Humans are wired for the structure of masculine authority. We crave that sense of order, and we suffer when we are deprived of it. It’s easier to see in regard to children, probably in large part because we have grown enough from that stage of life that our egos don’t bristle at the suggestion.
It's all throughout the New Testament regarding the natural order God intended and we see the evidence in the Old Testament as well. This is just ONE reason its so important to read God's instruction manual for our lives, in this flesh, and for our eternal life. The Bible is for EVERYONE and all NEED to read it daily - not just listen to someone else's interpretation or false doctrines or traditions of men - this Book for our discernment and knowledge! 1 Corinthians 11: 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
Collosians 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
1 Corinthians 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.)
11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God
1 Timothy 2:12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet woman will be saved through bearing children,[a] if she continues[b] in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.
Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; make and female he created them." NIV
Any rational person can see from this verse (regardless of which translation you use), that both man and woman were created in the image of God. This IS scripture. Scripture is that which was spoken BY God through the prophets (and Christ of course). I don't take Paul's words as scripture - I believe that is a mistake. He was highly inspired, yes, but his words were not the very words of God, i.e., not scriptural. i think his statement you quote in 1 Corinthians 7 is evidence of that since it contradicts Genesis 1:27.
All of scripture is Holy Spirit inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16) and 2 Peter 1:20 Written by the apostle PETER: 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
You say scripture is written through prophets by God? That's it? You obviously have not read the entire Bible and should do so before commenting. So you discount ALL of the apostles writings? That's the entire New Testament which IS the gospel (good news that Christ died for us)! Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Jude, Paul, James.
You either believe ALL or none - not pick and choose. Nothing contradicts Genesis at all. No one said men and women are not equal in value to God, as we were both made in His image, but we have different roles. Only a fleshly ego would discount Paul's epistle's.
Paul was an apostle, as much, if not more than the other 12. Christ CHOSE him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He used him as the vessel to spread the word to those who were initially not included in hearing the gospel. Have you read Acts and Saul's conversion after seeing Christ and being born of Christ's spirit? - Did you know he is a Jew who was initially persecuting those who followed The Way and God used him to preach to the Gentiles? Many more people came to Christ because of him and seeing the change in him, which could only be done by a merciful and gracious God.
If you don't take Pauls' words as Scripture(and apparently none of the other apostles either), then you are doing exactly what Jesus said in Revelation 22:19 "and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book".
I do take the gospels as scripture - I should have clarified that. But I stand by my opinion of Paul. It's a stretch to say that Paul's comment in 1 Corinthian 11 (not 7) does not contradict Genesis. He differentiates between man and woman thus: ("he (man) IS the image and glory of God") "BUT woman is the glory of man." No one is saying they're not equal in value before God, but Paul's statement implies that woman was not created directly in God's image, but indirectly in man's.
His statement about man not made from woman, but woman from man entails a literal interpretation of Genesis that God took a rib from Adam, and fashioned a woman. If you want to take that literally, more power to you. I believe it's truth, but is speaking in spiritual language. I also disagree with Paul's statement that man was not created for woman, but woman was created for man. That statement also is drawn from the Adam's rib story.
I've read the Bible many times through. All scripture is Divine (God's Word), but not everything in the Bible is scripture.
Just because Paul (again inspired by God) states woman is the glory of man doesn't = woman was not created in the image of God. One statement doesn't discount the other. Can't woman be the glory of man and STILL be made in the image of God? This is interjecting things that aren't there. Trebor, do you discount Acts, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude? What about Hebrews? You just said "all scripture is God's Word", but then say not everything is Scripture? Why do you choose to think Paul's epistles are not divine but not others? Is it just because there are things you disagree with? What about Moses?
Here's Peter: 1 Peter 3 "Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see your reverent and chaste behavior. 3 Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing, 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you do right and let nothing terrify you.
7 Likewise you husbands, live considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered."
I'm guessing you don't agree with that, so this must not be "scripture" but just opinion from Peter? See how this works? You either believe all or none. Where do you draw the line on what to follow and not? Does that depend upon YOUR opinion, flesh or ego?
Everything in the Bible has value, regardless of parts of a letter to the different churches asking to bring Paul something or stating he plans to visit or letting us know all his tribulations or travails while spreading the gospel - he was writing letters - 13 of them, which are 13 books in the New Testament. Paul telling them he hopes to visit or to please bring him something does not = all the rest is NOT inspired by God or not worthy of us following or obeying. Perhaps that's you trying to justify the parts you don't agree with or don't like.
The fact that you don't think the creation story is all literal sounds more like you are letting the fleshly desires of this world lead you rather than the spirit - making it a more personal disagreement and then you can ignore the parts you don't like by stating its not literal or just Paul's own opinion.
Do you believe God formed man first? Do you believe he made the animals for man to be a helper/companion? Do you believe God saw those weren't a good enough helper, so He made woman? Do you believe that God created ALL things? The entire story of creating the woman is detailed so how would it NOT be literal Trebor? Genesis 2:21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; 22 and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.
Woman was made FROM man and woman WAS made FOR man. If you are somehow bothered by this, then again you need to look to God and see if you are truly following Him or living for this world. What about the 10 Commandments, the moral law, which shows us all we are sinners and that is the reason we die? Eve sinned first and then Adam by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil - they disobeyed God and from that point on they were cursed with death. All of humanity are sinners and that is why we all die. God is paying us in wages for our sin and the wage is death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23 Christ took OUR rightful punishment on the cross, so we could live, and then rose from the dead, defeating death showing us we can defeat death as well but, we must repent and put our faith in Him alone.
Have you been made a new creation in Christ Trevor, have you been born again and repented? John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
1 Peter 1:23 Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Greetings. In short, when I say something isn't Scripture, I'm not saying it isn't true or good or lacks value. I'm just differentiating between kinds or styles or qualities of Biblical writings. For example, I read the Proverbs daily, they are full of profound and important wisdom for living, and they are true, but I don't consider them to be Scripture.
I want to give a clear example of a statement by Paul that is not scripture. That would be 2 Timothy 4:13. "When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus at Traos, and my scrolls...". This is clearly not God's Word. It's different from every word spoken by the Prophets, from the Gospels, and from Revelation.
Thank you for another outstanding article. The Truth will set men free 🙏
Truth! Truth! Truth!
It's all throughout the New Testament regarding the natural order God intended and we see the evidence in the Old Testament as well. This is just ONE reason its so important to read God's instruction manual for our lives, in this flesh, and for our eternal life. The Bible is for EVERYONE and all NEED to read it daily - not just listen to someone else's interpretation or false doctrines or traditions of men - this Book for our discernment and knowledge! 1 Corinthians 11: 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
Collosians 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
1 Corinthians 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.)
11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God
1 Timothy 2:12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet woman will be saved through bearing children,[a] if she continues[b] in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.
Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; make and female he created them." NIV
Any rational person can see from this verse (regardless of which translation you use), that both man and woman were created in the image of God. This IS scripture. Scripture is that which was spoken BY God through the prophets (and Christ of course). I don't take Paul's words as scripture - I believe that is a mistake. He was highly inspired, yes, but his words were not the very words of God, i.e., not scriptural. i think his statement you quote in 1 Corinthians 7 is evidence of that since it contradicts Genesis 1:27.
All of scripture is Holy Spirit inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16) and 2 Peter 1:20 Written by the apostle PETER: 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
You say scripture is written through prophets by God? That's it? You obviously have not read the entire Bible and should do so before commenting. So you discount ALL of the apostles writings? That's the entire New Testament which IS the gospel (good news that Christ died for us)! Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Jude, Paul, James.
You either believe ALL or none - not pick and choose. Nothing contradicts Genesis at all. No one said men and women are not equal in value to God, as we were both made in His image, but we have different roles. Only a fleshly ego would discount Paul's epistle's.
Paul was an apostle, as much, if not more than the other 12. Christ CHOSE him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He used him as the vessel to spread the word to those who were initially not included in hearing the gospel. Have you read Acts and Saul's conversion after seeing Christ and being born of Christ's spirit? - Did you know he is a Jew who was initially persecuting those who followed The Way and God used him to preach to the Gentiles? Many more people came to Christ because of him and seeing the change in him, which could only be done by a merciful and gracious God.
If you don't take Pauls' words as Scripture(and apparently none of the other apostles either), then you are doing exactly what Jesus said in Revelation 22:19 "and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book".
I do take the gospels as scripture - I should have clarified that. But I stand by my opinion of Paul. It's a stretch to say that Paul's comment in 1 Corinthian 11 (not 7) does not contradict Genesis. He differentiates between man and woman thus: ("he (man) IS the image and glory of God") "BUT woman is the glory of man." No one is saying they're not equal in value before God, but Paul's statement implies that woman was not created directly in God's image, but indirectly in man's.
His statement about man not made from woman, but woman from man entails a literal interpretation of Genesis that God took a rib from Adam, and fashioned a woman. If you want to take that literally, more power to you. I believe it's truth, but is speaking in spiritual language. I also disagree with Paul's statement that man was not created for woman, but woman was created for man. That statement also is drawn from the Adam's rib story.
I've read the Bible many times through. All scripture is Divine (God's Word), but not everything in the Bible is scripture.
Just because Paul (again inspired by God) states woman is the glory of man doesn't = woman was not created in the image of God. One statement doesn't discount the other. Can't woman be the glory of man and STILL be made in the image of God? This is interjecting things that aren't there. Trebor, do you discount Acts, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude? What about Hebrews? You just said "all scripture is God's Word", but then say not everything is Scripture? Why do you choose to think Paul's epistles are not divine but not others? Is it just because there are things you disagree with? What about Moses?
Here's Peter: 1 Peter 3 "Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see your reverent and chaste behavior. 3 Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing, 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are now her children if you do right and let nothing terrify you.
7 Likewise you husbands, live considerately with your wives, bestowing honor on the woman as the weaker sex, since you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered."
I'm guessing you don't agree with that, so this must not be "scripture" but just opinion from Peter? See how this works? You either believe all or none. Where do you draw the line on what to follow and not? Does that depend upon YOUR opinion, flesh or ego?
Everything in the Bible has value, regardless of parts of a letter to the different churches asking to bring Paul something or stating he plans to visit or letting us know all his tribulations or travails while spreading the gospel - he was writing letters - 13 of them, which are 13 books in the New Testament. Paul telling them he hopes to visit or to please bring him something does not = all the rest is NOT inspired by God or not worthy of us following or obeying. Perhaps that's you trying to justify the parts you don't agree with or don't like.
The fact that you don't think the creation story is all literal sounds more like you are letting the fleshly desires of this world lead you rather than the spirit - making it a more personal disagreement and then you can ignore the parts you don't like by stating its not literal or just Paul's own opinion.
Do you believe God formed man first? Do you believe he made the animals for man to be a helper/companion? Do you believe God saw those weren't a good enough helper, so He made woman? Do you believe that God created ALL things? The entire story of creating the woman is detailed so how would it NOT be literal Trebor? Genesis 2:21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; 22 and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.
Woman was made FROM man and woman WAS made FOR man. If you are somehow bothered by this, then again you need to look to God and see if you are truly following Him or living for this world. What about the 10 Commandments, the moral law, which shows us all we are sinners and that is the reason we die? Eve sinned first and then Adam by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil - they disobeyed God and from that point on they were cursed with death. All of humanity are sinners and that is why we all die. God is paying us in wages for our sin and the wage is death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23 Christ took OUR rightful punishment on the cross, so we could live, and then rose from the dead, defeating death showing us we can defeat death as well but, we must repent and put our faith in Him alone.
Have you been made a new creation in Christ Trevor, have you been born again and repented? John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
1 Peter 1:23 Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Greetings. In short, when I say something isn't Scripture, I'm not saying it isn't true or good or lacks value. I'm just differentiating between kinds or styles or qualities of Biblical writings. For example, I read the Proverbs daily, they are full of profound and important wisdom for living, and they are true, but I don't consider them to be Scripture.
I want to give a clear example of a statement by Paul that is not scripture. That would be 2 Timothy 4:13. "When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus at Traos, and my scrolls...". This is clearly not God's Word. It's different from every word spoken by the Prophets, from the Gospels, and from Revelation.