Reference: Woman
American
Is spoken of in Scripture as the beloved and honored companion and helpmeet, not the servant, of man, Ge 2:23-24, created as the necessary completion of man, Ge 3:16; 1Co 11:3,8-9; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11-14, yet specially qualified for that sphere, and as necessary in it as man in his. Man and woman are indeed essentially one, the natural qualities of each so responding to those of the other as to lay the foundation of the most tender and abiding unity. The Bible thus raised the Jewish woman high above the woman of heathenism; and the Old Testament contains some of the finest portraitures of female character. But still greater is the contrast between the women of heathenism and those of Christianity: the former with mind and soul undeveloped, secluded, degraded, the mere toys and slaves of their husbands; the latter educated, refined, ennobled, cheering and blessing the world. Christianity forbids a man to have more than one wife, or to divorce her for any cause but one, Mt 5:32; 19:3-9; declares that bond and free, male and female, are all one in Christ, Ga 3:28; and that in heaven they are no more given in marriage, but are as the angels of God, Mt 22:33. If woman was first in the Fall, she was honored in the exclusive parentage of the Savior of mankind; and women were the truest friends of Christ while on earth. The primal curse falls with heaviest weight on woman; but the larger proportion of women in our churches may indicate that it was the purpose of God to make his grace to man "yet more abound" to her who was the first in sinning and suffering.
In the East, women have always lived in comparative seclusion, not appearing in public unless closely veiled, not mingling in general society, nor seen the men who visit their husbands and brothers, nor even taking their meals with the men of their own family. Their seclusion was less in the rural districts than in towns, and among the Jews than among most to her nations. They were chiefly engaged in domestic duties, Pr 31; among which were grinding flour, baking bread, making cloth, needle work, etc. The poor gleaned the remnants of the harvest; the daughters of he patriarchs joined in tending their fathers' flocks, Ge 29:9; Ex 2:16; and females of all classes were accustomed to draw water for family use, bearing it in earthen pitchers on their shoulders often for a considerable distance, Ge 24:15-20; Joh 7:28.
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but I say unto you, whoever shall put away his wife, except in the case of adultery, is the occasion of her being an adulteress, and he that shall marry her is an adulterer.
The Pharisees likewise came to him, and maliciously propos'd this question, may a man lawfully put away his wife at discretion? and he answered them, have ye not read, that when the creator, at the beginning, made male and female, read more. he said, "for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and be attach'd to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?" so that they are not now two, but one. what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. why then, said they, did Moses permit to give a writ of divorce to repudiate the wife? he answer'd them, 'twas because of your perverse temper that Moses suffered you to repudiate your wives: but from the beginning this was not in practice. and I tell you, that whoever shall put away his wife, except it be for adultery, and shall marry another, he committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her that is put away, causeth her to commit adultery.
when the people heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Jesus then pursuing his discourse in the temple, rais'd his voice, and said, you know both who I am, and whence I am: however, I am not come of my self, but he that sent me is worthy of belief, him you are unacquainted with.
there is now no distinction of Jew or Greek, of bond or free, of male or female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
For the divine savour has display'd its salutary effects to all mankind: teaching us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to practise temperance, justice and piety in this present world; read more. in expectation of that desirable happiness, the glorious appearance of the supreme God, and of our saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and qualify us to be his peculiar people, passionately affected to virtue.
Easton
was "taken out of man" (Ge 2:23), and therefore the man has the preeminence. "The head of the woman is the man;" but yet honour is to be shown to the wife, "as unto the weaker vessel" (1Co 11:3,8-9; 1Pe 3:7). Several women are mentioned in Scripture as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Ex 15:20), Deborah (Jg 4:4-5), Huldah (2Ki 22:14), Noadiah (Ne 6:14), Anna (Lu 2:36-37), and the daughters of Philip the evangelist (Ac 21:8-9). Women are forbidden to teach publicly (1Co 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11-12). Among the Hebrews it devolved upon women to prepare the meals for the household (Ge 18:6; 2Sa 13:8), to attend to the work of spinning (Ex 35:26; Pr 31:19), and making clothes (1Sa 2:19; Pr 31:21), to bring water from the well (Ge 24:15; 1Sa 9:11), and to care for the flocks (Ge 29:6; Ex 2:16).
The word "woman," as used in Mt 15:28; Joh 2:4, implies tenderness and courtesy and not disrespect. Only where revelation is known has woman her due place of honour assigned to her.
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then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is thy faith: as you desire, be it done. and her daughter was healed from that very hour.
There was likewise one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liv'd in a married state but seven years ever since she was a virgin: being then a widow of about fourscore and four years old: she was assiduously in the temple, night and day religiously employ'd in fastings and prayers:
Jesus answer'd her, woman, leave that affair to me, is not that my concern?
on the morrow we set out, and arriv'd at Cesarea, and went to the house of Philip the evangelist, with whom we lodg'd: he was one of the seven deacons, and had four daughters all virgins, prophetesses.
but I would have you take notice, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the wife, is the man; and the head of Christ, is God.
for the man was not taken from the woman: but the woman from the man. nor was the man copied from the woman: but the woman from the man.
Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for they are not allowed to discourse there; but are to observe orders, as indeed the law implies: and if they desire to have information about any point, let them consult their husbands at home: for it does not become women to ask questions in the church.
For the divine savour has display'd its salutary effects to all mankind: teaching us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to practise temperance, justice and piety in this present world;
Hastings
WOMAN
1. In OT ('ishsh
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Ye have heard that it was said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery,"
It hath been said, whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a bill of divorce.
The Pharisees likewise came to him, and maliciously propos'd this question, may a man lawfully put away his wife at discretion?
when a woman of that city, one that had led a loose life, knowing that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, came in with a vial of odoriferous liquor,
and several women, who had been delivered from evil spirits and cured of their diseases: particularly Mary Magdalene, who had been dispossess'd of seven demons:
Jesus answer'd her, woman, leave that affair to me, is not that my concern?
Upon this his disciples came, and were surpriz'd at his conversing with the woman: yet none of them said, what did you ask her? or, why do you talk with her?
when Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, he said to his mother, woman, behold thy son.
and unanimously persevere in prayer with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brethren being present.
When the day of pentecost was come, they all met together with one accord.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance.
"it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams:
"it shall come to pass in the last days (saith God) I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams:
amen. for this cause God gave them up to infamous passions: for even the sex perverted the instinct of nature: and the men unnaturally leaving the sex, were inflamed with mutual passions, which they shamefully indulged, and received in their own persons, the retribution that was justly due to such enormities.
I recommend to you Phebe our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Kenchrea; receive her for Christ's sake,
I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still.
This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none; and they that weep, as those that are unconcern'd; and they that rejoice, as those that do not; and they that buy, as those that have no possessions; read more. and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety.
Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for they are not allowed to discourse there; but are to observe orders, as indeed the law implies:
there is now no distinction of Jew or Greek, of bond or free, of male or female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
let married women be submissive to their husbands, out of regard to the Lord. for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body. read more. as the church then is subordinate to Christ, so let women be to their husbands upon all occasions. You husband, love your spouse, even as Christ loved the church, and laid down his life for her: to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word, that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible. in like manner ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: "he that loves his wife, loveth himself." no man was ever yet averse to his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as the Lord doth the church: of which we are the several parts constituting his body. the scripture says, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and they two shall be as one." these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church. wherefore let every one of you without exception, love his wife even as himself; and let the wife respect her husband.
I conjure Euodias, and I conjure Syntyche to be perfectly united in the Lord.
their wives must be likewise grave, free from scandal, sober, and always faithful.
show regard to widows that are really such.
Of this number are they, who insinuate themselves into families, to make a prey of the weaker sex, who are inveigled by their vitious suggestions, abetted by their own subtle passions,
Morish
It is evident from scripture that women were anciently held in much more honour and esteem in Eastern countries than they are now. Solomon, speaking of women, said that such as his soul sought for he did not find one in a thousand. Ec 7:28. This tells of fallen human nature; but the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. This is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ.
In the N.T. the true place of the woman in subjection to the man is plainly stated, as indicated in creation; and in the assembly the woman is to be silent, and not to teach. Her bearing and deportment are expressive of what she learns as taught of Christ. 1Co 11:3-15; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11. 12. Nevertheless women were greatly honoured in ministering to the Lord, and are accredited as helping on the work of the Lord in the gospel and among the saints. Lu 8:2-3; 23:27,55-56; 6/1/type/mace'>Ro 16:1,3,6; Php 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:10.
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and several women, who had been delivered from evil spirits and cured of their diseases: particularly Mary Magdalene, who had been dispossess'd of seven demons: Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's high-steward: Susanna, and several others, who assisted him with their fortunes.
who was followed by a great crowd of people, and several women, who beat their breasts and lamented him.
the women therefore, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, followed Joseph, to the sepulchre, to see how the body was disposed of. then they went home, and provided spices and perfumes: after which they rested the sabbath-day, as the law appointed.
I recommend to you Phebe our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Kenchrea; receive her for Christ's sake,
salute Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-labourers in the gospel of Christ Jesus:
but I would have you take notice, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the wife, is the man; and the head of Christ, is God. every man who prays or prophesies having his head covered, dishonoureth him who is his head: but every woman who prays read more. or prophesies with her head uncovered, dishonoureth the man who is her head: for it is the same thing as if her head was shav'd. a woman may as well have the tonsure, as not wear her veil: the one is as indecent as the other. A man ought not to be veil'd: he has the honour of being invested with authority from God, and may glory in his priority to the woman. for the man was not taken from the woman: but the woman from the man. nor was the man copied from the woman: but the woman from the man. therefore the woman ought to be veil'd, out of regard to the angels. however, the man and the woman are equal with respect to the Lord. for as the woman was taken from the man, so man is born of the woman: and all are from God. Be you yourselves judges: is it decent for a woman to pray to God without a veil? does not settled custom show it is a shame for a man to have long hair? on the contrary, such is an ornament to a woman: because it was given her as a sort of veil.
Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for they are not allowed to discourse there; but are to observe orders, as indeed the law implies: and if they desire to have information about any point, let them consult their husbands at home: for it does not become women to ask questions in the church.
I conjure Euodias, and I conjure Syntyche to be perfectly united in the Lord. yea, I intreat thee too, my faithful collegue, to assist them both, for they assisted me in the gospel, as well as Clement, and my other collegues, whose names are in the book of life.
For the divine savour has display'd its salutary effects to all mankind: