The Bible teaches that men and women possess equal value and dignity as image-bearers of God, yet Christians disagree on how this applies to roles in the home and church. Complementarians believe God designed men and women with distinct, complementary roles, specifically reserving primary leadership for men. Egalitarians argue that the gospel removes role distinctions based on gender, allowing women to serve in any leadership capacity. Both views seek to honor Scripture, but they interpret specific key passages differently.
The Foundation of Equality in Creation
Any discussion regarding gender roles must begin with the book of Genesis. Both complementarians and egalitarians agree that God created men and women with absolute ontological equality. Neither gender is superior to the other in essence, worth, or standing before God. Genesis 1:27 establishes that “God created human beings in his own image,” and this status applies equally to both sexes. Because both reflect the character of God, they share the same mandate to rule over the earth and steward its resources.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
Egalitarians emphasize this original equality as the blueprint for all human relationships. They argue that any hierarchy between the sexes resulted from the Fall, not from God’s original “very good” design. In this view, the redemptive work of Jesus Christ aims to restore this pre-fall equality. Complementarians, however, point to the order of creation in Genesis 2. They observe that God created Adam first and then created Eve specifically as a “helper” for him. To a complementarian, this sequence suggests a functional order where the man leads and the woman supports, even before sin entered the world.
Understanding the Complementarian Perspective
Complementarianism is the view that God created men and women to “complement” one another through different roles. This perspective asserts that while men and women are spiritual equals, God has assigned the responsibility of sacrificial leadership to men in both the family and the local church. This is not about male dominance or female inferiority; rather, it is about a divinely ordained structure intended for human flourishing. Proponents of this view often look to the relationship within the Trinity as a model, where the Son is equal to the Father in essence but submits to the Father’s leadership in function.
“For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.” (Ephesians 5:23)
In the home, complementarians believe the husband should exercise “servant leadership,” modeling his headship after the self-sacrificial love of Jesus. In the church, this view typically restricts the office of elder or lead pastor to qualified men. They base this on Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy 2 and 3, where he references the creation order as the reason for his restrictions on women teaching or exercising authority over men. For complementarians, following these distinctions is an act of obedience to the clear commands of the New Testament.
Understanding the Egalitarian Perspective
Egalitarianism, often called “biblical equality,” argues that the Bible does not mandate a permanent hierarchy based on gender. Instead, this view suggests that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts without regard to sex. Egalitarians believe that if God calls and equips a woman to preach, lead, or oversee, the church should recognize and support that calling. They often view complementarian restrictions as “cultural” instructions specific to the ancient world rather than universal commands for all time.
“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Egalitarians frequently point to the prominent roles women played in the early church. They highlight Deborah as a judge over Israel, Phoebe as a deacon, and Junia as an apostle. They argue that Galatians 3:28 serves as the “Magna Carta” of the new covenant, effectively ending distinctions that previously limited a person’s service based on their background or gender. From this perspective, “mutual submission” is the primary command for Christian relationships. They interpret “headship” in the New Testament not as “authority” or “boss,” but as “source” or “nurturer.”
Navigating the Difficult Passages
The debate often centers on how to interpret “problematic” verses that seem to favor one side or the other. For example, in 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul writes, “I do not let women teach men or have authority over them.” Complementarians see this as a timeless rule rooted in creation. Egalitarians, however, often argue that Paul was addressing a specific local issue in Ephesus where uneducated women were spreading false doctrine. They suggest Paul’s “prohibition” was a temporary measure to maintain order in that specific congregation.
“I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Listen quietly.” (1 Timothy 2:12)
Similarly, when Paul tells wives to “submit to your husbands” in Ephesians 5, egalitarians emphasize the preceding verse which tells all Christians to “submit to one another.” They argue that the husband’s leadership is a specific cultural application of a broader principle of mutual love. Complementarians respond by noting that while submission is mutual in spirit, the specific roles defined in the following verses are not interchangeable. They argue that the Bible never commands husbands to submit to their wives in the same way wives are called to submit to their husbands.
The Takeaway
The choice between the complementarian and egalitarian views ultimately depends on how one interprets the relationship between creation, the Fall, and the New Covenant. Complementarians believe that distinct roles are a part of God’s beautiful, pre-fall design that reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church. Egalitarians believe that the gospel restores the original equality of the Garden, removing gender-based barriers to leadership and ministry. Regardless of which position a believer holds, both views agree that men and women are of equal value and must treat one another with the honor, respect, and love that Christ has shown to us.
