Biblical womanhood refers to the roles, responsibilities, and calling that God has designed for women according to Scripture. At the heart of biblical womanhood is the understanding that men and women, though equal in essence and value before God, have been created by God to fulfill different roles and purposes in life.
Women Created in God’s Image
The Bible teaches that both men and women are created in the image of God and share the same dignity and worth before their Creator. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Though different in their gender, men and women equally reflect God’s image and share the same status as God’s image-bearers.
Equality and Difference
While Scripture affirms the equality of men and women before God, it also teaches that God has designed men and women to fulfill distinct and complementary roles. The Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:7-9 that “man is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.” Though equally human, men and women have been fashioned by God to fulfill their own special purposes according to their gender.
Male Headship
A key concept in biblical womanhood is male headship. This means that God has called men to take responsibility and spiritual leadership over women in specific ways. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church…Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” Male headship means that men have the primary responsibility of authority and provision in the home and the church.
The Calling of Wives
One of the most prominent themes of biblical womanhood is the calling of wives. Scripture provides much teaching about God’s design and calling for wives:
- Wives are called to submit to and respect their husbands – Ephesians 5:22-24, 33; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6
- Wives should manage their households well – Proverbs 31:10-31; Titus 2:5; 1 Timothy 5:14
- Wives should love their children and nurture the next generation – Titus 2:4
- Wives should seek to be “workers at home” – Titus 2:5
- Wives should care for those in need and the poor – 1 Timothy 5:10
- Wives should dress modestly and focus on inner beauty – 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:3-5
In summary, Scripture calls wives to focus on their families, households, hospitality, good works, and developing godly character. Submission to and support of her husband is central to her role in marriage.
The Calling of Mothers
Motherhood is a core part of biblical womanhood. Children are consistently referred to as a blessing from the Lord and bearing children is seen as part of God’s design for most women (Psalm 127:3-5). The Bible encourages mothers to:
- Instruct children in the faith – Proverbs 1:8, 6:20; Psalm 78:5-6
- Discipline children appropriately – Proverbs 13:24, 22:15, 29:15
- Nurture and care for children – Isaiah 49:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:7
- Model godliness before children – Titus 2:3-5, 1 Timothy 5:14
Godly mothers play a vital role in raising the next generation of covenant children who follow the Lord.
Gender Roles in the Church
Biblical womanhood also defines appropriate roles for men and women in the church:
- Elders and pastors should be qualified men – 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
- Women should remain quiet in church services – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
- Women should not teach men or exercise authority over them – 1 Timothy 2:11-15
- Women have an important role in ministering to other women – Titus 2:3-5
While the office of elder/pastor is reserved for qualified men, women have many important roles in ministering to the body of Christ.
Developing Godly Character
Biblical womanhood is not ultimately about specific roles or tasks, but about developing godly character qualities. Scripture emphasizes the importance of women growing in:
- Faith – Hebrews 11:11; 1 Timothy 2:15
- Purity and discretion – 1 Timothy 2:9; Titus 2:5
- Sound judgment – Titus 2:5
- Love, patience and self-control – 2 Timothy 3:10; Galatians 5:22-23
- Godliness and good works – 1 Timothy 2:10; 5:10; Titus 2:7
- Reverence and quiet spirit – 1 Peter 3:2,4
- Strength and dignity – Proverbs 31:25
- Wisdom and kindness – Proverbs 31:26
- The fear of the Lord – Proverbs 31:30
More important than the specific roles women fill is that they exemplify Christ-like character in all they do.
Men and Women Complete One Another
While men and women have distinct roles and responsibilities, Scripture presents their callings as beautifully complementary. The Proverbs 31 woman exemplifies a wife and mother who fulfills her duties with excellence and in harmony with her husband’s leadership. Ephesians 5 compares the relationship between husband and wife to that of Christ and the Church. Biblical womanhood flourishes when husbands and wives work together in pursuit of God’s design for marriage and family.
Finding Fulfillment in Biblical Womanhood
In a culture that seeks to blur gender distinctions, biblical womanhood can sometimes be portrayed as limiting or oppressive for women. However, Scripture presents its calling on women as life-giving. When lived according to God’s design, biblical womanhood cultivates beauty, purpose, and fulfillment in a woman’s life. By devoting herself to the home, family, hospitality, and good works, a woman plays an irreplaceable role in forming the bedrock of a stable society. She exercises profound influence and experiences deep fulfillment as she invests in what lasts for eternity – her family and her faith.
Caveats and Cautions
In exploring biblical womanhood, there are a few important caveats to mention:
- Cultural traditions should not be confused with biblical truth. Some church traditions have placed further restrictions on women that go beyond Scripture.
- There are exceptions to some role differences when necessity demands it. Deborah was a judge over Israel (Judges 4). Women should similarly fill leadership gaps when no men are available and able.
- Singleness is celebrated in Scripture. While marriage and motherhood are portrayed as a common and noble calling for women, singleness is also presented as a godly option (1 Corinthians 7).
- Submission does not mean inferiority, but recognizes the created order. The Son submits to the Father, though equal in essence (1 Corinthians 15:28).
- Husbands should love and sacrifice for their wives as Christ did the church (Ephesians 5:25). Authority should not be exercised harshly or selfishly.
Biblical womanhood deserves careful study to avoid cultural distortions on the one hand, and overreaction on the other.
Controversies and Objections
In recent generations, biblical womanhood has been met with controversy and objections from several angles. It will be helpful to address a few of these briefly:
Claim: The Bible is oppressive to women
Scripture clearly teaches respect, dignity, and protection for women – radical concepts in the ancient world. Jesus treated women with compassion, dignity, and value. The problem today is not the Bible, but sin and abuse by those who do not live by its teachings. Biblical authority is not the problem, but rather the solution.
Claim: “Gender roles” limit giftedness
God sovereignly distributes spiritual gifts according to His divine purposes, not human notions of equality (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11). Women have profound domains like the home through which to exercise their gifts. Modern cultural standards should not define how gifts can be used.
Claim: “Mutual submission” nullifies authority
Scripture never presents submission as mutual or reciprocal between husbands and wives. Rather, wives are called to submit specifically to their “own husbands” as the church does to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24). Attempts to make submission mutual undermine the headship role of husbands clearly taught in Scripture.
Claim: Culture has changed biblical roles
Scripture speaks directly to culture, not the other way around. The church is called to reform to biblical standards, not conform to cultural trends. Christians should thoughtfully distinguish which cultural norms reflect biblical values versus those that do not. Biblical womanhood remains countercultural.
Claim: We should focus on gifts, not gender
Spiritual gifts must be exercised with biblical wisdom. While women may have equal access to God’s gifts, principles like male headship and roles in the church remain. Gifts do not nullify God’s created order and design. Christians celebrate the full range of spiritual gifts, while also embracing God’s beautiful design for manhood and womanhood.
Practical Implications
Seeking to apply a biblical vision of manhood and womanhood has many practical implications for the Christian life today. Here are a few suggestions for both men and women:
- Study Scripture’s teachings thoroughly. Do not rely solely on traditions or culture for your views.
- Examine your heart. Seek to repent of resentment, pride, or rebellion in this area.
- Make decisions prayerfully. Listen to parents, pastors, and trusted counsel when considering major choices like education, career, and roles in home.
- Choose a biblical, gospel-proclaiming church where male leadership is faithfully practiced.
- Find mentors of your own gender who model biblical manhood or womanhood well.
- If married, purpose to exemplify biblical marriage roles. Make mutual submission to Christ the priority.
- Respect those in authority rather than resisting or undermining their leadership.
- Develop your gifts to serve your family, community, and church as fits your life-situation.
- Mentor younger men or women in their faith and calling.
The body of Christ needs both men and women embracing God’s design to display the beauty of the gospel.
Conclusion
Biblical womanhood is God’s life-giving and refreshing design for women. As Christian women, we find our greatest joy and purpose when we embrace God’s calling over the values of the world. While countercultural, Scripture promises that obedience to God’s design leads to thriving. By reflecting Christ-like character, cultivating community, and transmitting virtue to the next generation, women play an irreplaceable role in God’s story and find profound fulfillment in biblical womanhood.
