Man and Woman—What Does God Say?

The first human, Adam, was formed by Jewe Elohim from the soil of the ground and became a living soul through God's breath. His name means "ruddy" and "like"—created in God's image and likeness.

The woman was built by Jewe Elohim in a special act of creation from a part of the man. Therefore she is called "woman" (literally: man-ess)—bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh.

The man was formed first. He is the image and glory of God. His head is Christ, and he stands in direct responsibility before God.

The woman is the glory of the man—his radiance, his crown. Without her he is incomplete: God Himself declared that it was "not good" for man to be alone. She was created as his "helper" (Heb. ezer), the same word also used for God as Israel's helper. She is not a side issue, but God's appointed complement, without whom the man cannot fulfill his calling.

The man was commissioned to rule over the earth and cultivate the ground. Since the fall, he must eat his bread by the sweat of his brow. He bears responsibility for providing for his family.

The woman was appointed to be the mother of all living (Eve = "life-giver"). Her creational calling lies in motherhood and childbearing; in this there is also spiritual preservation from sin.

The man's primary duty toward his wife is self-giving love—the standard is Christ, who gave Himself up for the ecclesia. He must not be bitter toward her.

The woman is to be subject to her husband as to the Lord. Subjection does not mean worthlessness or blind obedience, but a willing alignment with God's order. Why? Because Eve was deceived when she acted independently (1 Tim. 2:14)—subjection serves as protection from deception. At the same time, it reflects the deepest secret: the relationship between Christ and His ecclesia.

A man leaves father and mother and clings to his wife. He owes her love as his own body, nourishing and cherishing her.

The woman should show reverence to her husband. As Sarah called Abraham "lord," holy women adorn themselves through trust in God and willing subjection.

The man should live with his wife according to true knowledge and grant her honor as the "weaker vessel." Harsh behavior hinders shared prayer.

Before God, the woman is an equal "co-heir of the grace of life." Subjection concerns the earthly creational order; before God, however, it ultimately has no rank implication: in Christ, man and woman are fully equal.

The man is a picture of Christ: just as Christ is the head of the ecclesia and gave Himself for her, so the man should devote his life for his wife.

The woman is a picture of the ecclesia: as the ecclesia is subject to Christ, so the woman's subjection adorns the truth of God and reveals the secret of Christ.

God calls the man to "act like a man"—to put away childish immaturity and become mature. In the ecclesia he is to lift up gracious (benevolent) hands, without anger or argumentative reasoning.

A woman's true adornment is not gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but the "hidden person of the heart"—a gentle and quiet spirit that is exceedingly precious before God.

If a man desires to serve as an overseer, he must lead his own household well and train his children in honorable subjection—whoever cannot lead in small things is not fit for greater ones.

The woman should learn in quietness and not teach with authority over a man. The "woman of valor" (Proverbs 31) is capable, wise, and God-fearing—her worth surpasses all material value.