Jordyn Snow
WGS 3463-995 Women and Religion
Essay/Blog 4
This passage illustrates the shift in early Christianity from women being considered men’s equals, as represented by theundisputed Pauline writings, to the subjugation of women portrayed by Ephesians 5:21-6:9. From Paul’s perspective in Galatians, there was no longer a distinction between women and men (Gal 3:28). Paul worked with many women who were in positions of power during the early days of Christianity. His attitude towards equality highlighted in Romans, Galatians, andFirst Corinthians, could have empowered women during the early foundation of Christianity and contributed to their increased involvement in duties outside of the home. According to Joanna Dewey, the prescriptive style of writing presented by First Timothy indicates that women were deviating from their tradition roles. There would be no need to advocate the proper place of women if women were already fulfilling these duties (Dewey 596). Paul’s embrace of a radical new identity in Christ at times conflicted with the prescribed household duties already prevalent in society. For this reason, post-Pauline writers fromlater generations may have reinterpreted Paul’s work to include traditional family values and hierarchies (Johnson 578). Thisreinterpretation is reflected by the treatment of women inEphesians.
Ephesians 5:21-6:9 attributes women devoted to Christwith a submissive character. The comparison between a woman’s relationship to her husband and her relationship to the Lord obligates women to “worship,” or respect, their husbands as they would the Lord (Eph 5:22). This would include obeying the commands of their husbands even if they caused suffering to the women. Husbands are also compared to Christ (Eph 5:23-24). The assumption from reading this passage suggests that women were not complacent being under their husbands control,necessitating a passage to convince women that being subject to their husbands was the devout thing to do. The rest of the passage, Ephesians 5:25-33, relies on a comparison between the marriage relationship and the relationship between Christ and the church. Though this passage is focused on husbands, there is still a message women could gather from the text. The emphasis on the similarities between the bond women have to their husbands in marriage and their bond to the church could persuade women to focus their attention on fulfilling household duties instead of church duties outside the home because the text establishes the similar value of the relationships. Overall, this passage in Ephesians could imply that during the period in which it was written women were assuming a position of equality with men. The author of Ephesians is attempting to remind women of their rightful position under the authority of their husbands, encouraging a shift back to the traditional hierarchal household system.
Impressive writing, I think you gleaned quite a lot out of our reading. I totally agree with you on all of your points and am glad that others are seeing some of he same things I am. It is, to me, a sad step back for women to be told that their husband is to be their ruler like Christ is to them. It reeks of masculine power play and shows, like you stated, that there must have been a significant threat for these prescriptions to be written. It does show that churches following Paul's teachings do have women who are active and authoritative. Great post!
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