Are Men and Women Equal? A Biblical Answer

Talk about equality is usually explained like this: “Women are the same in a lot of ways as men, and they’ve been left out and discriminated against. Women deserve to be in the same spaces as men—politically, economically, socially—and share the same rights. Men and women are equal.”

Is this true? Are men and women equal? Let’s see what the Bible has to say. All the following Scripture references are from the New Living Translation Bible.

The sexes are spiritually equal

1. Both are equal partners in God’s gift of new life

1 Peter 3:7 says, “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”

The “new life” is the life after a man or woman repents of their sins and becomes a new creature—a child of God. This was a spiritual event and not a material or physical change.

2. Both were made in God’s image

Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’”

The soul’s of men and women were made to be like God. They both have a mind, will, emotions and a connection and awareness of the spiritual realm.

3. Both were good until sin corrupted their souls

Genesis 1:31 says, “Then God looked over all he had made [including men and women], and he saw that it was very good!”

Later, the first man and woman disobeyed God’s command and ate from the forbidden tree and sinned; causing their children to be born into sin. Therefore, Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

4. Both genders have equal access to salvation

Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

5. Both are equally accountable for their sins

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”

Romans 14:12 says, “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.” Matthew 12:36 says, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” Romans 2:11 says, “For God does not show favoritism.”

Men and women are unequal in all areas of society

1 .Women were made for men.

Genesis 2:18 says, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

1 Corinthians 11:8-9 says, “For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man.”

Since the woman was taken from the man and created for the purpose of helping the man, women cannot be equal to men.

2. Wives are called to submit to their husbands

Ephesians 5:22-24 says, “For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.”

Since wives are commanded to submit to their husbands, they cannot be equal to them.

3. Women aren’t permitted to speak or teach

1 Timothy 2:11-14 says, “Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.”

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says, “Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.”

Since women are commanded not to teach men, have authority over men, and to be silent in church meetings, they cannot be equal to men.

4. Men were made to rule over women

Genesis 3:16 says, “Then he said to the woman, ‘I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.'”

Since men were made to rule over women, this makes women subordinate to men. Therefore, men and women cannot be equal.

5. The head of the woman is the man

1 Corinthians 11:3 says, “But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”

Again, how can women be equal to men when a woman’s head (or leadership) is a man? Men and women have god-given biological ranks.

Conclusion

Both men and women are valuable, have sinned, have access to salvation, will be judged for their sins, and held accountable for their actions. No gender is more righteous than the other. But the man rules the woman. God designed it this way. He is the head of his wife and the leader of society.

The woman is his helper designed to reflect his vision, please him, and carry out his desires. Any other structure is perverted, unnatural, and will end in disaster. Men and women are incapable of being equal in society.

This ministry is no longer in service. I left the Christian faith and no longer agree with some of the content posted here. However, this website will remain available for archive purposes. Read the details in my last post.