Are Women Inferior to Men?

People who think that women are inferior to men simply do not know or understand the Scriptures. They probably have heard that Paul instructed wives to be in submission or subjection to their husbands. But this does not mean that a husband can abuse or mistreat his wife. It means that the husband is the leader of his family, similar to how elders are to be leaders in individual churches. Just as elders are to watch out for the members of the church, so a husband must take care of his wife and children.

But the apostle Paul wrote further about this subject. He commanded husbands to love their wives, "just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). He also told husbands to love their wives as they love their own bodies. Why? Because a man and woman become as "one flesh" when they get married. They are united by God in the bonds of holy wedlock. The Bible certainly does not promote the idea of treating women as inferior. Women should be treated with love and respect, just as Christ treats the church.

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