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amongst professing Christians. A proper understanding of the failure in Eden (alas just a
myth to so many) will correct any such tendency in those who love the Lord and His
Word.
No.8.
The Calling of Woman.
pp. 228 - 233
Insofar that the headship of man has already been considered in this series of articles,
and this speaks of a relationship, the calling of woman has also been touched upon. Also
in article No.2, when referring to the equality of man and woman, it was seen that, since
woman was built originally as an "help meet" for man, she is thus his complement. It
would be a good preparation for the present article, if the reader went back to these
previous articles (Nos.2,4,5) and read again what has been written there.
Woman created on account of the man.
The Scriptural reason for the creation of woman is made clear in two passages:
"It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him . . .
and the Lord God . . . made He a woman . . ." (Gen. 2: 18, 21-23).
"Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man" (I Cor. 11: 9).
It will be appreciated that on the basis of these words, the peculiar calling of woman
cannot properly be understood apart from her relationship to man. (By her "peculiar
calling" is meant her calling as a woman, not her calling, for example, as a member of the
Body of Christ, although the latter calling must obviously include the former.) She was
originally built as a complement for man, the two together forming a unity--"one flesh"
(Gen. 2: 24). There seems to be no reason to assume that this original intention has
changed since, even in such a spiritual calling as the Body of Christ (cp. Eph. 5: 22-33).
What does have to be taken into account however, is that with the entrance of sin, this
unity and relationship (which can only be realized in what we call "marriage") does not
always come about. Some do not marry for one reason or another, and there are times
when it is expedient not to do so (cp. I Cor. 7: 25-40). Such things as these impose
limitations on this subject, as has been already indicated in article No.3.
Before proceeding any further it is important to make it quite clear that since both
married and unmarried (men or women) are called as members of the Body of Christ, it is
obviously possible for them to "walk worthily" of that calling, whether single or married.
Otherwise, Paul's exhortation in Eph. 4: 1 would be so much mockery from the Lord.
But there are further responsibilities which divulge upon the married (Eph. 5: 22 - 6: 4;
Col. 3: 18-21), and which represent part of their worthy walk. These latter
responsibilities are a reflection of the peculiar callings of man and woman, understood
and realized fully only within marriage.