Topical Encyclopedia The topic of women working is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, reflecting both the cultural context of ancient times and the enduring principles that can be applied today. The Scriptures provide examples of women engaged in a variety of roles, both within the home and in broader society, demonstrating their capabilities and contributions to God's purposes.Old Testament Examples In the Old Testament, women are depicted in various working roles. Proverbs 31 provides a comprehensive picture of a virtuous woman who is industrious and resourceful. Proverbs 31:13-18 describes her as one who "selects wool and flax and works with eager hands," and "considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard." This passage highlights her involvement in both domestic and commercial activities, emphasizing her wisdom and diligence. Another notable example is Ruth, a Moabite woman who worked diligently in the fields to provide for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth 2:2 states, "And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, 'Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.'" Ruth's work ethic and loyalty eventually led to her becoming the great-grandmother of King David. New Testament Examples In the New Testament, women are also seen in various roles of work and service. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, is mentioned in Acts 16:14 as a "worshiper of God" whose heart was opened by the Lord to respond to Paul's message. Her business acumen and hospitality played a significant role in the early Christian community in Philippi. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, acknowledges the contributions of women in ministry and work. In Romans 16:1-2 , he commends Phoebe, a deaconess of the church in Cenchreae, and urges the believers to "receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in any matter she may need from you." This indicates her active involvement in the work of the church. Principles and Teachings The Bible upholds the value of work for both men and women, emphasizing diligence, stewardship, and service. Colossians 3:23 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men." This principle applies to all believers, encouraging them to view their work as an act of worship and service to God. While the Bible presents a variety of roles for women, it also emphasizes the importance of family and home life. Titus 2:3-5 advises older women to "encourage the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited." This passage highlights the significance of the home as a sphere of influence and ministry. Cultural Context and Application The cultural context of biblical times often dictated specific roles for women, yet the underlying principles of work, stewardship, and service remain relevant. Women in the Bible are portrayed as capable and industrious, contributing to their families, communities, and the work of God. The examples of women working in Scripture provide a foundation for understanding the diverse roles women can hold today, both within the home and in the broader society, as they seek to honor God in all they do. Topical Bible Verses Titus 2:5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Topicalbible.org Romans 16:1-27 Galatians 3:28 1 Timothy 2:11-12 1 Timothy 2:12 1 Peter 3:1 1 Corinthians 11:1-34 1 Corinthians 14:34 Ephesians 5:22 Library Women Adorned with Good Work Three Objections That no Man Shall Deem Another, but Give God Praise: and of Eight ... The Grey Sisters The Women of the Apostolic Age Working For God! Man's Working Day Whither is Thy Beloved Gone, O Thou Fairest among Women? Whither ... Now I have Only Taken the Test Case of Female Suffrage Because it ... The Larger Part of Womankind, However, have had to Fight for ... Resources What does the Bible say about women pastors? | GotQuestions.orgDo women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org Are men and women equal in God's eyes? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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