Were Gender Roles Redefined After the Fall? Gender Role Series – Lesson 02

Creation Principles: Foundation for NT Teaching on Gender Roles Jesus’ teaching on marriage was based on the creation account (Matt. 19:4, 8). Creation is the pattern for what should be considered “very good” (Gen.1:31). Apostles’ teaching on gender roles grounded in the creation account. HOWEVER, WERE GENDER ROLES REDEFINED AFTER THE FALL?

Why Is This Question Important? It helps us to answer other questions that arise during the study. Thus, dealing with it first avoids distraction and confusion.

Creation Indicates Headship-role for Man Different genders, different roles (1:27) Man from dust, woman from man (2:7, 22) Man to work, protect before woman (2:15) God gave man authority name every living creature including woman (2:19-23; 3:20). Woman was created as a helper to the man and was brought to him (2:18, 22). Man was to initiate the marriage (2:24)

Is God declaring a punishment in Gen. 3:16b or stating the situation? Only 3 places where this “desire” is used (Gen. 3:16; 4:7; Song 7:10). Song of Solomon is completely different context. Gen. 4:7 is EXACT parallel.

Is God declaring a punishment in Gen. 3:16b or stating the situation? 3:16 Yet your desire will be for your husband 4:7 [Sin’s] desire is for you 3:16 And he will rule over you 4:7 but you must master it

Woman’s Desire Will Be to Rule but Her Husband Must Rule Over Her Gen. 3:4-6 – Eve desired to free herself by becoming God’s equal.

Genesis 3:4-6 4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Woman’s Desire Will Be to Rule but Her Husband Must Rule Over Her Gen. 3:4-6 – Eve desired to free herself by becoming God’s equal. Gen. 3:1-3 – Eating demanded open rebellion.

Genesis 3:1-3 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the L ORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ”

Woman’s Desire Will Be to Rule but Her Husband Must Rule Over Her Gen. 3:4-6 – Eve desired to free herself by becoming God’s equal. Gen. 3:1-3 – Eating demanded open rebellion. Gen. 3:16 – God was merely stating that marital strife would be the result of sin entering into the relationship but man must still rule over his family.

Makes Better Sense of Relationship of Christ & the Church. Paul taught that Christ’s headship role over the church is modeled after marriage. ◦ Is our subordination to Christ the result of our sin? ◦ Or, is our subordination to Christ part of God’s original plan?

What about 1 Timothy 2:14? 11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. (1 Timothy 2:11-14)

Conclusions Man’s headship and woman’s submission rests solidly on creation principles. Gender roles are not a bad thing nor punishment but God’s “very good” design. Man’s headship and woman’s submission is still God’s design for marriages today. As such, we should be eager to embrace God’s will which is always for our benefit!