The book of Genesis chapter 2 tells a beautiful story of man and woman’s first encounter with one another. After God created man from dust on the ground and inhaled life into his nostrils, Adam took on the characteristics of a living soul. Then Adam was given his dos and don’ts. Then, after placing Adam into a deep sleep, the Lord God removed one of his ribs and sealed up the flesh inside. Then, the Lord God created a woman using the pulled rib and brought her to the man. This is how I imagined it happening after that. When Adam emerged from the sleep God put him in, he saw someone standing beside him, whom he recognized as a second self. He enthusiastically embraced her and remarked very poetically, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.” At that very previous, most romantic moment, I cannot imagine that either Adam or Eve wanted to do nothing more than love one another, to make the other happy, and to do to the other what put a smile on their faces. Adam must have thought that this gorgeous creature, there with him, was a part of himself and would serve as both his companion and the wife of his covenant. She shall be named woman, esha, a she-man, differing from man only in sex, not in nature; made of man, and connected to man. This term is common to her sex and serves as a sign of his acceptance of her. “And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” a helper that was suitable for him, opposite of him. The definition in the Strong’s interlinear bible concordance, states, help meet means, “in front of, in sight of, opposite to.” Since Father Adam was the first member of the human race to walk the world, Mother Eve was made to be a good mate for him. Eve arrived to Adam specially prepared to carry out her allotted tasks, to work as a companion with the first man in mortality—to be a partner with him. Eve was made in the likeness of her man, her husband, her “esh”. The majority of contemporary linguists agree that “esh” and “esha” are unrelated. Esha stems from the root, which means weak, and we know that 1 Peter 3:7, confirms that woman is the weaker vessel. While “esh” originates from the root, which indicates strength, the related term means “to strengthen”. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” I personally love the phrase, “that your prayers be not hindered,” talking to the man. However, whether strong or weak, is reference to the physical body. In this case, it means that women are not as physically strong as men by virtue of their physical design. Both men’s and women’s submission is imperative to a happy, healthy, blessed union. It is also crucial that the team, man and woman, are selfless in their love for one another. The husband and wife’s tasks and functions were given the same instructions in verse 21, SUBMIT. Moving forward to Paul’s discourse in Ephesians 5:21-33 attests to submission in marriage, provides a safeguard for abuse, and indicates collaborative for a victorious union.

In summarizing 1 Timothy 3:1-12 it says, men of God are expected to be blameless, the husbands of one wife, careful, sober, well-behaved, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Not a drunkard, a strikebreaker, or a hoarder of filthy money; rather, a patient person who is not violent or materialistic. one who controls his children strictly and runs his household well. However, their spouses must always be devoted, sober, and faithful, and they must not engage in gossip. In addition, their spouses must constantly be devoted, devout, sober, and silent. Women are directed to respect their husbands, his role, his responsibilities. Men are directed to love their wives, as it is impossible for a man who loves himself not to love his wife when he loves himself. At the same time, it is impossible for a woman who respects herself, not to respect her husband.