Bible Doctrine: Man as Male and Female

C. Differences in Roles between men and women.

Relationship between the Trinity and male headship in marriage - 1 Corinthians 11:3.
- The Son is equal in nature to the Father, but submits to the Father in time for the purposes of salvation.
- Likewise, the wife, who is equal in nature (and salvation), submits to the husband (and Christ) in time for purposes of salvation.
- It is a voluntary submission of equals: the Son is not inferior to the Father, the wife is not inferior to the husband.
- Order does not imply superiority or inferiority, but is necessary because of the nature of time and our fallenness.
- Confusing (or rebelling against) the order in the Trinity, church, or family brings spiritual death in the church and the family.
- In eternity, the relationships will change - 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Matthew 22:29-30.
Distinct roles before and after the fall:
- Adam created first - Genesis 2:23, 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:13; (Primogeniture, birthright).
- Eve was created as helper - Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:9.
- Adam named Eve - Genesis 2:23, 3:20.
- God named the human race man, not woman. - Genesis 5:2.
- God spoke to Adam first after the fall - Genesis 2:15-17, 3:9,16.
- Adam, not Eve, represented the human race - Romans 5:15; 1 Cor 15:22.
- The curse of sin distorted the relationship - Genesis 3:16,18-19.
- Christ restores the correct order - Colossians 3:18; Ephesians 5:22; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
- This order applies to the Church:
  - Men are to be elders - 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-10.
  - Men are to be deacons - 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
  - Men have authority over women in the church - 1 Corinthians 14:33-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-15.
- This also applies to the home - Ephesians 5:22-24.
What about the egalitarian position?
- Galatians 3:28 (Colossians 3:11) teaches equality of believers in Christ; it does not define leadership positions in the church or family.
- Was Paul really inspired by the Holy Spirit or not?
- Is Paul authoritative or not?

D. Further Considerations

Your view of Scripture should determine your view of male/female roles, not vice versa.
If Scripture is not culturally relevant as is, it is not authoritative as is.
Misuse of history, i.e. relating societal roles to family and church roles.
Misuse of Biblical languages, i.e. gender-neutral translations.
Scripture does not mandate male/female roles outside of the church or family.

TERMS
Complementarian, difference in role, distortion in roles, egalitarian, equality in personhood, primogeniture.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain how the creation of mankind as male and female reflects the image of God in interpersonal relationships.
2. If man and woman are created equally in God’s image, what does this say about their relative importance before God?
3. Name five indications that distinct roles for men and women existed before the Fall.
4. What effect did the Fall have on the roles and functions of Adam and Eve?
5. What effect does our redemption in Christ have on these roles?

PERSONAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS
1. If you are being honest about your feelings, do you think it is better to be a man or a woman?
2. Are you happy with the gender God gave you, or would you rather be a member of the opposite sex? How do you think God wants you to feel about that question?

QUOTES
Woman takes her being from man, man takes his well-being from woman. - Thomas Adams
A prudent wife commands her husband by obeying him. - John Trapp
When Adam was away, Eve was made a prey. - Henry Smith

Mister Richardson’s
Bible Doctrine Class

Chapter 12: Man as Male and Female

BACK

Mister Richardson’s Bible Doctrine Class

Chapter 12: Man as Male and Female

BACK

Mister Richardson’s
Bible Doctrine Class