Paul was in favor of equality within marriage
Many people blame Paul for the sexism and gender discrimination that is present today in most areas of the world, especially throughout Christian society. Often individual sections of 1 Corinthians are referred to out of context to support arguments for the need of hierarchy within the Christian church, and that women are to serve men and in doing so serve Christ1. After thorough reading and analysis of 1 Corinthians, it is clear that Paul stressed that all believers should be united in Jesus, regardless of race, class, and gender. Paul’s teachings of the roles and rights within marriage explicitly used gender inclusive rhetoric, stressing the importance of equality between husband and wife. The sense of mutuality in married life that he invoked in his letter to the Corinthians is exceptional for a man of his time and culture2.
Paul founded the church in Corinth in approximately 50 C.E.. Corinth was a recently re-established city with newly acquired wealth from the canal created to make the Mediterranean Sea trade easier3. The canal made Corinth into a great commercial center. Luxuries from all over the world were available, and the vices of the world were found there. The city became known for its poor morals and ethics. Enticed by the prospects of economic growth a variety of nationalities settled in Corinth, it had a great diversity of people including Jews, and Gentiles. The influx of people from different backgrounds and economic levels lead to many different interpretations and disputes over what Paul preached4. Between the time Paul established the church in Corinth and when he wrote 1 Corinthians, he sent Timothy there to remind them of his teachings and provide them with instructions: “For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” (1 Cor 4:17)5. However, the Corinthians...