Do you feel that Paul the apostle was a misogynist?

Question

Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes. Women are not considered the equals of men, but are told be subserviant and obediant and considered lesser creatures than men in the deity's eyes.

Romans

Paul says "the head of the woman is the man," meaning that the women are to be subordinate to men. 11:3

If a woman refuses to cover her head in church, then her her head must be shaved. 11:5-6

Men are made in the image of God; women in the image of men. Women were created from and for men. 11:7-9

Women are commanded by Paul to be silent in church and to be obedient to men. He further says that "if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in church." 14:34-35

Ephesians

Wives must submit to their husbands "in every thing" as though they were Christ. "For the husband is the head of the wife." 5:22-24

Wives must reverence their husband. 5:33

Colossians

Wives, according to Paul, must submit themselves to their husbands. 3:18

1 Timothy
Women are to dress modestly, "with shamefacedness" -- "not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." 2:9

"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." 2:11-12

Real widows are "desolate" and pray "night and day." But those widows that experience pleasure are "dead while [they] live." 5:5-6

You should help a widow only if she 1) is over 60 years old, 2) had only one husband, 3) has raised children, 4) has lodged strangers, 5) has "washed the saints feet," 6) has relieved the afflicted, and 7) has "diligently followed very good work." Otherwise, let them starve. "But the younger widows refuse [to help]: for ... they will marry; having damnation." Besides the young widows are always idle tattlers -- "busybodies, spreading things which they ought not." He adds that "some are already turned aside after Satan." 5:9-15

Answer 2

I love these Bible beaters who know all the verses that supposedly prohibit women from leadership in the church, yet they conveniently forget the absolute proof that Paul ENDORSED women as priests.

I turn your attention to Romans, Chapter 16, where Paul writes the Roman, informing them that Pheobe was coming to them as a Deacon of the church (there were only two church offices at the time: Bishop and Deacon), and that they should do what she required of them. Paul also goes on to praise several other women who are in the position of authority in the early church.

Now if women were subservient to men, then why should he send a woman to such an important center of the ancient world? Further why would he have charged her with collecting monies for delivery to the church at Jerusalem, which Paul had hoped to reconcile the early factions within Christianity?

Answer 3

Some may feel that way because of his statements at 1Cor 11:3 and Timothy. But Paul was explaining the headship principle, which also applies to men. Also he had affection for his Christian sisters. He mentions them by name; speaks of them as fellow workers and inheritors of the divine favor of life. He shows that from God's viewpoint all faithful ones are the same and will rank the same when ruling in heaven. ( Priscilla, Lydia, Euodia are a few he mentioned with fondness) In Ephesians he tells husbands they must love their wivef as them selves. They must not be bitterly angry with them. At 1 Corinthians he says that woemn are examples to the angels. So as I said before Paul honored and had affection for his sisters.

Answer 4

Paul was an Apostle called by God. To be an Apostle to the Gentiles.

Answer 5

No. There is no evidence of it.