Woman, the Glory of Man—Lesson 1

Woman, the Glory of Man—Lesson 1

Series created by Lonnie C. Crowe

Copywrite 2018

Redeeming Eve

Woman is the glory of man?

"For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man" I Corinthians 11:7-9.

“This is a reference back to the Creation. God made man directly: "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" Genesis 2:7. Therefore man is made in the image of God and his existence brings honor (or glory) to God. Woman was also made in the image of God. "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" Genesis 1:27.

“Paul also argues that women bring honor to men because women were made by God for men. "And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him"" Genesis 2:18. Because woman was made to be a companion for man, she brings honor to man…. (http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVanswers/2011/03-04a.html)

Galatians 3:28.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

In spite of Paul’s teaching that we are all one in Christ, there were still a considerable number of misogynistic writings from the early church fathers that have continued to influence believers today.

 A few examples include:

“It was you who coaxed your way around him whom the devil had not the force to attack. With what ease you shattered that image of God: Man! Because of the death you merited, even the Son of God had to die . . . Woman, you are the gate to hell.” - Tertullian, “The Father of Latin Christianity” (c160-225): On the Apparel of Women, Ch. 1

“As regards the individual nature, woman is defective and misbegotten, for the active force in the male seed tends to the production of a perfect likeness in the masculine sex.” - Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, 13th century: Summa Theologica I q. 92 a.1

How do we account for these teachings and such harsh perspective?

It is important to recognize that this mindset does not come from careful Biblical exegesis, but rather reflects another strong philosophical influence that still impacts us today.

From at least the time of the great Greek philosophers in the 5th century BC until today, the liberally well-educated have been schooled in classic Greco-Roman mindsets and thought patterns. A proper understanding of Scripture requires a transforming of our minds, so we will understand the Word of God in its proper context, rather than through the lens of this European, or Western, way of thinking.

Aristotle believed women were inferior and described them as "deformed males.

Mythological Confusion

Because of the Greek mindset, biblical Eve is often confused or associated with Pandora.

According to classical mythology, the titan Prometheus created men and gave them many gifts—one of which was fire, stolen from the gods on Mt. Olympus. Zeus was angry and determined to punish Prometheus by creating a wife for him. He commissioned the blacksmith of the gods, Hephaestus, to forge a woman in his smithy.

She was lovely, and all the gods gave her gifts. One goddess gave Pandora the gift of curiosity. As a dowry, Zeus gave Pandora a lovely box filled with all the evils of the world.  The one good thing in the box was hope. Zeus then sent Pandora to Prometheus.

“Prometheus” means “forethought.”  He thought before he acted.  He saw the lovely woman and reasoned, “Zeus is angry with me.  If he has given me a gift, it must not be a good one.”  Therefore, he refused Pandora and her dowry.

However, Prometheus had a twin brother Epimetheus.  “Epimetheus” means “afterthought”.  He acted without thinking.  He saw that Pandora was lovely, gifted and had a dowry.  He married her.  After her marriage, the gift of curiosity stirred within Pandora.  She begged Epimetheus to open the box.  As they lifted the lid to the box, all the evils of the world poured out.  They quickly shut the box before the last item flew out of it.  They had inadvertently shut hope in the box.

In the Greek philosophical mindset, man will always be attracted to woman.  Woman will always bring trouble into his life and this troubled life is without hope.

What about Eve?

Genesis 2:7-8: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.”

Genesis 2:18. “And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.''

Helper comparable or helpmeet are translations of the Hebrew ezer kenegdo which means a helper who is the same as and who protects and supports.  The phrase and the English translation of the phrase do not indicate that the helper is in a subservient role or of lesser value.

Eve is not Pandora.  She was created as the perfect “help-meet” for Adam. God said that it is not good for the man to be alone.  Woman is his complement.  She completes man.  Because the woman was created from the man, together, they manifest the image of God in the earth.

Further thoughts:

Proverbs 1:20-21: Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words.

If the Bible personifies wisdom as a woman, God must have given women the potential of being wise. That makes sense. God created man in His own image.  He created woman from man. Therefore, all the attributes of God that He put into man must also be in woman.

Wisdom is an attribute of God.  Ergo, both men and women have potential to be wise.

Proverbs 31:10. Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

 11.  The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.

 12.  She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 13.  She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.

 14.  She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.

 15.  She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.

 16.  She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.

 17.  She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.

 18.  She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.

 19.  She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.

 20.  She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

 21.  She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.

 22.  She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

 23.  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24.  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.

 25.  Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.

 26.  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

 27.  She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 28.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

 29.  "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.''

 30.  Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

 31.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

So in God’s eyes, women are to be wise, motivated, strong, compassionate, loyal, and respected and honored by their husbands, children and the community.

Pandora was only pretty, curious and manipulative.

Arguments often heard:

But Eve ate that fruit and gave some to Adam.

She’s like Pandora.

She brought all the evil into the world.

St. Paul is considered by some to be a misogynist.  Please note that all the following scriptures are from the writings of St. Paul.

Roman’s 5:12. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

1 Timothy 2:14: And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

Pandora nagged, but Epimetheus opened the box.  Being deceived, Eve offered the fruit, but Adam, fully knowing what he was doing, chose to eat it. There is plenty of blame to go around.

Going back to Genesis:

Genesis 3: 12.  Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.''

Adam blamed God for giving him that woman.

 13.  And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?'' And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate.''

 14.  So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.

 15.  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.''

16.  To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.‘’

In God’s mercy, He chose woman to be the conduit of redemption and blessing.

In God’s economy, we have never been without hope.

What is this business about husbands ruling over their wives?

Ephesians 18b: but be filled with the Spirit,

 19.  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

 20.  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 21.  submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Then Paul goes on to explain how we are to submit ourselves to one another.  He begins with wives.

22. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

 24.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Then Paul speaks to the husbands.

5:28. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

 29.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

 30.  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

 31.  "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.''

Husbands are to love, protect, nurture and give themselves for their wives just as Christ loves, protects, nurtures and has given Himself for the Church.

Redemption and hope began in the Garden.

Genesis 3:20. “And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”

In Hebrew, Eve is Chavvah: life-giver.  A life-giver is one who produces offspring and much more ….  

Chavvahs are wise, motivated, strong, compassionate, loyal, and respected and honored by their husbands, children and the community.

Woman complements or completes man.  Therefore, man must complement woman.  If it is not good for man to be alone, it is not good for woman to be alone. Together, we manifest the image of God. Not just in the home, but in all walks of life.

Genesis 1:27.  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 28.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.''

 29.  And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

 30.  "Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food''; and it was so.

 31.  Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

Link to the Powerpoint:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dm36tz4ihk0ta3s/Redeeming%20Eve.pptx?dl=0