“Women […] must be in submission, as the Law says” (1 Corinthians 14:34)
Critique of feminist reading of Ephesians 5:21-33
Anna Rambiert-Kwaśniewska
Papieski Wydział Teologiczny we WrocławiuAbstract
The aim of the presented text is to question the feminist re-interpretation of Ef 5,21-33, the so-called Christian Haustafeln („household codes”). It is one of the texts by St Paul, on the basis of which the Apostle is being accused of misogynism. In particular parts of the article, we have tried to rebut these accusations, and at the same time highlight pro-female aspects of his activity. The Apostle was presented as a modern leader of his times who fights with the low status of the women, and even appoints women as his collaborators during his missionary journeys. The aims were reached on the basis of examining the structure of the fragment and analysing the meaning of two Greek words: avgapa,w and u`pota,ssw. Furthermore, the pericope was interpreted in its social and cultural context of late-Hellenic and early-Roman era, depicted by epigraphic, papyrologic and literary examples of strong women emancipation, reflected in greater freedom in the eyes of the law, getting married for love and weakening the patriarchal family model.
