Help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel.
Philippians 4:3
No other religion in the world has a higher view of women than Christianity. For most religions and cultures, a woman is a second-class citizen, little more than chattel, a slave, or the property of her parents first, and then her husband. The man has all the rights, and the woman has little to no rights. She is often reduced to a sex object. Many pagan religions also abuse women through religious prostitution.
But not in Christianity! Only in Christianity and in the Bible do you see not man’s view of women but God’s view of women! God gave specific laws in the Bible to protect women (Exodus 20:14, 17). He commanded that both the father and mother were to be equally honored and respected (Exodus 20:12). Both the father and mother were to be involved in the spiritual instruction of the children (Proverbs 1:8).
We can see women in leadership from time to time like Deborah, who was the fourth judge of Israel. She was also called a prophetess, who made spiritual and legal decisions for Israel.
In the New Testament, Luke’s birth narrative was told from Mary’s perspective. In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, four women are listed, which was against the cultural tradition of the day: Rahab, Tamar, Ruth, and Bathsheba.
In addition to the 12 Disciples who followed Jesus, there were also women such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. Jesus not only had close friendships with men, but also with women like Mary and Martha, whose house He enjoyed visiting for meals, fellowship, and rest. Women were with Him until the end at the cross, at the tomb, and at His resurrection.
Women were a part of the very first Pentecost and experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They were also very active in the ministry of the Apostle Paul, as the verse above shares.
Paul entrusted Phoebe with the responsibility of carrying the Letter to the Roman Christians! She was also one of the first deaconesses of the church. Acts 16:14 tells us that the first convert in Philippi was a prominent woman by the name of Lydia. Paul acknowledged the great spiritual influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had on Timothy’s spiritual development (2 Timothy 1:5).
Women are as essential to the life and health of the spiritual family—the Church—as they are to the life and health of the physical family! Just like they give birth to and nurture babies, they are also crucial in the birth and nurturing of new Christians.
They are not a substitute for the men—nor should they ever try to be! But neither are the men a substitute for them! Just like a physical family needs both a father and mother to be healthy, the Church needs both men and women active in ministry to be healthy.
Both women and men are equally filled with the Holy Spirit and gifted by Him. In one sense, men are the spiritual head of the church, while women are the spiritual heart of the church. A church must have both actively involved through their various gifts, and in unity and harmony, to be a healthy, growing church.
