither... male nor female... in Christ..." -Galatians 3:28.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" -John 3:6.

You see, in the spiritual, there is no male and female. Jesus made this very clear when He said- "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven" Matthew 22:30. In the spiritual, a people who adorn themselves with "the hidden MAN of the heart". whether physically male or female, is not to be considered as male or female at all, for- "There is neither... male nor female... in Christ..."; "and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" -John 3:6.

So, keeping these things in mind, now let's look at 1 Corinthians, and see to whom Paul was writing- to a spiritual church or a natural (carnal) people-

"...THE NATURAL MAN RECEIVETH NOT THE THINGS OF GOD... neither can he know them... And I, brethren, COULD NOT SPEAK UNTO YOU AS UNTO SPIRITUAL, BUT AS UNTO CARNAL... For YE ARE YET CARNAL... 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 anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church" -1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:1-3; 14:34-35.

Paul wasn't speaking to spiritual Christians. He was specifically writing to a carnal church. Secondly, notice that this passage in 1 Corinthians says- "as also saith the law". There is not one verse of scripture, anywhere in the whole Bible, including the Old Testament (The Law) that says all women are to be in subjection to all men. Every verse that talks of subjection always uses the singular, referring only and specifically to the husband. Even 1 Timothy 2:11-15-

"...I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the (singular) man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve... Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety" -1 Tim. 2:11-15.

The passage in 1 Timothy refers directly back to the accounts in Genesis 3:16. Does Genesis (or any other scripture) say women are to be in subjection to all men, or only to their own husbands?

"Unto the woman He said... thy desire shall be to THY husband, and he shall rule over thee" -Genesis 3:16.

"...Ye wives, be in subjection to YOUR OWN husbands..." 1 Peter 3:1.

"Wives, submit yourselves UNTO YOUR OWN husbands, as it is fit in the Lord" -Colossians 3:18. (What does it mean "as is fit in the Lord"? It means this- "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than God... We ought to obey God rather than men" -Acts 4:19 & 5:29. A wife is not expected to do anything contrary to God. Her husband is not above God. A woman is not excused from keeping God's commandments in order to "submit" to her husband. She is also free therefore, to withhold from her husband anything that is not good, ungodly or unholy. For example, she is not commanded to submit to an abusive husband, see Rom. 12:18. For then she would be a partaker in his sin, see II John 1:9-11, & 1 Timothy 5:22).

Let's start out supposing a man beats his wife. What should she do? In order to keep the commandments of God, she must follow this-

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" -Matthew 18:15-17.

According to this scripture, she is bound by the commandment of Jesus Christ, not to allow this to go on without bringing it out to authorities if she can't convince him to stop of her own request. This is a commandment of God. There is no commandment from God to submit unresistingly to continuos, unrepentant abuse. "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENT, forgive him" Luke 17:3. Therefore, the commandment of God "tell it unto the church" takes precedence over any "authority" a man may presume to have, because "We ought to obey God rather than men" -Acts 5:29. This is why I brought out the scripture that says- "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, AS IT IS FIT IN THE LORD. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them" -Colossians 3:18-19. Because her duty to "submit unto your own husband" thereby definitely has it's limitations.

The scripture also allows a woman an "out" in this verse- "IF IT BE POSSIBLE, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" Romans 12:18. Although these verses aren't speaking directly to the marriage, they are nonetheless, commandments of God, not of men, i.e. the husband. The principle that God expects and commands that His commandments to be held above those of man are found in the classic story of Daniel refusing to worship a golden image, though it was decreed by the king. In the New Testament also, we are told to submit unto the laws of the land, but not so far as to transgress God's command, for- "We ought to obey God rather than men" -Acts 5:29. For this reason, although these verses don't specifically say they deal with the marriage situation, they don't have to. They are of a much higher authority and apply to all situations. All would have to include the marriage.

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God... If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For HE THAT BIDDETH HIM GOD SPEED IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS" -2 John 9-11. "Lay hands suddenly on no man, NEITHER BE PARTAKER OF OTHER MEN'S SINS: keep thyself pure" -1 Timothy 5:22.

These express another commandment of God, which is therefore, above any "authority" a man may have over his wife. If we allow evil, and do not speak out against it, we are as guilty as if we committed it ourselves. Even the laws of man accept the concept of "accessories" to a crime. So, if a woman "submits" to a man beating her, without resistance, and without telling the church, she has become a transgressor of Matthew 28:15-17, and she has transgressed 1 Timothy 5:22, and 2 John 11. It is much more important to keep God's commandments than man's, therefore, she must obey Matthew 28:15-17, 1 Timothy 5:22 and 2 John 11. Some may try to says she is only commanded to tell the church. Well what is stopping the church from telling the governmental authorities. If they don't, they'll be accessories, and thereby accountable also!!! Doesn't 1 Corinthians 6 say not to take a brother to law? Yes, but Jesus said he who didn't hear the church was to be as a heathen and a publican, and is therefore not a "brother" in God.

Now what happens. Is the husband at this point, after his wife has told him to quit it, after she has told the church he is abusing her, after she or the church notifies the authorities, is this man going to be "pleased" to dwell with her? Probably only if he is repentant. But if he isn't repentant, what if now he is not happy, but merely wishes to continue to torture her? First go back through the above steps until the authorities do take control of a situation, eventually, he will get the message.

Because you see, "the powers that be are ordained of God... For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same... if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain" -Romans 13:1-3. So let the powers that be take care of this man. If he won't hear the wife, and won't hear the church, he is to be to them as a heathen and publican- of the world, so let the world deal with their own.

"But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is NOT UNDER BONDAGE in such cases: but God hath called us to peace" -1 Corinthians 7:15.

The reason that a woman is allowed to remarry, even though her husband has not committed adultery, is found in combining these passages-

"For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man" -Romans 7:2-3.

"And you hath he quickened, who were DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS... But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins" -Ephesians 2:1, 5.

A man who won't listen to the church, who has become as a "heathen and a publican" is now (or is again) "dead in sin". A woman is not in bondage to a dead man, and that is why the scripture says- "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace" -1 Corinthians 7:15.

If the man does not leave the church, and remains a believer, and a brother, the woman is still not completely obligated to "live with" her husband, if they cannot live together in peace, but neither is she free to divorce and marry another, for- "unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: BUT AND IF SHE DEPART, LET HER REMAIN UNMARRIED or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife" -1 Corinthians 7:10-11. For... "God hath called us to peace".

If they remarry, while they both live, and believe, they commit sin, and transgress. If they commitsin, there is only one last reprieve-

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" -1 John 2:1.

For "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9.

But do not think that I am condoning sin, for the scripture says-"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" -Romans 6:1-2. "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries" -Hebrews 10:26-27.

Therefore- "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" -Galatians 6:7-8.

You see, 1 John 2:1 says "if" any man sin, not "when" as if we have to sin.

Please continue with Woman in the Church-Part Two