The New Testament household codes in Ephesians 5-6 and Colossians 3-4 are not primarily about gender roles or even gender. They are about power and about mitigating the abuse that often comes with power.
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In this post, I look at Nympha, a Christian mentioned in Colossians 4:15. What was her association with Paul? What was her ministry? Where was her house church? Was she really a woman?
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Timothy saw firsthand how Paul handled ministry and he must have heard the apostle speak and teach on ministry countless times. So, it doesn’t make sense that 1 Timothy 2:12ff represents Paul’s general teaching on women in ministry that Timothy needed to be told. It makes more sense that 1 Timothy 2:11-15 is Paul’s advice about a specific, local situation and even a specific couple.
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Inspired by a recent reading in Acts, I’ve taken a close look at a common Greek expression that Paul uses when addressing Euodia and Syntyche. What was Paul saying to these women in the Philippian Church?
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This article looks at Junia, a Christian missionary mentioned in Romans 16:7 who was persecuted for her faith and may have known Jesus personally. Was she also known as Joanna?
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A few verses in Paul’s letters are frequently cited by Christians who exclude women from some ministries. Did Paul really restrict women in either ministry or marriage? This is part 3 of a series on gender roles in the Bible.
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Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:14ff), and women like her, were vital and strategic players at the forefront of the expanding Christian mission.
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Is there a better paradigm than male headship and female submission that more fully conveys NT principles for husbands and wives who are in Christ?
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Was Paul concerned about women’s hair or veils in ancient Corinth? Would he be concerned about it in 21st-century Sydney? I wrote this piece in response to the recent Equip 17 women’s conference.
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Priscilla, Phoebe and Junia were Christian ministers who sometimes travelled. The NT shows that, at the very least, their paths crossed one or twice. Did these women become friends? I hope so.
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Apphia was a woman greeted by Paul in his letter to Philemon. What was her role or position at Colossae? Was she Philemon’s wife? Or was she another Phoebe?
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A thorough knowledge of scripture is an important qualification for many Christian ministries. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which mentions this qualification, does not exclude women, women like Priscilla.
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