Is a Woman’s Place in the Home? Did God Design Women for Specific Roles in the Home, Church and Society?
Of Course!? Of course not!?
Here is a Twitter message I came across recently. What’s is your reaction?


The commenters both support and question the sentiment of the original post.
Is “homemaking” God’s design for women? Are careers and income creation not God’s design for women? What is God’s design for men? 🤔
Let’s have a real conversation!
What are the Different Views?
The view that men and women are equal but have specific and different God-given roles is commonly called Complementarianism.
This chart describes the spectrum of beliefs about gender roles and authority:
Christians generally hold beliefs somewhere between Equality and Patriarchy. Matriarchy is not taught or implied anywhere in the Bible, so we will not consider it for this discussion.
Here are a couple articles which give an overview of Egalitarianism, Complementarianism, and Patriarchy:
Biblical Gender Roles is an entire site devoted to promoting patriarchy. (Be warned, many of the ideas on that site will shock even otherwise conservative Christians.)
Let’s look at each one briefly…
Egalitarianism
Egalitarians believe women should fully exercise their gifts in all areas of life, without limitation.
…egalitarianism goes further to state that men and women are considered equal in role capabilities as well; there are no gender restrictions on what roles men and women can fulfill in the church, home, and society.
This view holds that the teachings and attitudes of Jesus and the New Testament abolished gender-specific roles as well as roles related to class and race. - Christianity.com
N.T. Wright has written one of the more scholarly articles in favor of egalitarianism, and he advocates for women serving in all Church ministry.
Complementarianism
Complementarians believe that men and women have different roles which fill in gaps for each other. The term was first reflected in the Danvers statement in the 1980s.
The first tenet of complementarianism is that men and women are equal in personhood. There is no difference in worth. Rather, proponents of complementarianism believe that men and women have separate, though equal, roles in marriage, family life, the church, and elsewhere. - Christianity.com
Patriarchy/Hyper-Headship
Men and women are made in the image of God, but in a patriarchy, daughters and wives are subservient to fathers and husbands in every area of life. For example, the former laws in the USA which allowed only men to vote are a reflection of a patriarchal perspective.
In marriage, God has not only placed husbands in authority over their wives, but he also given them ownership of their wives. - Source
How complementarianism falls short gives a perspective on how patriarchal “male domination of women” is the Biblical model:
In an article entitled “God Created Man Male and Female – What Does It Mean to Be Complementarian?”, John Piper explains that complementarianism was designed to take the “middle ground” between what he and other Christian leaders saw as “two kinds of errors” in the churches. The first error which we have already addressed was egalitarianism.
But then there was a second error that complementarianism was designed to address. And that error, from their point of view, was male domination of women in society, the church and the home. They believed the terms “traditional” and “patriarchy” were linked with male domination and “the history of abuses of women personally and systemically”. And it was because of this, that the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood decided that a new term must be coined to replace “traditional” and “patriarchy” in regard to the discussion of gender roles. So, they coined the term “complementarian”.
Why is this an Important Conversation?
Here are a few reasons why understanding the Biblical role of women is vitally important for every Christian:
You are a man or woman (controversial, I know). So, understanding gender roles is applicable to everyone! Men are also affected by how we understand women’s roles.
The Bible appears to limit how and where women can use their gifts. Christian women wonder how they should use their gifts.
The Bible seems to give women a subordinate position to men in the home and church. Some Christians have trouble reconciling their faith with their sense of equality.
Christians disagree with each other about the roles of women in the home, church and society. Women serving in ministry is often a test of orthodoxy and cause for division. Christians are called to unity (John 17, Romans 14, 1 Cor 3), so any issue which causes division in the Church is worth exploring more.

Is Complementarianism an issue worth dividing over? Al Mohler explored that question recently:


There are so many diverse opinions and vigorous debates, but what does the Bible say?
What does the Bible Say about Women?
I will reference some surprising and interesting passages below, but please dig deeper and bring more to the discussion!
Marriage and Children
Paul encourages some women to choose to stay single, and not become a wife/mother - 1 Corinthians 7
38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. 39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Bringing up children is a good work for women - 1 Timothy 5:9-10 ESV
“Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.”
Young women should learn to work at home - Titus 2:3-5 ESV
“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
A husband’s prayers are impacted by how he treats his wife - 1 Peter 3:7 ESV
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
There is no marriage in heaven - Matthew 22
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Male and Female
Galatians 3:28
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Leviticus 27
1The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the valuation of persons, 3 then the valuation of a male from twenty years old up to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 4 If the person is a female, the valuation shall be thirty shekels.
Working Women
Ruth worked to provide food for herself and family - Ruth 2:7 ESV
“She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”
The wise wife generates income and resources for the family - Proverbs 31
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard… She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Women provided for Paul and others - Romans 16:1-2 ESV
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant [deacon in some versions] of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.”
Women travelled with and provided for Jesus and the disciples - Luke 8:1-3 ESV
“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”
Clothing
Women should not braid their hair, wear certain jewelry, or expensive clothing - 1 Tim 2:9 (and 1 Peter 3)
likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
Wives should wear a covering on their head - 1 Corinthians 11
5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
Authority
Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord (Try that with your husband or wife!) - 1 Peter 3:5-6 ESV
“For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.”
Husbands are the head of their wife as Christ is the head of the Church - Ephesians 5
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
The wife has authority over the husband’s body - 1 Corinthians 7
4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
Teaching and Ministry
1 Timothy 2:9-15 ESV
Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”
Priscilla taught Apollos - Acts 18:26 ESV
“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
How silent is silent? Is singing included? - 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 ESV
“the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”
Anna was a prophetess who spoke to others about God - Luke 2
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Paul labored next to several women in the Gospel ministry - Philippians 4:2-3 ESV
“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”
Jesus encouraged Mary to listen to his teaching instead of serving - Luke 10
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
The disciples were surprised that Jesus spoke with a woman - John 4:27 ESV
“Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?””
How Do Gender Role Perspectives Affect Society?
Until recent US history, women had significantly limited rights compared to men. For example:
Until 1920, women did not have the right to vote.
“Until the mid-1970s, banks and other financial institutions denied married women in the U.S. credit cards or loans in their own name, and single women also had trouble getting credit.” - Article
Discrimination against mothers or pregnant women was common until the 1970s. “Some loan officers asked for “baby letters,” written promises that a woman would continue working if she had a child. It also wasn’t unheard of for lenders to require letters from a woman’s doctor stating she was on birth control.”
Given the influence of Christianity in the founding of the United States, many of these laws may have been enacted based on a patriarchal Biblical perspective. So, the interpretation of Biblical gender roles has had a significant impact on our society.
10 Discussion Questions
What surprised you from the articles or Bible verses? What questions do you have?
Is mothering and homemaking a wife’s God-given role? What is “homemaking”? How did you come to your conclusions?
What guidance do you give to older girls or single women about pursuing a job and career?
How have you been impacted by gender role decisions? Are there activities you do or don’t do because of your or others’ view on women’s roles? Have any of these been a struggle for you?
When you see a woman wearing a cloth head covering, how do you react? How do your thoughts align or conflict with your perspective on the role of women?
The United States has shifted from a male-dominated society to a more equal and in some cases female led society. Which one is more Biblically accurate? Was the women’s suffrage movement Biblical?
“The theology of the evangelical world today is a theology dominated by untethered women, and of the men who have decided to echo them, albeit with a faint masculine sheen—and getting fainter by the year. What is said publicly in the course of our evangelical discourse today is either said by women, or said in a way calculated not to offend the women. The evangelical world today is consequently thoroughly effeminate…” -Article. How do you feel about this statement?
What is your understanding of “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man”? Does it limit women within the Church leadership or other corporate/government leadership structures? Should a woman teach or lead a man in any secular (non-church) context?
“Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” If you are married, is your spouse your equal partner, subordinate, or leader? What are some practical ways you demonstrate this? Can husbands act independently of their wife? Is a wife allowed to veto her husband?
Is there anything you want to change as a result of this discussion?
Where can Christians Unite?
Here are a few possibilities to consider:
Men and women are made in the image of God and each reflect aspects of His Character.
Men and women are each given the all the gifts of the Spirit and have ways to exercise them.
Men and women have real biological differences which equip them for some roles better than others.
…What else?
In our next discussion on May 1st, I hope we can all learn from each other. If you think someone else would enjoy the discussion, please click on “My Account” on the top menu and “Send Invite” to email them the info.
What do you think about this topic? What is your perspective?