1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org
1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org 1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org
Man's superiority consists in his greater strength, both physical andmental. These various steps are in God's order. True, in the presentmixed and imperfect condition, many women are superior to manymen, but such women should be very sure not to become wives ofsuch men; for in so doing they must either violate the divine order(Eph. 5:22), or else submit themselves to an inferior which is alsoout of harmony with the Lord's design.In view of these considerations, let us note the instruction of theApostle Paul, and see that its very object is the same as thatcontemplated in the union of the first perfect pair in Eden: "Wivessubmit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord; for thehusband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of theChurch, and he is the Saviour [preserver, care-taker] of the body.Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives beto their husbands in every thing. Husbands love your wives even asChrist also loved the Church and gave himself for it, that he mightsanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Thathe might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, orwrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and withoutblemish. So ought man to love their wives as their own bodies"(Eph. 5:22-28). Children may then obey both parents, since eachwill be in harmony with the other and with the Lord.In recognition of the same principle, the headship of man, Paulfurther states: "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assumeauthority over man, but to be quiet" (1 Tim. 2:12). Surely Pauldoes not mean that a woman's lips must be forever sealed that shemay not declare the good tidings of great joy to others. Does notthe same Apostle say: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there isneither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are allONE in Christ Jesus." And does not the prophet Isaiah teach thatall the anointed, are anointed to preach the good tidings. It is inharmony with these, then, that we must understand the above wordsof the Apostle.The Apostle's idea seems therefore to be, that in no case, howeverimportant the truth we are commissioned to bear, is woman toassume a position of authority and command. She may tell theblessed tidings of great joy anywhere and everywhere, and towhomsoever she has opportunity; but always with becomingmodesty, stating the truth so clearly that of itself it may carryconviction with it and her own individuality be lost sight of. Thiselement of character is one which naturally belongs to woman, butis generally very soon lost by those who attempt to work in a publicway. The work for the majority of women, is the individual, quietand none the less effective work. Her greatest influence is thatexerted strictly within her divinely appointed sphere. If opportunityand ability should point out a more public sphere of usefulness, shemay fill it as long as such opportunity lasts, if in so doing, she bearsthat modest, quiet demeanor, in action, word, and apparel, whichbecometh woman professing Godliness.
Again, we see that in this relationship of husband and wife, isprefigured the beautiful relationship between Christ Jesus and thechurch. And as in the type, so in the antitype, the church, the brideof Christ is to be subject unto him in everything; earnestly seekingat all times to know, and then delighting to do his will. As thewoman is not to assume authority and direct the man, so the churchis not to assume authority and to attempt to direct in the Lord'swork, but is to be "quiet," searching diligently to know his plan andmethods, and then endeavoring faithfully to execute them.When God's plan shall be brought fully into execution, we see thatloving authority and joyful submission will fill the universe withblessed peace and everlasting joy--and "God shall be all in all" (1Cor. 15:28). Head over all --his will done in earth as it is done inheaven. Seeing this to be God's ultimate design, it should be ourendeavor now, so far as it is in our power, to carry out and illustratethat purpose now. It can only be fully illustrated, however, bythose who are "united in the Lord."The Apostle's high regard for woman and woman's work is shownby his mention of several faithful co-laborers and helpers amongthem--see Rom. 16:1-6,13;R766 : page 7also Phil. 4:3: "I entreat thee...help those women which laboredwith me in the gospel.... whose names are in the book of life." AndActs 1:14: "All continued with one accord in prayer andsupplication with the women." And 1 Cor. 11:5: "Every womanthat prayeth or prophesieth (teacheth)."These scriptures teach, that women did a work in the Apostles' dayswhich was approved and appreciated by them and by the Lord. Yetwomen usually spoke only at the smaller gatherings; and when Paulsaid, "Let the women keep silence in the congregations," heprobably had reference to the public gatherings at which it was thecustom to have more or less debate. In these public debatings, Paulthought a woman's voice would be out of place, and this is theopinion of most thinking men and women to-day, though it has bymany been carried to an extreme, forbidding them to pray or teachon any occasion, even in more private assemblies of Christians; thiswe regard as an error.God has arranged that the man and woman are representative ofChrist and his Bride, the Church, and this rule by which thehusband is the head of the wife is always maintained in theScriptures. And probably this is one reason that men have alwaysbeen given the more active and public work of the ministry, andwomen more the work of assisting and more private teaching, yetequally as acceptable to God. So Christ is the active agent incarrying out his own plan. He is the great minister of all, and we ashis Church are permitted to be helps meet for his use; to do a lesserpart and yet an acceptable part, well pleasing to God.
- Page 213 and 214: entered into the realization of her
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- Page 221 and 222: This may be regarded as the express
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- Page 225 and 226: Now for another view. Election is t
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- Page 229 and 230: wait in the unconsciousness of deat
- Page 231 and 232: consequently, not many are now able
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- Page 239 and 240: narrow is the way." You remember he
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- Page 243 and 244: equally subserved. But shall we who
- Page 245 and 246: his commandments are not grievous"
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- Page 249 and 250: this light how forcible his argumen
- Page 251 and 252: divine glory)--is it a marvel that
- Page 253 and 254: the prolonged and bitter fight of f
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- Page 257 and 258: Jesus ransomed no one from the seco
- Page 259 and 260: flourish and "evil doers shall be c
- Page 261 and 262: Seven thousand years of mingled evi
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- Page 279 and 280: To claim another redemption and ano
- Page 281 and 282: us suppose that only one thousand w
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- Page 289 and 290: -"the door" to the "Holy" and "the
- Page 291 and 292: work of sacrifice (the Priests) had
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- Page 295 and 296: typical of qualities and powers of
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- Page 299 and 300: oil" has run down "even to the skir
- Page 301 and 302: wafer was mingled with honey, and r
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- Page 305 and 306: saints. The robe of linen was an ea
- Page 307 and 308: was then in the "Most Holy," condit
- Page 309 and 310: Priests and Levites), and the goat,
- Page 311 and 312: viz.: to become dead to the world,
- Page 313 and 314: a willing sacrifice, like that of t
Again, we see that in this relationship of husband and wife, isprefigured the beautiful relationship between Christ Jesus and thechurch. And as in the type, so in the antitype, the church, the brideof Christ is to be subject unto him in everything; earnestly seekingat all times to know, and then delighting to do his will. As thewoman is not to assume authority and direct the man, so the churchis not to assume authority and to attempt to direct in the Lord'swork, but is to be "quiet," searching diligently to know his plan andmethods, and then endeavoring faithfully to execute them.When God's plan shall be brought fully into execution, we see thatloving authority and joyful submission will fill the universe withblessed peace and everlasting joy--and "God shall be all in all" (1Cor. 15:28). Head over all --his will done in earth as it is done inheaven. Seeing this to be God's ultimate design, it should be ourendeavor now, so far as it is in our power, to carry out and illustratethat purpose now. It can only be fully illustrated, however, bythose who are "united in the Lord."The Apostle's high regard for woman and woman's work is shownby his mention of several faithful co-laborers and helpers amongthem--see Rom. 16:1-6,13;R766 : page 7also Phil. 4:3: "I entreat thee...help those women which laboredwith me in the gospel.... whose names are in the book of life." AndActs 1:14: "All continued with one accord in prayer andsupplication with the women." And 1 Cor. 11:5: "Every womanthat prayeth or prophesieth (teacheth)."These scriptures teach, that women did a work in the Apostles' dayswhich was approved and appreciated by them and by the Lord. Yetwomen usually spoke only at the smaller gatherings; and when Paulsaid, "Let the women keep silence in the congregations," heprobably had reference to the public gatherings at which it was thecustom to have more or less debate. In these public debatings, Paulthought a woman's voice would be out of place, and this is theopinion of most thinking men and women to-day, though it has bymany been carried to an extreme, forbidding them to pray or teachon any occasion, even in more private assemblies of Christians; thiswe regard as an error.God has arranged that the man and woman are representative ofChrist and his Bride, the Church, and this rule by which thehusband is the head of the wife is always maintained in theScriptures. And probably this is one reason that men have alwaysbeen given the more active and public work of the ministry, andwomen more the work of assisting and more private teaching, yetequally as acceptable to God. So Christ is the active agent incarrying out his own plan. He is the great minister of all, and we ashis Church are permitted to be helps meet for his use; to do a lesserpart and yet an acceptable part, well pleasing to God.
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