The Origin of Women’s “Inferiority”

For centuries, many societies have held the belief that women are inherently inferior to men. But where did this idea come from, and how does it compare with the radical way Jesus treated women—including in marriage, ministry, and leadership?

Ancient Philosophical Roots

Much of Western thought about women’s “place” began in ancient Greece. Philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates shaped ideas that would echo for centuries.

·         Aristotle considered women biologically and intellectually inferior, naturally suited to domestic roles and subordination to men.

·         Plato proposed women could participate in leadership if capable, yet still assumed women were physically weaker and less rational than men.

·         Socrates, living in a culture dominated by male hierarchy, largely accepted women’s subordination as the norm.

These ideas became foundational for laws, family structures, and education, embedding patriarchy into societies for millennia. All these philosophers lived and died before Jesus was born yet their mindsets are still being preached in pulpits and homes today. So who are people still listening to today, Jesus who came to abolish oppression or those who instilled it?

The Impact on Marriage

In this worldview, marriage was seen as male-led by default, with women expected to obey and serve, while men held authority and decision-making power. Women were often valued primarily for childbearing and domestic duties. Love, mutual respect, and partnership were secondary, if considered at all.

Jesus’ Radical Approach In stark contrast, Jesus treated women with love, dignity, equality, and respect—and this extended to marriage, ministry, and leadership.

·         Women as disciples and ministers: Women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others actively followed, supported, and witnessed His ministry (Luke 8:1-3). Mary Magdalene was the first to proclaim the resurrection, Jesus trusted her with His good news, demonstrating leadership and authority in spreading the Gospel.

·         Breaking cultural norms: Jesus taught women directly, valued their wisdom, and welcomed their presence in spaces where women were normally excluded.

·         Marriage as partnership: He honored women’s voices and affirmed God’s original design for men and women to govern the earth together (Genesis 1:26-28). Marriage, in His vision, is co-leadership, mutual respect, and shared authority (Luke 10:19). God’s plan has not changed!

·         Empowering women for leadership: Jesus’ example set the stage for women to take on spiritual leadership roles in the early church.

Women in Leadership Today (Biblical Examples)Following Jesus’ example, women are called to serve in all areas of ministry and leadership, just as they did in Scripture:

·         Evangelists – Women were the first to proclaim the Good News.

o    Mary Magdalene: First witness of the resurrection (John 20:1-18).

o    The Samaritan woman at the well: Shared Jesus’ message with her entire town (John 4:28-30, 39).

·         Pastors and church leaders – Women led early Christian communities and taught God’s Word.

o    Chloe: Likely led a house church (1 Corinthians 1:11).

o    Nympha: Christian leader who hosted a house church. (Col. 4:15).

o    Phoebe: Deacon of the church in Cenchreae, recognized for her leadership and service (Romans 16:1-2).

·         Teachers and mentors – Women instructed others in Scripture and helped shape early church leaders.

o    Priscilla: Taught Apollos, an influential preacher, explaining God’s way accurately (Acts 18:26).

o    Philip’s daughters: their prophetic gifts were significant and they became spiritual leaders in the early church.

o    Huldah: a prophetess consulted by King Josiah to authenticate the scroll and confirmed that the prophets’ warning about God’s wrath was genuine.

·         Business and societal leaders – Women managed resources, built communities, and influenced society.

o    Sheerah: Built cities in Israel (1 Chronicles 7:24).

o    Proverbs 31 woman: Managed trade, commerce, and household resources with wisdom and skill (Proverbs 31:10-31).

o    Lydia: a wealthy business woman who sold purple goods, as a leader, she offered her home as the key meeting place for the early church in Philippi.

·         Courageous political or civic leaders – Women influenced nations and made critical decisions in society.

o    Esther: Risked her life to save her people and influenced the king to enact justice (Esther 4–5).

o    Deborah: Prophetess and judge of Israel who led the nation into victory in battle, demonstrating spiritual and political courage (Judges 4–5).

o    Abigail: saved her household from David’s rath (1 Samual:25)

These examples demonstrate that God has always empowered women to lead in ministry, business, society, teaching, and evangelism. The cultural idea that women are inferior is contrary to the biblical witness and Christlikeness, which shows women actively shaping God’s work in the world.

Kingdom Leadership vs. Worldly Leadership

The world teaches that only one person can lead—and that leadership means being in charge. But Jesus revealed a Kingdom model that completely transforms this thinking.

In God’s Kingdom, all who obey Him are called to lead. Scripture says, “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you will be above only and never beneath” (Deuteronomy 28:13). Leadership in the Kingdom is not about ruling over others but about walking in obedience to King Jesus and sharing His spiritual authority together (Luke 10:19).

We share leadership according to our spiritual gifts, strengths, and anointing. Where one is weak, the other is strong—not in physical strength, but in spiritual grace and gifting. God’s Kingdom operates on spiritual power, not physical hierarchy.

We are one body with Jesus as the only Head. Every believer, male and female, is connected to Him as the Source of wisdom, direction, and authority. No one stands above another in value or position, for we are all members of the same body working together for His purpose.

In true Kingdom order, leadership is shared through unity, humility, and mutual submission—not gender or position. Leadership has nothing to do with biology. The world sees leadership as competition; the Kingdom sees it as collaboration under Christ.

Misunderstood Terms: “Head” (Kephale)

Many traditions cite 1 Corinthians 11:3 or Ephesians 5:23, claiming that the man is the “head” (Greek: kephale) of the woman—often interpreted to mean authority or rulership. However, this interpretation is both linguistically and historically inaccurate.

• Kephale in biblical context does not mean authoritarian ruler or superior leader. Linguistic and historical studies show it more often refers to “source” or “origin,” not domination.

• The idea of hierarchical authority over women came from pagan Greek and Roman culture, not from God’s Word. Philosophers like Aristotle and Plato taught male superiority to justify patriarchy—a worldview that later infiltrated early church traditions.

• Jesus’ teachings and the biblical witness reveal the opposite: God’s design is mutual honor, shared authority, and co-leadership. Men and women are equal in God’s eyes, called to serve side by side in marriage, ministry, and leadership. No one I above the other.

  
  

Leadership inside the Body of Christ points to servanthood, source, and unity—not hierarchy or control. Jesus alone is the Head of the Church, and every believer—male or female—is equally dependent on Him. He get first place in all things (Col. 1:18)

Pride, Arrogance, and Biblical Equality

Pride and arrogance are attitudes of superiority—a belief that one person is more valuable or important than another. Scripture repeatedly warns against these attitudes:

• “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

• “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

• “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” (Proverbs 8:13)

  
  

When God declares His hatred for pride and arrogance, He is rejecting the mindset that places anyone above another. The very idea of inferiority—being lesser in quality, status, or importance—contradicts His nature.

What does it say about God if we claim He created inferiority? Would that not imply imperfection in His design? Are there inferior beings in Heaven? Can a perfect, loving God create someone of lesser quality? That sounds more like the devil’s playbook than the work of a perfect Creator.

A perfect God cannot create inferiority. Women are not inherently less than men, and no human hierarchy can determine value, authority, or worth. God made all people in His image—equally endowed with spiritual gifts, callings, and dignity.  God looks at our humble heart and character to help advance His Kingdom, not our body parts.

Marriage as Co-Leadership

In marriage, Jesus’ vision still applies:

• Decisions are shared, not dictated by one spouse.

• Spiritual leadership is collaborative, reflecting both partners’ gifts.

• Women are respected as equals in emotional, financial, ministry, and family life.

• Love, service, and mutual accountability—not control or hierarchy—form the foundation.

  
  

When both husband and wife follow Christ in unity, they model the co-leadership God designed from the beginning—dominion and stewardship together over creation. Those who are confident and humble have no problems letting others, including their wife, lead according to their spiritual gifts, strengths, knowledge, and anointing.

Conclusion

The notion of women’s inferiority did not originate with God. It came from cultural and philosophical distortions that shaped centuries of societal and marital norms. Jesus, however, revealed God’s radical, redemptive design: women are full participants in ministry, leadership, marriage, and community life.

To call women inferior is, in effect, to accuse God of being imperfect or unjust in His creation. Yet the truth is this: God made both male and female equally in His image, each with unique gifts, callings, and authority to partner in advancing His Kingdom—and to stand united against evil, not to partner with it.

Embracing Jesus’ example means rejecting pagan hierarchies, pride, and arrogance, and choosing to live in mutual honor, equality, and co-leadership—in ministry, in marriage, and in every area of life.

To learn more about how God’s spiritual Kingdom functions on earth as it is in Heaven, get my book Life in God’s Kingdom, How to Manifest Heaven on Earth. – Mighty4Jesus.com

Be free to be mighty for Jesus.

In freedom and might,

Jeannette