In New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ, NT scholar Thomas R. Schreiner discusses the NT understanding of men and women in a chapter on "The Social World of God's People." In a section examining the role of women, Schreiner highlights the prominent role that women play in the NT, particularly in Luke/Acts and John. Women fill vital roles in accomplishing God's purposes, are the recipients of Jesus' compassion, follow Jesus as faithful disciples, and play a significant part in the spread of the gospel. According to Paul's letters, "women were involved in the ministry of the church in remarkable ways," Schreiner writes, and a number of women are identified by Paul as "laborers" and "co-workers" in the gospel (p. 772). Men and women are "one in Christ, and have equal access to the promise of salvation" (p. 774).
Yet this same Paul who declares "the fundamental equality of men and women in Christ" also affirms a difference in role between men and women (p. 774). "The equality between men and women," Schreiner affirms, "does not cancel out a difference in function or role" (p. 775). Paul clearly prohibits women from teaching or exercising authority over men (1 Tim 2:12). Attempts to explain away Paul's directive as a temporary restriction should be rejected, Schreiner contends, "for Paul grounds his directive in the created order—in Adam being formed before Eve (1 Tim 2:13)" (p. 773).
Schreiner argues that, according to Paul, women can serve as deacons but not as elders/overseers. The diaconal ministry is a supportive role, but the "qualifications for pastoral ministry include being apt to teach and the ability to lead (1 Tim 3:2; 5:17; Titus 1:9)—the very two activities prohibited for women according to 1 Tim 2:12" (p. 774). Thus, the new age inaugurated by Christ "clarifies that men and women are equal in Christ" but "did not signal an abolition of all role distinctions" (p. 776).
Schreiner also examines the NT passages on marriage. He warns that one must not restrict Paul's understanding of the husband-wife relationship "so that it becomes one dimensional." On the contrary, it is evident that Paul understood "that husbands and wives are to relate to one another as equals and co-heirs in the gospel" (p. 781). Once again, though, Paul's teaching on equality and mutuality "does not cancel out the particular responsibilities to which husbands and wives are called" (p. 781).
According to Ephesians, husbands are to show a sacrificial love for their wives. Wives are to "submit" to their husbands because the husband is the "head" of the wife, indicating that the husband's authority is in view. It is significant that Paul points to Gen 2:24 and declares that this husband-wife relationship is a "mystery" that "reflects the relationship between Christ and the church" (p. 782). "Since marriage mirrors Christ's relationship to the church," the specific roles assigned by Paul to husbands and wives "cannot be dismissed as a cultural accretion." Moreover, the fact that the husband's love is to be modeled after Christ's love for the church rules out severity and harshness. "[H]eadship is not to be exercised tyrannically or abusively," Schreiner insists, "since husbands are to nourish and cherish their wives" (p. 782).
Schreiner also observes Peter's admonition to wives to subject themselves to their husbands—even unbelieving husbands (1 Pet 3:1-7), with the hope that they might be won to the gospel. But, this submission "should flow from hope in God rather than fear." In the Greco-Roman world, to worship a God other than one's husband was counter-cultural. A wife's submission, then, is not absolute. In the most important arena of life Peter expects wives not to follow their husbands, but "to influence husbands by their gentle spirit and godly behavior" (p. 784).
Schreiner's New Testament Theology is a masterful work. Though some complementarians may occasionally disagree with his interpretation or theological perspective on other matters, Schreiner presents a clear, bold, and winsome picture of biblical manhood and womanhood. In keeping with the book's subtitle, we pray that his work will encourage God's people to magnify God in Christ.