Men's and Women's Roles - Summary Thoughts

The Bible has presented much evidence during this study of men's and women's roles. The Bible is clear that there is a difference between men and women and that God established them with different roles. In light of the previous verses studied, there may be some concepts that are difficult to accept. Remember the following:

Being a helper is not less important

Being a servant or helper is of the highest value in the kingdom of God. Instead of considering the status of women as lower and unequal, they should rightly be preciously held up as fulfilling their high calling. This servant attitude is wonderfully illustrated by Jesus Himself: "6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:" (Phil. 2:6-9).

Women are capable and skilled

The issue is not whether women are capable or have the necessary skills to perform the headship responsibilities of husbands or bishops (elder/pastor/overseer), but rather whether the Bible allows them to fill this role. Woman can understand Biblical truths and have spiritual discernment as well as men. Submitting to authority does not mean you are not equal or not capable, it simply means you are part of God's orderly system, and you are willing to fill any role He designs for you.

Women and men were created equal

Neither women or men are inferior or superior to the other. Both are equal in worth, being and standing before God. Both were created "in the image of God" (Gen. 1:27, Matt. 19:4, Mark 10:6). Both are sinners in need of a Savior. Both have been redeemed by Jesus, so that "there is neither male nor female...in Christ" (Gal. 3:28). Men and women are joint "heirs together of the grace of life" (1 Pet. 3:7). Men and women complement each other. They were designed with gender differences and different roles, so that together, they make up a complete whole.

Women may be ordained to appropriate roles

Several different Greek words are translated to "ordain" in the Bible. They mean to choose, appoint or set apart. Ordination is the act of the church in the choosing, appointing, and setting apart through the laying on of hands certain individuals to perform specific functions on behalf of the church. God instructed the church to do this. Men and women can be ordained, if they are appointed to appropriate Biblical roles. The issue is not whether or not women can be ordained, the issue is what roles or functions should a woman perform or be apointed to do. Filling a role of authority or headship in the home or the church is prohibited to women. This means that women should not be ordained or appointed to be an overseer of the church (modern day elder, minister, or bishop).

The Bible is from God and can be trusted

The passages studied are not man's thoughts. They are God's instructions. We can be thankful for them, not rise against them, for they are given for our good. His Word is true. We can trust it. Following Him and cooperating with Him will always produce the best results. It may seem easier to avoid Jesus' instructions in favor of society's "wisdom" and false ideas of equality. The pressure of the world with its accusations of prejudice, bias, bigotry, patriarchy and other misapplied names, can be strong. But, these hardships hold not a fraction of weight when compared to the eternal joys of submitting to God's authority. God is calling all His people to submit to His Word and thus experience love, relationships, worship and His kingdom to the fullest.