Women
Glass ceilings, exploitation, date rape, battles over reproductive rights-these things are evidence that women in North America still face gender struggles. But millions of women in other parts of the world endure much worse, as did women in ancient times. Reading the Bible can sometimes be very painful because it dos not gloss over the reality of the status of most women. God created Eve to be the perfect counterpart, companion and co-ruler with Adam. The entrance of sin into the world set men and women against each other and warped God's purposes for them both.

Women are different from, yet interdependent with, men. Both are heirs (see inheritance) of Christ and gifted by his Spirit.
Genesis 2:22-23
Luke 2:36-38
Acts 2:17-21; 5:14
1 Corinthians 11:11-12
Galatians 3:28
1 Peter 3:7
Jesus welcomes women into relationship and ministry with him. In the Old Testament, women also participated in worship (see Worship), prophesy and service to the Lord.
Exodus 15:20-21
Judges 4:14-24
Nehemiah 7:67
Luke 8:3; 24:1-11
John 4:26; 11:1-35
The roles and functions of women may vary from one culture or setting to another, but God's calling is the same for women as it is for men: serve Christ by loving and submitting to others.
Ephesians 5:21
1 Peter 3:8
Within the family, women are called to submit to their own husbands and to love their children.
Ephesians 5:22-24, 33
Titus 2:3-4
Within the church (see Church), women are to follow, within their cultural context, the leadership God establishes.
1 Corinthians 11:3-16
1 Timothy 2:1
In contrast to the culture around them, women are to find their beauty, worth and security in trusting the Lord.
Proverbs 31:30
Galatians 4:4
1 Timothy 2:9-10
1 Peter 3:3-6