Did Paul look down on women?
Question: I have heard folks say that Paul was a chauvinist and tried to prevent women from assuming leadership roles. Is this true? Does the Bible treat women as second class citizens?
Response: This conclusion is incorrect. Unfortunately, many form their opinions before allowing Paul to speak for himself. Let’s take a look at what Paul, under the Holy Spirit’s direction, tells us regarding men and women.
Galatians 3:28,29 – In this passage, Paul declares absolute equality not only between men and women, but also between those of different ethnic backgrounds and positions within society. Paul teaches that God sees us all as equal and receives us as such. He even teaches that God does not stop there. God goes on to grant individuals, who profess Christ as their Savior and Lord, an inheritance as a child of God. Whether a man or woman, we enjoy the same status as His children and are joint heirs. This is an equality that was unheard of in Paul’s day. (The apostle Peter teaches the same principle in 1 Peter 3:7.)
Ephesians 5:25,28,33 – In this passage, Paul commands husbands to love their wives with a self-sacrificial love. He encourages them to nurture, support, and protect their wives as a cherished gift. This perspective was unpopular in Paul’s context, where women were seen as second class citizens. Incidentally, Paul makes similar comments in Colossians 3:19.
The other authors of the New Testament are in agreement. They declare and encourage equality.
I think the struggle for many, however, results from confusing the distinction between equality and roles within the family and church. A husband and wife may be equal but perform different roles. This is no different from the work place. No one would say that a bank teller is less valuable as a person than the president of the bank. They are equal but have varying degrees of responsibility and authority.
In order for any group or relationship to operate successfully, roles and responsibilities must be defined. It is impossible for leadership to be split 50-50 without friction, inefficiency, and indecisiveness. God established roles within the family and church to preserve unity and reflect His purposes. The Bible clearly outlines roles and responsibilities for both men and women but does not base these upon a premise of inequality.