The Bible has a lot to say about women, their roles, and their value in God’s eyes. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about women:
Women created equal to men
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
This foundational verse establishes that both men and women are made in the image of God and therefore have equal value and dignity.
Women as helpers and partners to men
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
“In the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:27-28)
These verses show God’s plan for men and women to be partners and helpmates, working together to fulfill God’s purposes.
Examples of godly women in the Bible
The Bible highlights many women who had strong faith and character, such as:
- Ruth – loyal daughter-in-law to Naomi (Book of Ruth)
- Esther – saved the Jewish people from genocide (Book of Esther)
- Mary – mother of Jesus (Luke 1-2)
- Mary and Martha – friends of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44)
- Mary Magdalene – follower of Christ who witnessed his resurrection (Matthew 27:56-61, John 20:1-18)
- Lydia – successful businesswoman and early convert to Christianity (Acts 16:11-15)
- Priscilla – church leader and teacher (Acts 18, Romans 16:3-5)
These women set examples of courage, leadership, service, and devotion that both women and men should emulate.
Women’s gifts and roles in ministry
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
In Christ, gender distinctions do not impact a person’s status or value. Women as well as men are given spiritual gifts to use in service to God.
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8)
Examples of women using their spiritual gifts in the early church include:
- Priscilla and Aquila teaching Apollos together (Acts 18:26)
- Philip’s four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9)
- Phoebe serving as a deaconess in the church at Cenchreae (Romans 16:1-2)
- Junia, described as “prominent among the apostles” (Romans 16:7)
Women as wives and mothers
The Bible gives instruction for godly womanhood in the context of marriage and family relationships:
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.” (Ephesians 5:22–23)
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.” (1 Peter 3:1-2)
These verses call wives to submit to their husbands’ leadership, while husbands are called to sacrificial love and service to their wives:
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25)
Godly mothers are praised for their noble influence:
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26)
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'” (Proverbs 31:28-29)
Women as followers and disciples of Jesus
Jesus treated women with dignity, acceptance, and forgiveness, countering cultural stigmas against women at the time. Some examples include:
- Jesus allowing Mary to sit at his feet as a disciple, which was unconventional at the time (Luke 10:38-42)
- Jesus engaging in theological discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42)
- Jesus forgiving the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)
The faith and devotion of many women disciples are highlighted as examples, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Luke 8:1-3).
Women’s access to salvation and spiritual blessings
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
The blessings of salvation, forgiveness, and spiritual growth are freely available to both men and women who put their faith in Christ.
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
God graciously invites all people, regardless of gender, into relationship with him through faith.
Women in the early church
The early Christian church saw a flourishing of women’s ministries and leadership. Examples include:
- Lydia hosting a house church (Acts 16:40)
- Chloe leading a house church (1 Corinthians 1:11)
- Euodia and Syntyche laboring alongside Paul in ministry (Philippians 4:2-3)
- Many other women in ministry and leadership positions (Romans 16)
The evidence shows that women were actively involved in significant ways in the early church, using their spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
Verses on valuing women
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)
This verse calls husbands to value and honor their wives.
“The Lord gives the command; women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host:” (Psalm 68:11 ESV)
This psalm celebrates women who boldly proclaim God’s truth.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
This emphasizes the equal standing of men and women before God.
In summary, the Bible affirms the equal value of women, counts them among Christ’s disciples, and celebrates their spiritual gifts used for God’s glory. While giving some different roles to men and women in marriage, the overall arc bends toward the full inclusion of women alongside men in the privileges and responsibilities of following Jesus.