Was Paul a Chauvinist?

Many people (mostly women) reading 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 conclude that Paul is a chauvinistic pig. But nothing could be further from the truth! Paul is clear that men and women are equal and is only stating the biblical truth that though they are equal, they have different God appointed functions in the home. Equality of the sexes is what Paul is getting at 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 where he writes, “Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.”

There are three basic teams you can be on in regards to the roles of men and women. Let me briefly describe each one:

1. The Feminist Team: This team says men are stupid. 

2. The Chauvinist Team: This team says women are stupid. 

3. The Biblical Team: This team says men and women compliment each other. 

In 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 Paul is clearly identifying himself with the Biblical Team. Anytime you're tempted to falsely accuse Paul of chauvinism just re-read Galatians 3:28 where Paul wrote "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." That is, Paul believed in the equality of women. Paul understood that both men and women were created in the image of God and that as equal image bearers each possessed immense value. Paul never argues anywhere that men are superior to women, only that men and women have different God ordained functions in the home. And in that regard, he is absolutely correct. 

Husbands, at times you will be tempted to act as if you are superior to your wife. Wives, at times you will be tempted to act as if you are superior to your husband. Here's something good for both husbands and wives to keep in mind. God made woman out of man’s rib. She is not to be out in front of the man (feminism), nor back behind the man (chauvinism), rather right by his side (from where she came) as his equal in every way. Here's another way to think of it...God made woman out of man’s rib. She wasn’t made from the foot (chauvinism) neither was she made from the head (feminism), rather right from his side. 

The biblical view is that men and women are equal but have different God-given assignments in the home. This is what Paul taught, and if we want to avoid unnecessary conflict in the home, what we ought to live by.