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This passage [Galatians 3:28] deals with the worth of Christians in YEHOVAH’s sight, not
the abolition of roles. The death of Yeshua certainly did not do away with roles. There are still the
roles of husbands and wives, parents and children, governments and citizens, elders and congrega-
tions, in addition to others. While we have different roles to play, all Christians have the same
worth in YEHOVAH’s sight.

However, in consequence of the subordination of women, YEHOVAH assigned women a
unique role and placed some restrictions upon them as well. All commands are to all Christians
unless YEHOVAH has made an exception, and He made some exceptions concerning women.

In the home, a wife and mother has chiefly domestic duties (1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:1-5).
This area of godly service especially includes for a mother the care for and guidance of young
children; a mother has no more important duty before YEHOVAH and in service to the church than
the proper care of her family. When woman vacates her place, she has vacated a place that no one
else can fill.

The American Standard Version of the Bible reads: “workers at home” where the King
James Version has “keepers at home” (Titus 2:5). Truly, YEHOVAH has given to women work to
do: (1) which they must accept to please him, (2) which mission should be joyfully received, and
(3) for which women deserve ample appreciation for their godly labors. The simplicity of the
phrase “keepers at home” demands our understanding of it. Just as a zookeeper runs or works in a
zoo, so a ‘home keeper’ runs or works in the home.

As a wife, woman is more than a mate. She is a partner with her husband in their mutual
quest for earthly and heavenly goals, through separate roles. A subordinate and dutiful wife de-
serves love and kind treatment from her husband (Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33; Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter
3:7). Acquila and Priscilla are a noble Bible example of a husband-wife team worthy of contem-
porary emulation.

In the church, leadership roles are assigned to men and supportive roles are delegated to
women; yet, not even every man can be an elder (1 Timothy 3:1-7), or deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13),
or preacher, or teacher (1 Corinthians 12:18). But, men as a group are charged by YEHOVAH
with the responsibility to guide and publicly teach the church; YEHOVAH has forbidden women
these same duties.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubt-
ing. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame-
facedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But
(which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in
silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over
the man, but to be in silence (1 Timothy 2:8-12).

The context of 1 Timothy 2:8-12 pertains to worship and notes the respective roles of men
and women regarding its public aspect. The apostle Paul used a Greek word (a derivative of aner)
denoting men in contrast to women in verses eight and 12 to identify: (1) who was to offer public
prayer, and (2) whom women are prohibited to teach by exercising authority. Earlier in 1 Timothy

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