“Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman, but all things of God.” -1 Corinthians 11:11-12

This quote comes after a series of verses relating to worship in the church, more specifically, the male and female roles within it. These verses, again, speaking in the context surrounding it of worship, include:

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man; and, the head of Christ is God.” -1 Corinthians 11:3

The chapter then continues on to speak of males and females covering their heads while prophesying (worship). 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 is separated from the worship context by the word nevertheless, synonyms of which include “in spite of,” “notwithstanding,” and “however.”

Therefore, while man is to be the head of woman within the worship context, for reasons given momentarily, man is made by woman as woman was first made by man (1 Corinthians 11:12). The man is not without the woman, nor the woman without the man. They are both equal beings. Neither is above the other outside of the confines of worship.

Now, to shortly elaborate on a previously made point, there is a reason that men rule over women in the church, and it has nothing to do with any inherent superiority of the male sex as shown in 1 Timothy 2:11-14.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve, And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

Now, one can look at the why. The first is the fact that man was made first. It is much as the inheritance of old, given to the oldest son simply because he was the oldest, though in no way superior to the younger children.

The second reason for the men leading in worship is that it was Eve that was deceived in Eden. Again, this does not set women at any inferior place to man, for Adam also fell into temptation and ate of the forbidden fruit. Eve, however, was the first, and was the one to entice Adam to do the same.

Just as the actions of Adam and Eve had a lasting effect on humankind by bringing in the burden of sin, Eve’s transgression, the very first, had its effect on womankind.

Now, on to the topic of marriage. This writer is mainly going to focus on one set verses, which she shall write in its entirety only once, but refer to (with other verses) many times. It is the basis on which many set marriage.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; … Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” -Ephesians 5:22-25, 33

Now, the writer has many analytical conclusions on these, proven, of course, by the Scriptures. The first is that most of the section (the verses between twenty-five and thirty-three), are descriptive of Christ’s relationship to the church, thereby rendering the “For the husband is head of the wife” as more of an analogy to Christ’s relationship to the church. This, in that time, would have been true, as, in that time period, women were ignorant and kept that way so that men could rule over them easily (much as the slaves of old).

They were made to completely rely on the male in the relationship. God has before spoken of things in reference of the time period in which the book was written (for example, 1 Corinthians 7:1-6, in which the times called for it to be better not to be married). Whether right or wrong (as the Bible also refers to slavery, which everyone knows now to be a violation of human rights), the man being the head of the wife was a concept the people of that day could easily understand.

Now, dealing with the verse twenty-two, in which wives are instructed to submit themselves to their husbands. Analysis of this lies with the knowledge of God’s omniscience (all-knowing), as well as the nature and inherent power of womankind. One must also know the definition of “submit.” The definition of “submit” is “to present.”

The female has an undeniable power, especially over men, without even trying. Eve convinced Adam to eat of the forbidden fruit. Bathsheba, without the slightest bit of effort, secured the lusts of a man described as being “after God’s own heart.” There are more instances of female power both in and out of the Bible.

By telling women to “submit themselves,” this writer believes God has strived to keep them from abusing their power, not make them subject to the every wish and command of their husbands. That is not partnership. That is slavery. This command was not to put women at an inferior place to their husband on the “gender hierarchy.”

In addition, one major aspect of the nature of women is the inability to trust, rely, and confide in their husbands about their relationship, trials, and worries. In Psalms 55:22, the Bible says “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” At the end of Ephesians 5:22, the Bible says that women are to submit themselves to their husbands as unto the Lord. Yet another analogy, cleverly placed in the pages of the Bible.

As Christians can present (submit) themselves to the Lord, wives can bare their entire selves, in body, mind, and spirit, to their husbands without shame or fear, as is the naturally inclination of women.

Finally, it must be emphasized the equality of the male and female in marriage. This can be accomplished by demonstrating one aspect applied both to males and females: respect. In Ephesians 5:33, wives are told to “reverence their husband.” In 1 Peter 3:7, husbands are told to give honor to their wives. Both honor and reverence are synonyms for respect.

Now, you can look at these synonymous terms as one. When defining respect, one usually first thinks of its common definition: deep admiration. However, respect can also be defined as this: to have due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of someone.” That means that neither the male nor female has more power than the other, if they are to both have respect each other, as God commands.

One person does not tip the scales on a decision. They each must consider the thoughts of the other, and come to a sound decision together, if they are to respect each other.

The fact that the concept of gender equality is still an issue is an outright shame. The fact that so many people in the church still believe that one gender is superior to the other in any fashion other than within the worship setting, when proofs of equality are found very clearly in the Bible they claim to study is a shame.

This lack of understanding has led to much unfairness in marriages, all brought about by a lack of equality and respect. Some claim that women becoming aware that they can do anything a man can do (outside the premises of worship) is what is leading to an increase of homosexuality.

However, this writer is submitting to you that the increase is not from the female upsurge of power and strength once only given to men, but the inability of men to cope with this and give women the equality they deserve. Simple.