1. Genesis - The Seed Plot

2. THE CREATION OF MAN

3. The Types

4. The Mind of God for Man

5. The major Points

6. Man Should Not be Alone

7. A Help Fit For Man

8. A Deep Sleep

9. He Took a Rib

10. Bone of His Bone

11. She Shall Be Called Woman

12. Summary of Genesis 2

13. The Position of The Church

14. The Writer's Comments

15. WOMAN AFTER THE FALL

16. The Order of Decrees or Curses

17. The Woman's Decrees or Curses

18. The Man's Curse

19. WOMAN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

20. 1 Corinthians 11

21. The Protocol of the Types

22. God as creator

23. Two Areas of Protocol

24. 1 Corinthians 11 Continued

25. Verse 3

26. Comments on Verse 3

27. Verse 4

28. Verse 5

29. Comments on Verse 4-5

30. WOMAN'S SILENCE

31. 1 Corinthians 14:34

32. Comments on Verse 34

33. 1 Timothy 2:8-12

34. 1 Corinthians 11:6-15

35. Verse 6

36. Comments on Verse 5

37. Verse 7

38. Comments on Verse 7

39. Comments on Verse 8-9

40. Verse 10

41. Comments on Verse 10

42. Now in The Church

43. The Hereafter

44. Because of The Angels

45. Rank and Order

46. Mutually Dependant

47. The Lessons of Nature

48. Her Glory

49. Her Covering

50. THE WOMAN IN EPHESIANS

51. Husbands Wives Christ and The Church

52. Ephesians 5 Verse 22

53. Comments on Verse 22

54. No command to Love

55. Respect for Authority Must BE Earned

56. Verse 23

57. Comments on Verse 24

58. Verse 25

59. The Pattern

60. Responsibility

61. Power

62. Christ the Antitype

63. Verse 26

64. Comments on Verse 26

65. Verse 27

66. Comments on Verse 27

67. Verses 28-29

68. Comments on Verses 28 & 29

69. Comments on Verse 30

70. SUMMARY

71. In the Church

72. The Chaste Virgin

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73. The Original Enmity

74. The Woman's Role

75. The Woman's Testimony

76. What Must I Do?

77. Where and What do I Read?

78. 1 Timothy 2:9

79. Comments on Verse 9

80. More On Verse 9

81. The Comparison in Verse 9

82. The Balance of Chapter 2

83. Child-bearing

84. 1 Timothy 3:11

85. 1 Timothy 5:9

CHRISTIAN WIFE - UNSAVED HUSBAND

86. 1 Peter 3

87. Verse 1 - First Part

88. Comments on Verse 1 - First Part

89. Verse 1 - Last Part

90. Comments on Verse 1 - Last Part

91. Verse 2

92. Comments on Verse 2

93. Preface to Verse 3 & 4

94. Verse 3

95. Comments on Verse 3

96. Verse 4

97. Comments on Verse 4

98. Verse 5

99. Comments on Verse 5

100. Verse 6

101. Comments on Verse 6

102. SUMMARY

THE WOMAN'S DEFENCE

103. Two apparent Exceptions

104. Testing - The First Exception

105. Chastisement - The Second Testing

APPENDIX 1

106 The Major Considerations

107. Hair

108. Dress

109. Summary

Quotations are from the King James Version or the J N Darby New Translation. Greek words are explained from W E Vines "Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

These notes are extremely brief, and are intended for the student of scripture to read, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead further into the truth. There are a number of points repeated throughout the notes with the express purpose of stressing the vital importance of the points so repeated.

The main purpose of the notes is to impress on the christian woman her glorious role in presenting a picture of the church which will radiate the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout all eternity as the moon does the sun.

The secondary purpose is to show her that her obedient witness has a mighty power to the saving of souls without one spoken word, and that all the mighty power of God is on hand to defend her, the weaker vessel, in time of need.

It is unfortunate that the notes should have been written with the passage 2 Timothy 4 in view, and in particular verse 2. As one studies the modern assembly one is amazed at the almost universal departure from the Word of God. Sound doctrine is not endured, and with all the heaps of teachers it is sad to see no recovery. In very few instances faithful christians have been forced from what once were sound assemblies, and meet literally in twos and threes. We look forward to that day when we shall be taken to be with Him forever. We will look up and see our glorious Lord and Saviour in that place which is His by right and by merit, with the Father, "at His own right hand, in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come", " and "given Him a name which is above every name". We will bow before Him and shout our hallelujahs, and own Him as Lord.

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Able students have no problem in identifying the age we live in as one of perversion. God's order is perverted, and the ways of man become more closely identified with those of Sodom and Gomorrah. One of the fiercest of Satan's attacks is against women. The reader is to be aware that these are only notes, and they do not attempt to go into the subject in depth. The purpose is to provide a framework of knowledge for the student to further study the subject.

These notes attempt to describe the place and importance of women and bring spiritual people back to the purposes of God. To understand the role of women in the church and home is vital, and can never be underestimated. These notes are written with a very positive outlook, and it is not intended to stress the usual negatives. In fact we will find the role of the woman is indeed wonderful; more of that later.

As usual the best place to start is at the beginning, and we will look at the first reference to woman in the bible, Gen.2:22. Before we do so, however, we will study the context in which it is found. In chapter 1 God made man as His last creatorial work, "and God saw everything that He had made, and behold it was very good".

Then "And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all the work which He had made", Gen.2:2. In "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life of life; and man became a living soul". Gen.2:7, He then placed man in the sinless environment that He had created, and made him lord of it all. He was also given the task of tilling and guarding it. It was whilst man was in that position that God prohibited the eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Now it is not difficult for the spiritual mind to see that Adam then is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lord of all he surveyed and the keeper of it. In addition it was the order of things that Adam fellowshipped with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Man had no like companion. As he tilled the ground, and managed and watched the animals he would have noted part and counterpart, but as for himself he was alone.

As we progress through this part of Genesis we must note the types which are portrayed. It is essential to study them otherwise a full appreciation of the antitype may not be gained. Are types important?

First note, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable... " 2 Tim.3:16. It is the direct word of God. Secondly "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning..", Rom.15:4. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [(tupos) = patterns]: and they are written for our admonition [(nouthesia) = to put in the mind], upon whom the ends of the world have come", 1 Cor.10:11.

It is important to understand that one of the major purposes of the Old Testament is to give us patterns, or types, so that we can firmly remember them, and have a better picture of the antitype. We have seen that Adam is a pattern or type of Christ, but God is about to reveal His mind to us concerning His eternal purposes for mankind. We can now look back and wonder at the perfection of the scriptures, the perfect dovetailing, the accuracy, all of which demonstrate the wisdom of God.

God is about to reveal this mystery of Christ and the church, in patterns which illustrate one of the most glorious truths of God. As we go through this portion of the word we will line them up with the New Testament truths. "And the Lord God said, it is not good that man should be alone; I will make a help meet for him", Gen.2:18. Let us note the context. "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air;" Gen.2:19. Male and female made He them. We previously noted the loneliness of Adam, and now God acts on his behalf.

And the man said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man", Gen.2:21-23. We will come to this later.

In the few verses of chapter 2 from 18 to 23 we find some of the most profound truths pictured in the whole of the scriptures. They are truths concerning man, the church, and their final estate. We will now outline the major points:

1. It is not good that man should be alone

2. I will make a help fit for him

3. A deep sleep falls on the man

4. A rib taken from the man

5. From the rib a woman is made

6. Bone of my bones

7. She shall be called woman.

Here we begin to see the mind of God revealed. It is not good that man should be alone. This statement should bring thoughts flooding into the mind, thoughts not so much as concerning the man, but of the Lord Jesus Christ. We remember this man is a type of Christ. From the natural point of view we can easily understand being alone, and we would not like to be in that position. Can it be that the man Christ Jesus did not want to be alone? He became a man, and at that a perfect man. In all of God's creation there is none like Him, holy harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. One can now see the likeness; Adam was alone, and so also was the Christ. Thank God this is not to be the end.

To have some understanding of the type and the antitype we must more closely look at the type. In doing so we must be impressed with the statement, " I will make him a help meet for him", Gen.2:18 "I will make him a help mate his like" (or counterpart). God considered man in the garden, and in His infinite wisdom He made another being almost the same as the original, the compliment or correlative of the man. All the living creatures that God had made had part and counterpart, but not the man. Then God made woman. We can now conclude that the antitype, Christ, and the type, man, must have similarities. Is this so? It certainly is because the counterpart is made in the image of the original.

"Therefore if any man be in christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new", 2 Cor.5:17. "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His son, that He might be the first born among many brethren", Rom.8:29. We read "But we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is", 1 Jno.3:2.

We know that He has purchased us with His own blood, and we know that we shall be like Him. He has made us fit, and a member of His body for eternity. God made a type of Eve for the Lord.

Christ who, in obtaining His help fit for Him, went voluntarily into the deep sleep of death, the death that was due to us. It was the sleep of death and separation from the Father. He knew full well the agony of it, and entered into it willingly, knowing the outcome. Concerning the Lord we read, "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied", Isa.53:11. Thus He would purchase His bride, a help fit for Himself.

How much greater is the antitype than the type. We see the Lord's surpassing excellence and glory, and Adam the finite could never fully resemble the infinite antitype. Adam did not voluntarily go into a deep sleep, that God did to Him. Adam did not suffer the pains of hell, and he did not know what the result would be.

The rib taken was next to the man's heart, and the help fit for him takes the place, in a sense, of the missing rib. How fitting, Eve would become all that his heart would desire, the perfect mate.

The Lord gave His heart to the crude spear, and concerning the church He loved her and gave Himself for her. He could look forward to that which He was to prepare for Himself, His bride.

Adam could say "this is now bone of my bones", which means he could identify her as being like himself. For the onlooker identification of Adam and Eve was simple: they were both human beings. The work of God was wonderful for Adam, he had a mate with whom he could share everything, he was no longer alone, they were one flesh. We have no doubt that his joy was full.

We read "For we are members of His body. of His flesh, and of His bones", Eph.5:30. "There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling", Eph.4:4. "and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all", Eph.1:22-23. "...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it", Eph.5:25.

In reviewing those great verses we have to be reminded that nothing of the first creation is suitable for God. Everything has been corrupted by sin, and will be destroyed. Therefore we read that if we are in Christ we are a new creation. Created by the will of God through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, and created like the man Christ Jesus. Nothing, but nothing of the flesh remains, all that will have gone from the presence of God in the eternal state. All is new, and we are accepted in the Beloved, we are joined to Him eternally. Now we await the end of this age, we wait for the rapture or resurrection, and we take on our eternal form and will be with Him, like Him, and part of Him. One body throughout eternity.

The scene opened in the garden with Adam, under the Father, lord of all he surveyed, and we notice that God "brought her unto the man". In this we see creatorial order, man first then woman. We might ask was this by accident? Most emphatically not! God is perfect in all that He does, and in this act the type is continued. The man is a picture of the Christ, and the woman a picture of the church. She accepted the man as lord.

Unfortunately, believers today have a very defective idea of what lordship is. It is usually considered to be authoritarian control completely at the whim of the person assuming the position of lord.

When we consider the action of the Lord Jesus Christ, who we must admit has absolute right to total control, it is nothing like the definition above. We should also see that, as we are the purchased possession, He is entitled act without ever consulting us. We find in our christian life, however, that the Lord has never acted like that with us.

We can not ever act, particularly with our Eve (wife), in the perfect way that the Lord does with His church. To do so we must be familiar with the way He treats us. Now it is not the purpose of these notes to go into this very interesting subject except to say that the Lord's primary principle in exercising control is by:

1. Winning the heart of the subject one through infinite love

2. Gaining obedience from that heart captivated by love

3. Disobedience does not receive immediate summary chastisement but the conscience is pricked in order to regain the love relationship

4. Continued disobedience is rewarded by chastisement with a view to the restoration of the love relationship

5. Total disobedience results in the cancellation of the servants service by removal from the scene of sin.

In the final analysis Jesus Christ is the Lord [ (despotes) one who possess supreme authority], but He never uses force on His subjects.

The history of the man and woman are clear. First man was created, and then the woman, and before sin came in they lived in perfect harmony. The man loved the woman and the woman was a perfect counterpart. The scriptural phrase to highlight this relationship was that "therefore shall man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh", Gen. 2:24. As we have continually noted so far, the history before sin is a picture of Christ and the church.

Just think for one moment of the momentous truth herein contained. It should overwhelm the mind, but then it can only do that if one is familiar with the doctrine of the church. Again it is not the purpose of these brief notes to describe in detail such an important truth, therefore we shall look at the church and her final position in the heavenlies.

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The church which is His body consists of every single person who has ever been saved from Pentecost to the rapture of the church. They are saved by grace through faith in the person, and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. We read "husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be without blemish.", Eph.5:25-27.

Why is it a glorious church? One thing is certain, however, the church herself has nothing of itself in which it can glory. She has nothing that has not been given to her by the Lord Himself. The glory is in what she demonstrates. She demonstrates the character of God, she displays His glory. Here, and here only is that which shows forth all His character, His holiness, righteousness, justice, grace, mercy, love to its full extent. How does the church do this? By being joined to Christ.

Let us be absolutely clear about one thing the church is eternally joined to her Lord, about which we read, "and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all", Eph. 1:22-23. In the paragraph above we noted that she had no glory of her own, but here we have the full picture. It is really the Lord Jesus Christ that is glorifying God. How does He do that? By displaying His handiwork, the church as His body, and He the Head! In a sense the church is declaring to all creation; look what God, through the Lord Jesus Christ has done! Behold His glory! Sing with us, "Thou art worthy, O Lord. to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created", Rev.4:11.

Do you see, fellow believer? The church is merely an object, made virtually out of nothing, raised up and joined to Him. Her glory is that He receives the glory, for He is worthy. She has reflected glory as does the moon from the sun. None is her own.

The man will never be able to ever perfectly represent the Lord. Every man is far short of that mark. It seems that the woman can more ably represent the church than the man does the Lord, and even more so when she understands the doctrine of the church. You see the position of strength is in dependence on the Lord because He faithful to aid those who trust Him. A call for help from one in weakness immediately brings His assistance, and strength. The man, on the other hand, in the position of responsibility is prone to take his extremely difficult position in his own strength with failure resulting.

Even though our subject is the woman in scripture, we will now note the effects of the fall for both man and woman. We will note particularly God's decrees or curses.

First to receive censure was Satan whose final defeat is prophesied. Then followed the woman and lastly the man.

It is indeed sad now to see what God has determined for the woman:

1. I will increase thy travail in pregnancy

2. With pain thou shalt bear children

3. She will willingly submit to the man as lord

4. She will desire the man to be her head.

Let us take particular note of 4 above. The decree is that the woman is now made so that she will want and expect the man to be the head. The first three curses are obvious.

This is not the case in non-christian societies where the position of the woman is radically different. In some places the wife or wives of one man live with the pigs. In other societies wives are treated as slaves and chattels. Unfortunately in our western society, where christianity has had a great influence, very few seem to be concerned about the rapid decline which will bring us back to the terrible state noted in the paragraph above. Women are running counter to God's decree by battling to be head over the man. The curse is real, and as our society degenerates, women's position will change for the worse in two possible ways.

First, the woman will lose her status which the christian influence has given her as seen in the paragraphs above, look at domestic violence.

Second, as she perverts God's decree, and endeavours to exercise authority over the man society suffers, note increased juvenile crime.

Adam does not escape and the Lord deals with Him:

1. The ground is cursed

2. Man would eat of the produce of the ground

3. It would produce thorns and thistles

4. In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread

5. Physical death the inevitable for man.

As with the woman so with the man; the decree can not be broken without the retribution of God. This curse means, "..that if any would not work, neither should he eat", 2 Thes.3:10. God's decrees can not be broken without result. In the case of our society we see men paid not to work. The result, economic downturn which is tied to general morality. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap", Gal.6:7. This is an absolute law of God.

The wages of sin is death, but we have to keep in mind that there are two deaths. The first is spiritual death, displayed when Adam and Eve hid from God in the Garden, and the second death which is separation from every good and perfect gift of God, and an eternity in the lake of fire. It is true to say God has placed man in the position of responsibility and he has failed in every respect. All mankind is described by God as being dead in trespasses and sin with the biggest looser being the woman.

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The curse on both man and woman remain in force and both have sinned and come short of the glory of God. As we look at the world today we can see the result of sin, and agree with God, "the way of the transgressor is hard", Prov.13:15. Therefore nothing has changed; the nature of woman since the fall has not changed nor her treatment at the hand of the man. History may have shown that women suffer most when nations forget God, and profit most when christianity has a greater influence.

The first real doctrine with respect to women in the assembly occurs in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. Let us study this verse by verse where helpful, and at the same time let us stir up our pure minds by way of remembrance by looking at woman as a type of the church.

We have noticed four levels of protocol in the Old Testament types and we will discover that this is carried through into the New Testament church. The order is:

1. God as Creator

2. The Son the Lord Jesus Christ

3. Man created first and preeminent in the garden

4. Woman the compliment of man, and created after man.

We first meet God (Elohim) as the creator, "In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth." Let us note that Elohim translated as God is plural. In the Hebrew plural means more than two thus clearly indicating that the triune God was the creator.

We saw that God communed with man in the cool of the day and as such takes on a Father figure. Adam then is seen to represent The Lord Jesus Christ, and Eve represents the church. To continue the creatorial protocol Man is before woman.

The first order concerns the church in this New Testament age. The order of things portrayed there is God, Christ, man, and woman. In the eternal state the order is God, Christ joined to His church, and other created beings in their own order. There is no variation in these orders, but again just because we see men pervert God's order it does not mean that His order no longer exists. Nothing could be further from the truth as His order is eternal. It is the purpose of these notes to make this as clear as possible, and to particularly note the important role of women.

As we go through each verse we see that the apostle uses the history of Genesis as the basis for the truths he is about place before them. Again let us be warned that the apostle does not confuse the order in the church with the order in the eternal state. Neither should we.

But I would have you know , (oida) to have knowledge of, or full knowledge of

that the head (kephale) literal head, metaphorically of authority, and order

of every man is Christ ; (aner) man, male

and the head kephale) as above

woman is the (gune) woman, female

man; (aner) man male (as above)

First we noted what appeared to be a peculiar order as the description commences with Christ. The verse means: "Christ is the head of every man, but woman's head is the man, and Christ's Head is God. One might have thought that the order would have commenced from the God or Woman. This not being so we must seek an answer. First let us remember that the letter is written to "the church of God which is at Corinth". The given order sets out the protocol in the local assembly: Christ is the Head, then in order comes man, and then woman, but over all is God. This is perfect order even though the King James translation slightly obscures it.

The student will note that, "God is not the author of confusion (disorder), but of peace as in all churches of the saints", 1Cor.14:33. So one notices that there is perfect order both in God's creation, and in The churches of God. We may say, everything has a place and everything in its place. It is man that brings disorder into the sphere of the Spirit in the assembly.

Please note very well: it is God's order in the local church, not man's. In addition, it has nothing to do with the new creation "where there is neither Jew not Greek, there is neither bond or free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ" Gal 3:28.

This has to do with our statue in the family, definitely nothing to do with the testimony on earth in the assembly. Please do not try and teach that there is neither male nor female in marriage on earth, and do not teach that there is marriage in heaven. If man is subject to Christ then woman is subject to man. By subject we mean being a true pattern of the believer relationship to Christ. It does not mean being dominated by the husband. More on this later.

Every man praying of prophesying (propheteuo) too tell forth the mind of God or to foretell

having his head covered kata: this literally means to have anything on his head

dishonours his head (kataischuno) to thoroughly put to shame.

prophesyeth with her head uncovered (akatakaluptos) not covered or unveiled

dishonoureth (kataischuno) to thoroughly put to shame

as if she were shaven. (xurao) shave ie. to cut the hair off at skin level with a razor,

The very first thing to accept is that this is the word of God, and it has absolute authority, "the grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of God endureth forever", 1.Pet.1:24. It not for us to fight with God nor, indeed, to argue our way around His word.

It is the word of God that says a man should not have anything on his head when praying or prophesying, and it just as categorically states that a woman praying or prophesying should have her head covered. Now for those who would wrest the scriptures and falsely argue that this is some special dispensation to those at Corinth let us look at the introduction to the letter. "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all that in EVERY PLACE call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, BOTH THEIRS and ours", 1 Cor.1:2.

The student of scripture would have noticed that this book is a book of correction, from chapter 1 to the very end. It is unfortunate but some who would rebel against God's word take this verse to grant women a license to speak and teach in the assembly. It does no such thing.

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There are two passages which forever close that subject; 1 Cor.14:34, and 1 Tim.2:12. Just because a woman is to be silent in the church the unlearned take that to mean that she is inferior, either is status or knowledge. It does no such thing!

In this passage the apostle, by and in the power of the Holy spirit, begins to correct another disorder in the church.

Let your women keep silence (sigao) to keep silent

in the church for it is not permitted (epitrepo) permit, let, allow

unto them to speak (laleo) to speak

but to be under obedience (hupotasso) a military term, to rank under, subjection to

There could not possibly be a more clear and direct command in all the scripture. In assembly the woman is to be silent. Silence means no talking, and speak means just exactly that. The apostle reminds his readers of the order in creation, and he expects that to be sufficient. So it is to those who love the Lord. For those who love themselves, none of God's word will bind them. Verse 35 reinforces the command above and states, if she wishes to learn anything let her ask her husband at home.

It is shameful for a woman to speak in assembly. Let us note that today women seem to have no feeling of shame, and some may be described as being brazen. In the world this may be counted as a virtue, but not in God's sight. It would appear that there is no prohibition of women singing praises in unison with the men.

1 Timothy 2:8-12

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Usurping authority is the prohibition for the woman.

It must be clearly understood that no scripture stands alone, and so we need to study 1 Tim.2:12, as well. This passage in Timothy is interesting in that verse 8 says "I strongly desire that the man pray in every place", the women on the other hand were to be modest both in dress and in decorum. Even the heathen did not expect nor allow women to rule over men. Women publicly speaking and praying in church is contrary to the will of God. Now note verse 11. Let your women keep silence in all subjection. Now in every aspect of life the christian woman is to picture the relationship of the church to Christ. That is one of subjection and fervent love which should equate the relationship between the believer and Christ . We will study this later.

In verse 12 we get a repetition of the command, "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence".

Verse 13 takes us back to Genesis and notes creatorial order; Adam first and then the woman as we have already seen.

Now verse 14, and we see another aspect of the Genesis story; "Adam was not deceived, but the woman being (thoroughly) deceived was in the transgression", thus resulting in the silent role in the church today. For those who rebel against God and His word we can only warn in meekness. Chastisement is not to be taken lightly.

We will notice a most unusual argument by the Holy spirit concerning women's hair. One may wonder why mention it at all, however it is important as the Spirit of God continues to mention it up to verse 15 and we will treat it as such. Now in verse 4 and 5 the Holy Spirit turns from the metaphorical head and order, to the literal head. First it is a flat statement that if a man prays or prophesies with his literal head covered he SHAMES UTTERLY his metaphorical head who is stated to be the Christ.

Second if the woman does not cover her literal head she SHAMES UTTERLY her metaphorical head, the man. Third the word categorically states that it is an UTTER SHAME if a woman shaves her head. Now it does not matter what man, woman, or demons think. God has spoken!

The directive with respect to the woman and head covering is further addressed in the next verse. We should note the style of the apostle, as led by the Holy Spirit, to present this very important truth.

for (gar) therefore

if a woman be not covered (katakalupto) kata is intensive, kalupto to cover, hence to cover properly

let her also be shorn (keiro) to cut off, as in shearing sheep, cut very close to the skin.

but if it be a shame (aischron) base, shameful, as opposed to modesty

for a woman to be shorn (keiro) as above

or shaven (xurao) shave, ie. to cut the hair off at skin level with a razor

let her be covered (katakalupto) as above.

This verse is another in which much confusion exists as to its meaning, and in many cases it is simply wrested out of context. Even worse still, it has been willfully ignored.

The style the Holy Spirit uses is interesting as the first sentence says, "therefore if a woman does not cover her head, let her hair also be cut off". This is a simple directive to the woman, cover your head when in assembly, as verse 6 clearly indicates. The alternative to covering the woman's head is not remotely contemplated as the clear statement has already been made that it is a shame for a woman to cut off her hair . How do we know this is so? Easily as this is followed by, "but if it be shameful to a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, let her be covered". The statement is made knowing full well that it is a shame to cut off the hair of the woman. Therefore making the woman's head bare, having no hair at all, is not an expected alternative as it is a shame! This statement can not be understood unless it is considered together with verse 7 and 15.

Before we go any further let us note the two words (xurao) and (keiro) meaning shave and shear respectively.

1. The base for the Greek word "shave" is razor; the implement used

2. Nothing is specified in shear. It may have been a knife, scissors, or any other implement

3. The effect is exactly the same, all the hair is cut off.

There are those who wrongly think that shear means, to snip, to hack, or cut in any way. This is not so in the scripture. The word shear shorn, and shearer only has two applications.

References,

1. Gen.31:19; 38:13; Deut.15:19; 1 Sam.25:2-4; Song 4:2; Gen.38:12 1Sam.25:7-11; Isa.53:7; Acts 8:32;

2. Acts 18:18;

In every verse in 1 above the words shear, shorn, or shearer has to do with sheep. In Acts 18:18 we have a different matter which had to do with a Nazerite vow, mentioned in Numbers 6:18, where the hair was shaved off giving shaven and shorn the same meaning.

We then conclude that the effect of shearing and shaving in this scripture means to completely remove all hair from the head. Let us look at the sheep being shorn. The shearer did not leave any wool on the sheep otherwise it would not be shearing. The purpose was to remove all the wool for its use. Please fellow believer, do not widen the meaning of the word of God, nor alternatively narrow it.

At the end of all this reasoning by the Spirit of God, the command is EMPHATICALLY, woman completely COVER your HEAD in assembly!

In this verse there are no new words to explain, and it is a plain repetition of the command to both the man and the woman. What we have is a restatement of verse 3 as it effects both parties. In addition to the command, God made another categorical statement, "for a man....as he is the image and glory of God", and again, "the woman is the glory of the man". Now we do not need really to know why this is so, as God's word should be sufficient for the obedient believer.

In Genesis 1:26, God says, "Let us make mankind in our image", and of course that He did. The man (male) was first formed out of the dust of the earth, and Eve was made from Adam's rib. We can conclude from this that man is made in the image and glory of God, so also is the woman, but she is made after Adam. What God does will always be to His glory, and we will see more of this later as we study woman in the scripture.

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We have just read the statement of God that man is the glory of God and the woman is the glory of man. Now another reason is given, and that obviously for the hard of heart and disobedient, and that is creatorial order. The man is first in creation then the woman, that is history.

In verse 9 we have Genesis reiterated. Man was not created for the woman, that is certain. Man was made for communion with God, then God in love and compassion created the woman for the man, and both communed with God. In all this, is she inferior? Perish the thought! What we are considering here is God's divine order of things. Is woman then just an after thought? Emphatically not! She is an essential part in God's glorious plan.

For this cause ought (dia touto) on account of this, for this reason

the woman have power on the head power (exousia) a token of the authority under which she stands

We have noted a switching from the metaphorical head in verse 3 to the literal head in verses 4 and 5 of this chapter. We previously noted two spheres of order. The first, now in the assembly, and the second in the hereafter of eternity.

The argument is that, because of all the foregoing, it is fitting that a woman have a sign on her head of the authority under which she stands. Let us note the significance of both spheres of activity.

First and foremost the head of the woman represents the man, and any spiritual christian knows that the assembly is no place for the display of the flesh, no place for the first creation which was totally corrupted by sin. The display of man in the assembly on any ground is plain disobedience to scripture. Cover the glory of man by the woman wearing a covering. What is displayed in the assembly meeting? First the man uncovered represents the Christ, and the woman covered signifies that man's glory has been put out of view, and she is subject to man.

When we come to Ephesians we will see that the woman also represents the church in subjection to Christ which glorifies God above all else. "On account of the angels," is a statement of the utmost importance, and more of this will be seen in Ephesians. Sufficient to say that two very important facts are witnessed to in the local assembly:

1. Christ is the head of the church

2. The church is subject to Christ and glorifies God.

Therefore what the unseen created beings see is godly order in the church which glorifies God above all else. Anything that mars the divinely constituted order of things in the assembly robs God of His glory. We do not think that any christian would willfully do that.

There are two references to this fact:

1. 1 Cor.4:9, where Paul says "for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."

2. Eph.3, "to the intent that NOW (the present era) unto the principalities and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."

It is impossible to describe the great importance of the work of God which is visibly demonstrated to the unseen hosts of heaven the many and varied aspects of the wisdom of God. Let us say again, as the heavenly hosts survey God's order in the church they see all the character of God on display. We may also say there is nothing in this whole creation which glorifies God more than, "Christ the head of the church which is His body the fullness of Him that filleth all in all". Now can you imagine how insulting it is to God to see man corrupting the visible demonstration of His Glory. What arrogance! what insolence! what blasphemy! when man would insult God in the local church by disobedience to His commandments.

We must direct the readers attention to 1 Cor.12:27, "Ye are body of Christ and members in particular". This clearly means that the local church should REPRESENT and be characteristic of the body of Christ, even though individual members may differ. The meaning is emphatic as the Greek definite article is omitted before "body" thus giving the meaning described above.

These two words convey two entirely different thoughts. Rank can mean degrees of superiority and/or importance. So the higher the rank, the greater the importance or delegation of authority. Order, as it pertains to Godly order in an assembly, simply means conforming to the sequence and arrangement of God. Woman is not inferior to man in rank but is subject to God's order as also is the man. The opposite of order, in this sense, is disorder or confusion with every man doing that which was right in his own eyes.

Verse 11 and 12 make it plain that one is dependant on the other, and in no way is one independent from another.

1. Woman is made from the man: Creation.

2. Man is of the woman: Generation. Above all, however, is the creator God.

In verses 13 and 14 the apostle takes his readers to the lessons of nature. Every normal human being is aware that in God's creation there is a difference between male and female. They are not the same. That seems too obvious to mention, but in this day and age of perversion there is confusion. Women are trying to be men, and men trying to be women, and little more need be said.

Let us carefully note that, by the inspiration of God as empowered by the Holy Spirit, the apostle says: "Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" Yes it does! Long hair in a man signifies rebellion against order and against God. The perverted world would have you think otherwise. Unless the conscience is seared with a hot iron the man knows long hair is a shame. On the other hand, "but if a woman have long hair it is a glory to her, for her hair is given her for a covering." Let us look at the two words here which are distorted out of all context both by legalists, and by the willfully disobedient.

Her long hair is a glory to her. How on earth "her" can be mistranslated to "God's" is a mystery as well as being wrong. The context is the difference between man and woman with particular emphasis on hair. Whereas the long hair shames a man it beautifies the woman. It means nothing more than that. Is it no wonder then that the woman's head has to be covered. What utter nonsense to suggest it is God's glory, and then be asked to cover God's glory in assembly. We will study woman's real glory when we come to the book of Ephesians. Meanwhile let us look at the difference between both. Let us be warned that God will not tolerate a man to dress or look like a woman, nor a woman like a man. Therefore the long hair of the woman should strikingly distinguish her from a man with short hair. The verse means that and nothing more or less than that.

Again we have a simple verse and yet so much error is taught from it. We may point out that all error slanders God. We will deal with the error first. The error is that if the woman has long hair she does not need a hat. What we can say is that the old (unsaved) man will not be subject to God under any circumstances. The word cover, uncovered, covering occurs 6 times from verse 1 to verse 15:

1. 1 Cor.11:4 is a phrase meaning "having (anything) on his head

2. verse 5 (akatakaluptos) unveiled, uncovered

3. verse 6 (katakaluptos) cover properly

4. verse 7 (katakaluptos) middle voice to cover his head

5. verse 15 (peribolaion) something thrown around

We see from the above that every word is related except the covering in verse 15 which is peribolaion and has been translated, "covering" here, and "vesture" in Heb.1;2. It is the word for wrap or mantle, and why some of the translators used veil is not known for sure. In any case it is a distinctive word which is related to clothing.

The argument that the hair was in lieu of a "covering for the hair" is completely false. Let us look at verse 6 which would read as follows: "if a woman be not covered, let her covering be cut off". Even worse still; "if a woman have no hair let her hair be cut off".

The woman's hair is given her for a wrap or mantle which was her personal glory. It is positively wrong to use the Greek word peribolaion to mean the "covering for the hair".

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The book of Ephesians takes us up into the heavenly places with Christ, and blessed with all spiritual blessings. Right up into the presence of the throne of God, and there at His own right hand we see Christ raised in glory. There high above the highest is the Lord Jesus Christ, and wonder of wonders we see, with Him, the church which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.

God has lifted Him up, why? Because The Lord Jesus Christ could say "I have glorified thee on the earth", and now His Father, God over all blessed for ever, has glorified Him. When we look closer we see the Lord Jesus Christ will continue to glorify God forever by the union of Himself and the church. There is displayed, through all eternity, the infinite majesty and glory of God in that gracious union. This is that which the Father has willed should be displayed by the church in local testimony on earth. There is nothing more dear to the Father's heart than the Son, and there are we, the church, joined to Him eternally and members of His body.

In a sense the whole of creation glorifies God, but nothing more than the church. She is that which is joined to Christ the One who has been lifted up "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." It is His glory! She contributes to that glory only in as much as she visibly shows forth His great handiwork.

It is not possible for human understanding to know just how much the Father loves the Son except to know that it is above everything else. Nor is it possible to understand just how much the Lord Jesus Christ loves the church. It is because of our limitation in understanding either infinity or eternity that God in His grace paints pictures for us to gain some minute understanding of the believer's future estate. One of the most graphic of these pictures is in Eph.5.22:23. It is an amazing thing that this picture is used to give a practical exhortation.

Wives submit (hupotasso) submit, be subject

The understanding of the words in this verse is simple, but its overall meaning is another thing altogether. On the surface it appears that the husband has absolute dictatorial control of the wife. Unfortunately this is taken to be so by some.

There is no doubt the wife IS TO BE submissive not as a response to the husband, but AS UNTO the Lord. You see the husband has to earn the love and respect of the wife. Notice the little phrase, "as unto the Lord". Two things come out of that statement:

1. Nowhere does the scriptures command the wife to love the husband

2. No one really will respect authority unless it is earned.

It is almost unbelievable that a woman is not commanded to love her husband. One may ask, surely there must be some reason for this? There is; in Genesis 3 the curse of God on the woman was "thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee".

It is of vital importance that this be understood. It means that the woman is made so that she willingly accepts the husband as head. Furthermore it also means that this is the only way in which a woman finds true happiness. She will only find true happiness where she can respond to the love of a husband as a help suitable to him. We will see more of this later.

The Lord Jesus Christ's love for us is that which drew us to Him. Further, as we came to know Him more and more, we are drawn even more to Him as we see more of His love. His love knows no bounds. It is infinite, and is perfect.

"for (the) husband (aner) man, male when not mankind, with no definite article here it means males in general

is the head of the wife (gune) woman

The exact translation of this verse is, "for the man is the head of the woman". By this time the reader is familiar with all the factors which God uses in His Holy word to show us His mind. Here we have a repetition of the headship of man because we are being introduced into a "great mystery", the mystery of Christ and the church. it would appear that the last phrase shows the Lord Jesus Christ as the Sustainer and Preserver of the church which is His body.

We have repeatedly seen that the man and the woman in the church, particularly the husband and the wife, are a type of Christ and the church . We will notice the comparison of the type and the antitype. Also we are given the practical application of the husband's position of responsibility which is going to bring with it its attendant chastisement for failure, and the wife's position of subjection and its attendant power.

"Therefore as (alla) but even as

the church (ekklesia) called out, assembly or church; has been used to describe a group of people gathered to discuss affairs of state

is subject (hupotasso) submit, be subject to

to the husband in every thing (pas) everything

As mentioned above we have had pictures from Genesis in creatorial order, order in the original sin, and the curse showing the Divine order of God, Christ, man, and woman. We now come to the most powerful reason for the displayed order of man before woman. It pictures Christ and the church. In the next few verses we will begin to see just the slightest glimmer of eternity. Remember eternity is eternal and infinite, we are both temporal (tied to time) and finite (tied to space), therefore it is utterly impossible to have a full understanding of the infinite antitype.

We have already seen the woman is to submit in verse 22, and then to be subject in verse 24, to the man as she pictures the relationship of the church to Christ. That is the issue. One may wonder why commence this passage with the woman, then the man, and finally Christ. The reason, no doubt, is that we go from earth to heaven, from time to eternity, from the picture to the real. Everything that is visible is temporal, and that which is invisible is eternal. "Even as the church is subject unto Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands" sets the pattern. The wife should act towards her husband as does the church to Christ. Let us note the word "own" not from the point of present morality, that should be clearly understood, but from the aspect of the church being the Lord Jesus Christ's betrothed. We will look at this later in the notes.

He and He alone should have the love and affection of His church, He is looking forward to the day when His church is presented to Himself for eternity. No distance intervening, no lack of understanding on the church's part, and not a cloud between.

It is important to be aware that verses 24 and 25 are complimentary, and must be taken together, for in them we have a veritable mine of wonderful information. Nowhere else in the whole scripture do you see the required relationship of husband and wife better described. Not only that but also we begin to get another marvelous view of the Lord's attitude to the church. The passage is intense in its feeling and pungently practical.

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Now we come to the responsibility of the husband, a responsibility, we might add, that he is not able to fulfill. Husband, how do you measure up to this mark? Are you prepared to give your life for your wife, particularly if you do not greatly like her? Of course this question leads to the definition of love in verse 25. The word is (agape) and is special, and it is not what young people would expect with respect to marriage. Let us see;

"Love can only be known from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His Son."

Obviously this is not the love of complacency or affection; that is, it is not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom.5:8. It is an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, Deut.7:7-8"

"Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those from whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom.15:2, and works no ill to any". "Hogg & Vine, Notes on Thes."

Positively note it is not "affection", it "is not an impulse from the feelings" it is, in fact, a determination to do good to an object which may have no value or worth whatsoever. Husband, how does that sound? Irrespective of the wife's actions the command is to love your wife in the way described above. Not anywhere in this passage is the word (phileo) which represents tender affection used. Are we intimating that there is no tender affection between husband and wife? No we are not! What the scripture very clearly indicates is that agape love is the primary consideration and if that is not in place then there is no real relationship. Where does that put divorce? Right outside the bounds of spiritual christian experience, but a possibility if both partners are carnally minded. Walking in the Spirit ensures a loving and lasting relationship between husband and wife is ensured.

The husband and wife relationship begins from the place of responsibility. It commences with the husband. He has been charged with the command to (agape) love his wife, and when we look at the description of it above, the husband, by a determined act of the will, decides to do good to his wife irrespective of her attractiveness. By that we are not advocating that any man may marry any woman. It is very obvious that just as God provided Adam with a perfectly suitable partner, so He will for you fellow believer. God's choice will be made abundantly clear to you, and you must be sure that affection, attraction, or any emotion does not cloud God's message to you. For the, wife she also must be clear that the man is God's choice for her. That test is very simple. Is this the person who you would submit to and be subject to? Those older among us can remember the old wives saying: "would you darn his dirty socks?" This is only another way of saying, "would you submit and be subject to."

Husband you are responsible for the marriage being carried on in the will of the Lord. It is you who has to love your wife even as Christ loved the church. It is you the Lord will hold responsible for any marriage breakdown, not your wife; be quite clear about that. One may say, I can not be held responsible for a disobedient wife. Yes you can and yes you will! You have been given the responsibility of portraying the Lord in His relationship with the church. It is to you that is directed, "husbands love your wives, and be not bitter against them", Col.3:19. You may ask, am I to put up with her when she is most aggravating, and nagging? No, you are not to put up with her, you are to love her by determining to do only good to her, and then be not bitter against her.

Husbands, how do we measure up to this? We can probably say, not to good. Therefore we need that close association with the Lord so that we may be like Him, and that attitude then draws the wife closer to husband. There is no other way. The wife's actions are governed by the husbands attitude. How do we know this? Because God has made her so, "thy desire shall be unto thy husband". The load is on our shoulders, do not blame our wives, put it where it belongs on us.

The wife is the compliment of the husband, and on the surface of it she seems to have the hardest job. She may say, have I got to submit to this man and do what he says?

Yes you do! If we left it there we would have a class of unpaid slaves, and this is not what the scripture intends. You see we have a secret, the woman has an unlimited source of power. Suppose the husband is unloving and dictatorial, which we may add, is diametrically opposed to the will and nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. What are you to do? Take it to the Lord in prayer! His ear is ever open to the weak and helpless, go to Him and place it in His hands. Watch the Lord answer prayer! Watch Him change your husband! Note that more trouble occurs when we act in the flesh, and try to change the circumstances ourselves. Ask yourself, sister, how is it that the Lord attracts us to Himself? We are attracted to Him because He first loved us. Has He ever ill treated us? Has he ever left us to our own devices? No never, He has loved us with an everlasting love. He can give your husband His own nature as He does to you, and there you have a perfect union. The brother has the same recourse to the Lord with a disobedient wife.

"Even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it". We must consider His love. "But God commendeth His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom.5:8. What a statement, "while we were yet sinners". For the sinners without the Son, " the wrath of God abides on Him. "The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth", Psa.11:5. And such were we.

The Lord Jesus Christ lived in a world which hated Him without a cause, and yet He went to the cross. The Father gave His son, and the Son gave His life for that which He hated. That is the first step, a step of impersonal love which was a determined act of His will to do infinite good to those who were infinitely bad.

Now that act has a consequence for those who see this determined act and respond in deep gratitude. They say, "He loved me and gave Himself for me", and it is at that point only, and to those who believe the act was for them, that (phileo) love, the love of affection comes in. "For the Father Himself loveth (phileo) you, because ye have loved (phileo) Me." John 16:27. God's love of affection is only directed towards those who love Him, the believers. Now God's (agape) love, and His (phileo) love is infinite whereas the husband's can never be. However it set the pattern, and the pattern is that the husband's (agape) love is first which then produces (phileo) love, the love of affection.

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"That He might sanctify (hagiazo) set apart

and cleanse (katharizo) free from impure mixture, cleanse, make spotless purified

with the washing (loutron) bath or laver

of water by the word (rhema) that which is spoken

We will first take note of the fact that the verbs, loved, gave (delivered), sanctified, and cleansed (purified) are all in the aorist tense. This could make each verb consequent one on another. That is to say first He loved, and as a consequence, He gave (delivered) Himself, sanctified (set apart), and finally purified the church. Whether the actions are consequential or not one thing is certain, this was the plan of God before time began, and in time the Lord Jesus Christ put it into operation. The great question is, why did He do it? He did it for Himself, He prepared a bride His help meet for eternity. He took us when we were dead in trespasses and sins, and recreated us suitable for His presence. But that is not all, He made a glorious church.

That He might present (parestemi) to place beside

it to Himself not having spot (spilos) stain, metaphorically moral blemish

or wrinkle (rhutis) flaw

Or any such thing but that it should be holy (hagios) separate from sin and consecrated to God.

and without blemish (amomos) without flaw or blemish

What a wonderful work the Lord Jesus Christ does for us. Not only were we saved by faith, but we are being saved day by day, and we will be saved on that day He comes for His church to meet Him in the air. In the meantime He continually works over us, cleansing us, and preparing us for Himself.

He will certainly present us to Himself on that day absolutely perfect, just as perfect as His perfect work. We will be suitable for Him throughout all eternity.

The closeness of the marriage union in the sight of God is most remarkable. God considers the two as one flesh. We now can realise that this is still a picture, but it is a picture of the actual union of Christ and the church. As with all types the picture can only, at the best, be a poor one. It is, however, simple enough to convey something of the indissoluble union of Christ and the church. From our finite point of view there can not be a closer union than that of man and woman in marriage, but it is only a dim picture of the closeness of the antitype.

We are also introduced to the thought that just as a man who loves his wife will look after her and cherish her as he would himself, so we find the Lord with infinite love cherishes His church. It is not an after thought, but it is central to His thinking. Look at the end of the verse above, "even as the Lord the church". We could ask in wonder, could this indeed be true? Let us listen to the Spirit of God in verse 30.

We are one, yes one with Christ in the most intimate way, members of His body, of His flesh, of His bones. Not only so, but also raised up with Him who head over the church which is His body, far above all principality and power: with Him who has been given a name which is above every name. The purpose being that we, members of the church should display, show forth the glory of God, and the handiwork of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the revealed purpose of God for the church, and we participate in it. Now our function is to display the order and glory of God both in the assembly as well as in our life.

We have seen the woman in scripture in two major aspects:

1. In creation, and

2. In the church

Now it is expected that born again christians, walking in the spirit, will acknowledge that God is over all, the creator, governor, and preserver of the universe. Furthermore they will acknowledge that He is infinite in wisdom. Should anyone not accept these fundamental principles, it most likely they would believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was God manifest in flesh. If this is the case then one could safely conclude that such a one was not saved. The point being made, of course, is that only the unsaved have the audacity to argue with God. The blood bought christian, on the other hand, has every reason to love the commands and purposes of God.

In the case of the woman, she was made for man, and was created after man. We now see that was for a wonderful purpose, and the purpose is to be a mighty visible witness to the glory of God. We say again she is a mighty and powerful witness to the glory of God.

She portrays the church and its relationship to Christ. Every created being sees in her the mighty work of the Father through the Son. Can you imagine how the hosts of heaven shout the praises of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the woman pictures the church joined to, and subject to the risen Christ.

This is particularly so "when the whole church be come together into one place". Behold the order, the man represents the Christ, and the woman the church. She, and she alone, portrays His handiwork, His holiness, mercy, love, and all His glorious character.

This can only be displayed in a New Testament assembly, and in no other way. It is there where the Lord Jesus Christ is absolute Head, of the assembly, and the Holy spirit is allowed sovereign operation. This is the unseen spiritual reality where godly order prevails, and the testimony to these facts are visibly seen in the man representing Christ, and the woman the church. The object is to have all the characteristics of the church, in the heavenlies, which is His body the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.

The Chaste Virgin

The church is the chaste virgin to be presented to Christ on that coming day, and just as the woman is to be "subject to their "own" husbands" it has a twofold application to the church today. First the church is His body, and second we are members thereof.

The church is His body, and the local assembly represents that. How can a group of christians faithfully represent His body if it joins itself to man made body? A body such as, the Christian Brethren, the Church of England, Baptist, Uniting Church, Seventh Day Adventist or any body other than that of Christ. Worse still, as we are members of the body of Christ should we join ourselves to another body, such as the above, then we are spiritual fornicators, 1 Cor.6:15-16. "But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit" 1 Cor.6:17.

Worship is homage to, or adoration shown for God. When gathered together we see the godly obedient woman declaring and portraying our own collective position before the Lord, one of subjection. Why are we in subjection? Because He has brought the church into a marriage relationship with His Son. The Father gave up His Son unto death, the Son offered Himself unto God, and gave His life a ransom for us all. Godly sister, we thank you that as we note your order in the assembly we see the glory of God, and worship.

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12617/JEG3/5/93

In part one of these notes we studied the woman's role or position as designated by our creator God, which we discovered was fixed and to His glory. We also discovered that she was a part of a glorious master plan, which plan was far above the comprehension of natural (unsaved) mankind. Just as we can not find God by searching, neither can the mind of man devise such a plan as that of our salvation.

We mention this because it is the purpose of Satan, the adversary, naturally to oppose the purposes of God. Now Satan's vicious hatred of God is expressed, from the visible point of view, in attempting to destroy all that speaks of, witnesses to, and portrays the glory of God. The expression of hatred is seen by his manipulation of christians, who walk in the flesh, to be disobedient to their loving Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In particular Satan's attack is against the woman.

Please sister, look at and, note very carefully Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman." Do you see that Satan hates you! In that scene, with fallen man and Satan, the immutable statement of God is, "I will put enmity between thee and the woman". Satan was plainly told that the seed of the woman would "crush thy head", and for this reason alone Satan has cause to hate the woman.

Much more could be said on this subject of great interest, but our purpose is to look at woman in scripture. The emphasis, of course, is on our day and age, but we will keep in mind that the woman is the special target of the Adversary.

We have noted in the previous paper that the woman in the assembly represents the church in subjection to Christ. She represents that which is joined to the Lord Jesus Christ who is risen to the highest in the heavens. In that position she glorifies God as the handiwork of her Lord. Again this can not be permitted in the economy of Satan. He is determined to destroy her witness, and it is true to say he is succeeding.

Sister in the previous paper your role is clear. Stand firm to the Word. Obey the Lord who loved you and gave Himself for you and witness to His glory. Why? because He found us when we were dead in trespasses and sins, He has given us eternal life by the sacrifice of Himself. Each one of us can say, "all this thou hast done for me, what have I done for thee". What can we say but that as we love thee, we will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest, and serve Thee faithfully.

To the spiritual mind, as we look at the woman we see the church subject to Christ, but to the world the testimony is more subtle, but extremely powerful. Let us be clear about one thing, in our perverted unsaved and natural mind we conclude that the more noise the more power. In the natural realm that may or may not be so, but in the spiritual realm that is absolutely and positively wrong. All power of God. Over and above everything it is only obedience which can attract the power of God. "Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22. God has no delight in disobedience.

Sister, like every other christian you have a great desire to be used of the Lord, and so you should. What then is the secret. Simply obedience from a heart drawn to Him by love. "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." John 14:21. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. Can anything be clearer? I doubt it. Then we must ask what must I do to please Him.

The first thing to do is to know the mind of God. Now for the young christian woman that may present a challenge. One may ask where do I find out what I have to do? Of course the answer is easy, "If any man will to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine".., John 7:17."If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it", John 14:14.

In order to know anything there first of all has to be a desire to know. Secondly there has to be a dependence on the Lord in prayer. The desire to know and the supplication for that knowledge brings the loving heart of the Lord to your assistance. Where will you be directed? To the Word most certainly, and as one reads the word the Holy Spirit, in response to the prayer of "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law", Psa.119:18, light will be given. Now that light is given by the Spirit in no uncertain terms, and you will have the witness within.

It is the purpose of these notes to direct the attention of the reader to certain passages of scripture with brief notes of description. Most certainly, however, it is the Spirit of God and only the Spirit of God that can enlighten. It is no surprise, therefore, that as one meditates on some scripture that others are brought to mind. Thank our Father for that, it is His work. We will now look at some relevant scriptures that should fortify the christian woman against the attacks of Satan.

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"In like manner also (hosautos)likewise

adorn (kosmeo) put in order, arrange, adorn themselves in

modest (kosmios) orderly, well arranged, well ordered

apparel with (katastole) dress in general

shamefacedness (aidos) a sense of shame, modesty which is rooted in the character

and sobriety (sophron) sound mind which exercises "that self restraint that governs all passions and desires, enabling the believer to conform to the mind of Christ" WEV NT Words

broided hair (plegma) plaited hair

or costly array."

It is astonishing how believers can wrest the Word of God, take it out of context and arrive at all kinds of error. The very first thing we notice in this verse is that there is a similarity mentioned in that the men were to be pious, meaning righteous and christlike, and the women were to have the same character.

Now they were to demonstrate this character by the way they dressed. If one stops and thinks it is a most remarkable statement, because with the dress is coupled the inner character both of which clothe the woman. Now let us notice this translation of the same verse, "In like manner also that the women in decent deportment and dress adorn themselves with modesty and discretion." "What is being described here is the whole deportment, the way in which the woman presents herself, of which dress is a sign." This indicates the most powerful witness for the woman is her dress and deportment whereas the man's dress is not mentioned at all.

It is incredibly striking that the dress and deportment of the woman is followed by the fact that she is to be silent. This, one suggests, is that the power of the woman's testimony and witness is in what she portrays and not in what she says. Let it be noted that, of course, a woman's word may well destroy her witness, but first her deportment is the power, and then her words, should any be needed may add to that. Once again the scripture emphasises that the power in the christian life is in what we are, and not so much in what we say. Without question the woman's dress "advertises what she is". This is an old saying which obviously has scriptural support.

We have noted the similarity required for men and for women which is a christlike manner and character, now we have placed before us dress for a woman which is not christlike. Before we look at that we must be aware that it is not a specific in prohibition in dress but a comparison.

What is meant by that is that this verse is the deportment of a woman witnessing to modesty and discretion as against one who is not modest or has no discretion. For those who say a woman cannot plait her hair, wear gold, pearls, and costly array have totally missed the point. The point at issue is modesty and christlikeness.

Before we go any further it is obvious that the scripture, the word of God, knows the heart. The heart of the natural woman is to display herself immodestly and to draw undue attention to herself. With that in mind, can a woman plait her hair? Of course she can if it not immodest and draws undue attention to herself. The same thing applies to the wearing of gold, pearl, ad costly array. The sum total of this passage is a very special pointed message to the woman to display herself in a modest and christlike manner, no more and no less.

It is an amazing thing that the Holy Spirit here in this verse clearly states that good works is a better adornment than the costly apparel etc. There is a propensity for the woman to adorn herself, but this verse highlights the comparison between ostentatious show with outward adorning, and the beautiful adornment of good works.

We have already noted the rest of this chapter in Part One of these notes. In it we studied the woman's role in the assembly with learning in quietness, not exercising authority over the man, and a definite prohibition against her teaching. The reason was also studied where order in creation was noted. We will now note a very important truth for women, and one we are sure would occupy the attention.

"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in child-bearing", is a wonderful promise with a condition. The promise is that she shall be saved (sozo) preserved from danger and suffering in child-bearing. That, no doubt, is a most wonderful promise.

Now let us look at the condition. She shall be preserved from danger in childbirth provided she perseveres in:

1. Faith (pistis) which means a firm persuasion, a conviction based on hearing the word of God, with a conduct to match.

2. Charity (agape) a determination to do good to all even if there is no perceived value in the object. that is the highest form of love, the love seen in the Father when He gave His Son for us.

3. Holiness (hagiasmos) a separation to God with a conduct which matches it

4. Sobriety (sophrosune) soundness of mind, "it is that habitual inner self government, with its constant rein on all the passions, and desires" Trench.

This promise to the christian woman is to the one who is spiritual and walks in the Spirit. The one who by her deportment and dress radiates forth the character of her Lord.

In this verse God gives us a picture of the deacons (diakonos) servant's wife. She was to be:

1. grave (semnos) a combination of a sense of gravity and dignity

2. not slanderers (diabolos) finding fault with the demeanour and conduct of others, and spreading innuendos

3. sober (nephalios) temperate watchful

4. faithful (pistos) faithful, reliable

This lists similar characteristics as for the woman's required condition in child-bearing. In this case they have added the negative, not a slanderer. It may well be that this is a fault more common in women, whether this is the case or not, it is one of the major characteristics of the Devil.

It is in this verse we see what sort of life the woman must live in order to be supported by the assembly. Please note that the responsibility is on the assembly, not on the government, to provide for the faithful widow over 60 years of age.

Now we will note that God has set a standard for the aged woman to qualify for the care of the assembly.

1. She is to be over 60

2. Her husband has died

3. Well reported of for good works

4. Brought up children

5. Lodged strangers

6. Washed the saints feet

7. Relieved the afflicted

8. Diligently followed every good work.

First the woman has to be a real widow over the age of sixty. She must have a reputation of doing good, and raised a family. The scriptures clearly teach that the family must provide for the widow before she becomes an assembly responsibility. She must have been very hospitable, and have been humble in serving the saints. Also she must have demonstrated a heart which went out to, and helped relieve the afflicted. Finally she has to have followed every good work.

Here, without question, is the woman's ministry. Not anywhere in the list of qualifications do we see teaching of any kind, speaking in public, or taking any overt part in assembly affairs. God has placed the emphases on her place in the home and community. To have had a past history of good works, as it effects the home and community, is twice mentioned and this together with hospitality highlights the christian character of the widow.

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This passage of scripture emphasises by way of repetition some of the marks of a christian woman, but there is very important additional information. There is a special message to the woman with an unsaved husband, and also an example from the old testament. Let us look at it verse by verse

be in subjection (hupotasso) to be under obedience, under control, to be obedient to your own husbands

that if any obey not (apitheo) being unpersuadable, obstinate rejection

the word (logos) the expression of thought

The commencement of this verse is of vital importance and can never be stressed too much. The passage really commences with verse 18 in chapter 2 where we read, "servants be subject to your masters with all fear" and that command tells us to be subject to or obey the very bad bosses as well as the good. This is followed by a statement on suffering patiently, which "is acceptable unto God".

The passage does not stop there. It cites the Lord Jesus Christ as the great example. The Lord was the servant of all, He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners", "who did no sin neither was guile found in His mouth", "when He was reviled He reviled not again"; "BUT HE COMMITTED HIMSELF TO HIM THAT JUDGETH RIGHTEOUSLY".

Notwithstanding all that "they hated Him without a cause", and crucified Him. Wife, this message is for you. With the foregoing in mind the wife is to continue to be subject to her own husband. The word subject is a present participle which has the meaning of continuing to be, or "being subject" to the husband.

The situation of being a wife of an unsaved man can be most trying. Her life may be made almost unbearable, and it is at this point that she can look to the Lord in that, "He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. The word tempted means being tested." Heb.2:18. He is the willing helper and sustainer.

Not only does the wife have The Lord Himself as helper, but also she has great power. We have made much in the notes of the woman's power which is not in her preaching, nor in any way verbal at all. The word of God now shows her how she can apply the power of God through the Holy Spirit. See page 33.

the word (logos) the expression of thought

be won (kerdaino) to gain something, winning souls

by the conversation (anastrophe) manner of life, conduct

If ever there was an apparently hopeless situation, from the natural point of view, it is the position of the wife with an unsaved husband. In this part of the verse, however, the power of the woman's testimony in dress and deportment is brought to the fore.

Note indelibly the words, "without the word"! One may ask, my husband will not listen to the gospel what am I to do? Your dress, deportment and life in general may win him without pressing the merits of the Christ. The changed life and obedience to husband and scripture is very powerful, coupled with prayer of course.

These notes have attempted to show the effective power of the silent woman's testimony. The christian woman will always have the privilege of portraying the church in subjection to Christ, and its union with Him which glorifies God above everything else in all God's creation. The christian woman's testimony is a mute but powerful one which needs no words to convey it, only the dress and deportment.

while they behold (epopteueo) to look upon, witness as a spectator

your chaste (hagnos) pure from every fault, modest

conversation (anastrophe) conduct, manner of life

coupled is in italics, not in the original Greek,

with fear but the sense of the phrase is, "carried or lived out in reverential fear (phobos)"

As we have mentioned above the deportment of the woman is that which speaks loudest, and in her role of the church in subjection to Christ, obedience is another aspect of her witness. We may not understand the applied power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who is obedient to the scriptures, but it is powerful.

"He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me". Now there may be two corollaries which follow from this statement, "He that hath my commandments and does not keep them, he it is that hateth me", and/or "he that hath my commandments and does not keep them, he it is that loveth himself". Both those statements are self evident, the first corollary is that, if you have the master's commandments and you do not keep them it shows a total disregard for that person and their authority. The second, is really the same except the motive is clearly self glory.

How low and despicable it is when the disobedient one makes protestations of love for the master. Nothing could be lower, yet we are all guilty to some extent. Sister, your place in the assembly is in silence. That is clear and unequivocal! If you love the Lord then obey Him. We notice that they, the wives, conducted their lives in reverential fear, fear of offending their Lord, and offending their husbands as seen in verse 6.

This is a similar passage to the one in 1 Timothy 3, and we can rightly conclude that if God has mentioned it twice it is very important. This is not to say that obedience to all scripture is unimportant, but where a thing is mentioned more than once it is only logical and true to assume greater importance has been placed upon this commandment, and it usually effects the glory of God.

So in these two verses we have the subject again of the woman's adornment.

Whose adorning (kosmeo) put in order, arrange, adorn

let it not be the outward (exothen) outward [an adjective]

(adorning) of brackets - not in the original Greek

plaiting the hair (plegma) plaited hair

This has been described in the comments on 1 Timothy 3 where we stated that the plaiting of hair, wearing of gold, and costly array, is not the issue, it is one of deportment. For those who teach that it is wrong to plait the hair, wear gold, and costly array now have a problem. To be consistent they must teach that a woman can not put on apparel. What utter nonsense! What demonic legalism! The whole issue is to do with the outward adorning which should be the outward visible and invisible christian character.

(let it be) in brackets - not in the original

the hidden (kruptos) hidden, secret

man of the heart the new nature

corruptible (aphthartos) not liable to corruption or decay (even the ornament) in brackets - not in the original Greek but added for the sense

of a meek (praus) gentle, mild, but definitely not weak

and quiet spirit (hesuchios) a tranquility from within causing no disturbance to others

great price (poluteles) very expensive, of highest cost

Every woman knows that she has an inbuilt character which urges her to make herself attractive. There is nothing wrong with that. The natural unsaved woman, however, will go to any length, and follow any fashion to achieve that end. The spiritual woman, on the other hand, has a new nature, a christlike nature which desires to be like Him.

She, by the Holy Spirit knows, that she has to be modest. She also knows that the christlike nature she has been given is the most glorious adornment she could ever wish to wear. With this fortifying her, she knows that outward ostentation and show truly hides the wonderful ornament of a meek and quiet character. Let us say this, when a woman (or man) is first saved please do not expect her to know all the scriptures, do not expect her to dress according to her calling. As she grows in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and is being transformed into His image, note the changes. One will see more of the Lord and less of the world as time goes by.

To the older sister, it may seem as if you are helping if you make the mistake of treating the effect rather than the cause. You may quite correctly note that a young or new christian woman still has traces of the world both in her dress and deportment, but if you should ask her to conform to your norms, or the group's, in dress or deportment you are out of order. First, all obedience must of absolute necessity come from a heart drawn by love for the Lord. The inappropriate dress and deportment you see is the effect not the cause. In the young christian woman this may well be caused by a lack of knowledge of the scriptures. What we are saying is that the outward reflects the inward, and the inner man must be fortified by an understanding of the scriptures which alone can make the adjustment in the power of the Holy Spirit. Loving, patient application of the scripture is needed to do this.

It is demonic legalism to ask a new convert to conform to your norms or ideas. It is even worse when peer pressure is brought to bear to produce conformity. Both of these methods are not unusual. There is no doubt that inappropriate dress and deportment may offend us, that is true; but what should our reaction be?

It should be one of (agape) love, a determination to do such a one all the good possible. Is that enforced conformity, (agape) love? It certainly is not! It is for our benefit, it soothes our offended sense of right and wrong, but what has it done for the sister in this case. It has given her a set of legalistic rules to follow, and given her a standard which she knows she must conform to or offend the ones with whom she associates. Note not one ounce of love for the Lord is associated with this kind of action.

Now the defense against this allegation of legalism is this statement, "well we told her the Lord expects it". Now let us be absolutely clear about this or any other correction which may well be needed, that unless the one at fault can clearly see that the Lord Himself requires that action from the scripture, the supposed corrective reaction is a sham. Yes, we have bred a budding legalist, or simply turned them away. Tragically how many times have we seen that in the past.

The answer to deviation from the scriptural standard is the entrance of light. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" Psa.119:105. Now, as the Holy Spirit brings that light, the Lord Jesus Christ is magnified. He is shown to be "the altogether lovely One" whose love is a love unto death. First of all to the Father, in that, "He offered Himself unto God without spot", "He restored that which He took not away", and we have been reconciled unto the Father by the blood of the Son. Further when we see Him bearing our sin in His own body on the tree" we are drawn in love to Him. Our love increases more and more as we just remotely begin to understand the infinite blessings accruing to us when we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ.

That is what binds us to Him, that and nothing but that. Therefore it is the doctrine of demons to attempt to gain a believer's obedience to the Word, by methods other than love for the Lord. That is legalism. If a believer is called upon to obey tradition, or the Word for that matter unless drawn by love for the Lord, the energy required to do so comes from the flesh. The error is recognised by the corrected one saying, "I will do it to please the person who has asked me." That is to say the motive comes from within oneself. In this case "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life", 2.Cor.3:6

This scripture says, the Word without the Spirit of God to apply it, kills. Now the Spirit of God alone can apply and enlighten the hearer, by Him magnifying the Lord, and the believer responding from a heart of love.

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holy women also, who (hagios) consecrated to God, separated to God

trusted in God (elpiso) trust

The example has already been set by the women of the Old Testament times who adorned themselves with this meek and quiet spirit. This verse discloses an interesting fact, and that is that these women were described as those who "trusted in God". Now the Greek construction means literally that they were trusting women, meaning that they had an attitude which has them continually trusting in God. That was their special attribute, just as today the same kind of woman is described as "walking in the Spirit".

Looking at this verse then, three major points emerge:

1. They adorned themselves with a meek and quite spirit.

2. They had, as a characteristic, a continuing trust in God.

3. They were in subjection to their own husbands.

We might add that the Greek construction of the phrase "being in subjection" is a continuous personal characteristic.

Even as Sara obeyed (hupakouo) to listen, attend, and so obey

Abraham calling him Lord (kurios) having authority

whose daughters (teknon) child is used both literally and figuratively, here it is figuratively

and are not afraid (phobeomai) fear

with any amazement (ptoesis) terror

At first this verse is hard to understand, but this translation makes it easier. "as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children ye have become doing good, and not fearing with any kind of consternation". We, in our time, have seen evil treatment of wives by unsaved husbands, but this verse deals with loving husbands. Should the christian wife be evilly treated by her unsaved husband this passage can be of great comfort. Remember God is at hand in powe