Paul and Women Essay

The role of women during the early Christian generation has always been contested. Until the present era, despite the increasing and growing advocacy for women rights and equality of gender, there are still a lot of issues and controversies regarding the matter. In the Gospel of Paul, written in the bible’s New Testament, the role of women in the society has been both emancipated and questioned. In Romans 16:1-7, Paul has affirmed the ministry of women by accepting the role of women as servants of the church. In addition to this, Paul has placed women in equal footing to men by mentioning Priscilla, wife of Aquila, for her high status. In the same verses as well, Paul also mentioned fellow female apostles, thus showing that women have been allowed to take their rightful places in the society during the early times (Keener, 2008). Moreover, in Galatians 3:26-28, Paul totally eliminated the distinction between men and women, along with removing the barriers between Jews and Greeks and slaves and free men (Zeolla, 2006). Through these verses, Paul has regarded women as men’s equal. On the other hand, in 1 Corinthians 11:2-15, the covering of women’s head rather put a different emphasis on gender roles and equality. In these passages, a woman is pertained to as a â€Å"glory of man. † And thus, she must cover her hair in order to prevent lustful intentions from other men. Insubordination from this rule renders a woman as an adulteress and vulgar (Keener, 2008). Despite the contradictions presented in the Corinthians verse, Paul has advocated for equality between men and women. Though the covering of women’s head has been treated as a means of women’s succumbing to men’s rule, the passages stated in Corinthians were explained as means in protecting the chastity and reputation of women in public.