"Male and Female He Created Them" (part 1)
Introduction. The changing roles of men and women in our culture today have created new doctrines and heated controversy that God’s children must resolve only with Scripture. Today, women want equality. There are women who want to be soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and corporate leaders. Others want to be preachers, elders, song leaders and teachers in the churches. Many want a 50/50 equality in marriage where there is no leader. Some men are happy to relinquish the leadership role and absolve themselves from any responsibility. What do the Scriptures say? Are these changes opportunities for success or temptations to sin?
Most NT passages describing the woman’s role refer back to the creation. They form the firm foundation upon which all questions can be answered. In the beginning (Genesis 1-3), God revealed why He created man as male and female and described their similarities (1:26-28), their differences (2:7-25) and the impact of the curse on our relationship to Him and to each other (3:16-20). When we understand this, we will be prepared to talk scripturally and spiritually about it.
He wanted us to share His dominion and be able to make decisions over every living thing and over all the earth. He wanted us to fill the earth, subdue the earth, and take dominion over all the earth. All of this was given when God placed a soul and spirit into Adam and Eve which they could keep forever and ever.
The key to understanding this passage is in the pronouns. “Man” is singular (not men) and “them” is plural (not he). Since this is unusual, it must have a purpose, which is revealed in the next verse. “God created MAN in His own image, MALE AND FEMALE He created THEM. The Hebrew “adam” was used as a specific name (Adam), of a man (male) and of both men and women (mankind). “adam “man; mankind; people; someone (indefinite); Adam (the first man).” ... The Hebrew word appears about 562 times and in all periods of biblical Hebrew. .... adam is also used in reference to any given man, or to anyone male or female” (Vine’s OT:120).
The pronoun “THEM” forces us to understand “MAN” as both the “MALE and FEMALE.” Hence everything revealed about “MAN” in Gen. 1:26-28 applied equally to both the “MALE” and the “FEMALE.” There is no difference between men and women when it comes to the image of God, the dominion given as a result of being created in that image, and the eternal soul received.
Since both the male and the female share equally in God’s image and likeness, both their soul and spirit are the same. Nowhere in Scripture is it ever implied or stated that there is any difference between the soul of a man and the soul of a woman. Both male and the female have exactly the same eternal soul and spirit, given when they were created in God’s image and likeness. After the gospel brought life and immortality to light, the Holy Spirit further revealed that God sees no distinction in the soul of a man or a woman. There is no male and female as God sees the soul.
While speaking to the Sadducees about the resurrection, Jesus revealed the fullness of being “fellow-heirs.” After the resurrection, there is no more marriage because both male and female will be equal to the angels. Both male and female will then be sons of God and sons of the resurrection.
Conclusion. Although the work we do, the duties we have been given, and the submission we hold toward each other are different, the intrinsic value of that work and toil is identical and will receive the same praise at the resurrection. Both men and women can “glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1Cor. 6:19-20).
Most NT passages describing the woman’s role refer back to the creation. They form the firm foundation upon which all questions can be answered. In the beginning (Genesis 1-3), God revealed why He created man as male and female and described their similarities (1:26-28), their differences (2:7-25) and the impact of the curse on our relationship to Him and to each other (3:16-20). When we understand this, we will be prepared to talk scripturally and spiritually about it.
- Then God said, “Let Us make MAN in Our image, according to Our likeness; let THEM have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created MAN in His own image; in the image of God He created HIM; MALE AND FEMALE He created THEM. 28 Then God blessed THEM, and God said to THEM, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen. 1:26-28)
He wanted us to share His dominion and be able to make decisions over every living thing and over all the earth. He wanted us to fill the earth, subdue the earth, and take dominion over all the earth. All of this was given when God placed a soul and spirit into Adam and Eve which they could keep forever and ever.
The key to understanding this passage is in the pronouns. “Man” is singular (not men) and “them” is plural (not he). Since this is unusual, it must have a purpose, which is revealed in the next verse. “God created MAN in His own image, MALE AND FEMALE He created THEM. The Hebrew “adam” was used as a specific name (Adam), of a man (male) and of both men and women (mankind). “adam “man; mankind; people; someone (indefinite); Adam (the first man).” ... The Hebrew word appears about 562 times and in all periods of biblical Hebrew. .... adam is also used in reference to any given man, or to anyone male or female” (Vine’s OT:120).
The pronoun “THEM” forces us to understand “MAN” as both the “MALE and FEMALE.” Hence everything revealed about “MAN” in Gen. 1:26-28 applied equally to both the “MALE” and the “FEMALE.” There is no difference between men and women when it comes to the image of God, the dominion given as a result of being created in that image, and the eternal soul received.
Since both the male and the female share equally in God’s image and likeness, both their soul and spirit are the same. Nowhere in Scripture is it ever implied or stated that there is any difference between the soul of a man and the soul of a woman. Both male and the female have exactly the same eternal soul and spirit, given when they were created in God’s image and likeness. After the gospel brought life and immortality to light, the Holy Spirit further revealed that God sees no distinction in the soul of a man or a woman. There is no male and female as God sees the soul.
- For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:27-29)
- You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1Pet. 3:7)
While speaking to the Sadducees about the resurrection, Jesus revealed the fullness of being “fellow-heirs.” After the resurrection, there is no more marriage because both male and female will be equal to the angels. Both male and female will then be sons of God and sons of the resurrection.
- Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (Lk. 20:34-37)
Conclusion. Although the work we do, the duties we have been given, and the submission we hold toward each other are different, the intrinsic value of that work and toil is identical and will receive the same praise at the resurrection. Both men and women can “glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1Cor. 6:19-20).