39 Bible Verses about Women's Roles

For as the woman originates from the man, so also man is born through the woman; and all things [whether male or female] originate from God [as their Creator].

Nevertheless, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

for indeed man was not created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man.

I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [in the congregation].

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head (authority over) of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ.

But women will be preserved (saved) through [the pain and dangers of] the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control and discretion.

For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man;

but if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her long hair is given to her as a covering.

For this reason God gave them over to degrading and vile passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural [a function contrary to nature],

so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children,

A man ought not have his head covered [during worship], since he is the image and [reflected] glory of God; but the woman is [the expression of] man’s glory.

Therefore the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, for the sake of the angels [so as not to offend them].

For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body.

He shall take a wife in her virginity.

If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should cover her head.

And every woman who prays or prophesies when she has her head uncovered disgraces her head; for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved [in disgrace].

A widow is to be put on the list [to receive regular assistance] only if she is over sixty years of age, [having been] the wife of one man,

to be sensible, pure, makers of a home [where God is honored], good-natured, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly] with her head uncovered?

She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.

The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with good will and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband.

the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says.

Older women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor addicted to much wine, teaching what is right and good,

A woman must quietly receive instruction with all submissiveness.

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christlike in character].

She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Now I introduce and commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess (servant) of the church at Cenchrea,

Now as for Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her in as his [own] daughter, when her turn came to go in to the king, she requested nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch [and attendant] who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther found favor in the sight of all who saw her.

She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

“If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, the widow of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall be intimate with her after taking her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.

And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified,

But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.

Does not common sense itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him,

Now if anyone is inclined to be contentious [about this], we have no other practice [in worship than this], nor do the churches of God [in general].

Now when it was each young woman’s turn to go before King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with [sweet] spices and perfumes and the beauty preparations for women—

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

He was the guardian of Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had no father or mother. The young woman was beautiful of form and face; and when her father and mother died, Mordecai took her in as his own daughter.

But there was a strong (fortified) tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower.