A “role” is a duty, a function, or a job that a person performs or is expected to perform in a society. Scholars disagree about what the Bible teaches about the roles of men and women.
When scholars discuss the roles of men and women, they usually talk about verses in the Bible such as Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, and Titus 2:3-5. They also talk about what certain women in the Bible did, such as Priscilla (see: Acts 18:26; Romans 16:3), Phoebe (see: Romans 16:1-2), and Junias (see: Romans 16:7).
Some scholars think that the Bible teaches that only men should perform certain roles and women should perform other roles. These scholars say that only men should be leaders in the church. They say that women can teach other women and children, but women cannot lead men. These scholars also say that men are leaders of their families. A wife must submit to her husband because he is the leader of the family.
Scholars use the word “complementarian” to talk about thinking in this way. That is, men and women have different but complementary roles. They have different ways of serving one another and of serving God.
Other scholars think that God gave permission to both men and women to be leaders in the church. They say that both men and women can be leaders of their families.
Scholars use the word “egalitarian” to talk about thinking in this way. That is, men and women are completely equal in the roles they can perform. These scholars say that there is no difference in roles between men and women after Jesus died.
Scholars agree that God loves and values both men and women (see: Genesis 1:27).
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