In the bible, the brothers, James and John, demonstrated this type of domineering disposition when they asked Jesus to allow them both to sit next to Him on His throne of grace in Heaven - one would sit on the left, and the other on the right. “Grant us to sit, one at the right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (Mk. 10:37).  

Jesus' answer had stunned them when He replied, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so with you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life for a ransom of all” (Mk. 10: 42–45). 

Jesus wanted to impress upon them that those who were given authority, were to be the greatest of God's servants; slaves to all, and that this virtue was the most important when exercising leadership over others.

Until Jesus came, women in Israel and most other countries/religions, had very few, if in fact, no privileges or rights when it came to family, community and church. In Israel, they were ostracized under the Old Testament, and even in worship to God, both in the synagogue and in the temple. 

Women and men were physically separated in the church;  the women sat in one court, and the men in another. Women were to remain silent, and if they wanted to say anything, they had to ask for permission and have their husbands to speak for them.

The bible teaching that women are " lesser" or inferior is the wrong translation and interpretation of the scripture. Particularly when it comes to Apostle Paul's writings about husband and wife relationships found in Ephesians Chapter 5: 

”Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything" (Eph. 5:21–24).

In Greek, the scripture is best translated:

“I want you (referring to husbands and wives) to "volunteer" to minister to each other. For the husband is responsible for the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Wives I want you to "volunteer" to minister to your husbands as to the Lord. As the church "volunteers" to serve Christ, so let wives "volunteer" to minister to their husbands.” 

When we correctly interpret this passage from Greek, the act is not that of submission, but more so, the willingness to "volunteer" to do so.

Regrettably, the King James Bible was translated according to a society where women had "no rights." Ever since then, these dreadful translations have robbed women of their Christian rights under Jesus for decades. 

Even still, many are blinded; they continue to look upon Proverbs Chapter 32 as the best characterization of “a good wife” when she is really portrayed as a slave. 

However, thanks be to Jesus that this oppression on women finally ended when Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary and proclaimed, “It is finished.” (Jn. 19:30) The prophesy was fulfilled and His new Testament Covenant was established; superseding the old (Zech. 11:10;14 ). 

God's grace changed everything, and the yolk of sin and slavery had been lifted from all people (including women). We can be grateful for the works of Jesus Christ, that women are no longer seen as lesser, inferior or second-fiddle. Paul said it best, “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” (Gal. 3:28). 

Christian women and men all have ministry in Jesus Christ just as anyone who has received Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Even when the first church began, women played a significant role in leadership, namely as pastors, apostles (Rom. 16:17), and prophets (Acts 2:8–9), as well as leading in house churches (Philip 4:2). Jesus also pointed out that the best leaders in church are also to be the best servants of all (Mk. 10:42–45). 

 

 

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31:10-12;25-31)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life. (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it. (Proverbs 22:6)

A kindhearted woman gains respect.(Proverbs 11:16)

Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you. (Exodus 20:12)

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

(Proverbs 14:1)

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The Apostle Paul said, "...the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Saviour" (Eph. 5:23).

Paul is saying that like Jesus, with His bride (the church), it is the husband's responsibility to make certain that his family, including himself, knows Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord; and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The role of the husband is not the boss who has the last word on everything, but he is the one responsible to help guide his family in a right relationship with Jesus.

Jesus is our boss and one we need to listen and turn to when we need answers. He is our Shepherd who chases after us when we get lost, and can't find our way: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

It is the husband's responsibility to encourage his family to use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:6-8;1 and Cor. 12:8-10) so that they can all be witnesses (Acts 1:8) for Jesus Christ. It's is upon the husband to develop "worship" (1 Cor. 14:26) in his own home so that when the family participate in a church fellowship, they know how to worship "God in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24). The husband cannot do everything, but must encourage every member of his household to listen to the Holy Spirit (Rev. 2:7) for guidance on how they are to participate.

We need Christian parents who have the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22-23); who have the character and "mind of Christ" (1 Col. 2:16); who pray together about everything (Eph. 6:18), and who "volunteer" to minister to each other, their families and in the church.