Genesis 3:16 shows that the fall distorted marriage into a struggle for authority, where the word “desire” reflects a sinful impulse toward control rather than harmony, as echoed in the language of sin seeking to dominate Cain (Genesis 4:7). At the same time, the man’s rule is also corrupted, shifting from loving leadership to harsh domination, creating a broken dynamic of rivalry instead of unity. This tension reflects a reversal of God’s original design, where the woman was created as a complementary helper and the man as a loving, protective leader (Genesis 2:18–24). Instead of mutual partnership under God, both husband and wife now battle temptation toward either control or passivity in marriage. The New Testament shows the gospel restoring this distortion by calling husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25–28). It also calls wives to respond with willing, respectful partnership that reflects the church’s response to Christ’s headship (Ephesians 5:22–24). In this way, redemption does not erase distinction but heals it, transforming conflict into Christ-centered unity under God’s good design.
We live at a time
where it’s shameful even to suggest that differences between men and women exist,
let alone say that within a marriage, a woman is to submit to her husband’s
authority. This is because the last 50 years have seen the rise of feminism and
the reversal of gender roles. It is now considered good when a woman rebels
against her husband, and is “A Handmaid’s Tale” when women support their man.
Eve fell for the
lie that she was better off eating the fruit than obeying God, and society still
falls for that lie, thinking it empowers women when it encourages them to be
single, childless, and independent. But God created us male and female so that
we would complement one another, making each other stronger. Men have strengths
that women don’t, and women have strengths that men don’t. When they function
together, respecting their God-designed differences, relationships, and society
flourishes.
For the believer
reading this, it can be hard to go against the world’s push for gender equality.
However, God has saved you to be conformed to Jesus. Men: just as Jesus is the
head of the church and died for it, you are to be the head of your families.
You are to lead and protect your family sacrificially, and to guide your wives spiritually. Women: just like the church submits to Jesus, you are to submit to your
husband. You are to support him and help him, praying that God would make him
into a godly man. Both men and women: together, you are to illustrate the
relationship between Christ and the church to the world so that they might come
to know Him and be saved!
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