The Apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul mainly covered the factors for abolishing slavery as well as protecting women’s rights in his teachings. Apostle Paul tells Philemon that he should consider Onesimus as a brother rather than considering as a servant, as Onesimus is like a son to Apostle Paul. He thereby tells Philemon to receive Onesimus on behalf of his love towards Apostle Paul. In this, Apostle Paul is indirectly telling us that he even considered his slave colleagues as his own brothers. Apostle Paul quoted that “In lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians, Chapter 2, versus 4,5). This is a wonderful saying made by him regarding the equality of human minds that in turn, abolishes slavery.
“The early Christian churches followed Jesus’ lead and gave women much higher status and more privileges than was common in the rest of the world. But Paul and other Christian leaders continued to affirm the principle of a husband’s family leadership and authority over his wife” (Rhoads, Lesson 21). Apostle Paul mentions both good and bad things to say about women with a forward approach towards women’s rights. But, Apostle Paul always describes that women are inferior to men. It’s mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:5 that “women were allowed to pray and prophesy”. “It’s also found that Apostle Paul has approved and encouraged many women who were prominent in the church activities at that time” (Rhoads, Lesson 21). This reveals Apostle Paul’s urge towards women’s rights.
Apostle Paul is of a conservative mind wishes that the women be silent with all subjection and would be always empowered by men. In his view, women have no command over men and they were considered inferior to men in all aspects.
In the first epistle of Paul to Timothy, it’s quoted that “In like manner also women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair or gold or pearls or costly array. But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (1 Timothy Chapter 2, Versus 9,10). According to Apostle Paul’s teachings, “wives should submit themselves unto their husbands, as unto the Lord Almighty” (Ephesians 5: 22).
Apostle Paul once known as Saul who had a consummate conversion from an unbeliever and brutal oppressor of Christianity to the one who recognizes Jesus Christ as his Lord. The event happened on his journey to Damascus making threatening Christian disciples. A light from heaven shined around him. “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul why persecute though me” (Acts, Chapter 9, verse 4). When Saul aroused, he couldn’t see anything and his sight was gone. The Lord made a vision to Ananias and sent him to Saul. Saul got sight when Ananias put his hands upon his head. The Saul aroused and went to the street as said by Lord to teach Christianity. Later he came to be known as Apostle Paul. This is the circumstance that made Apostle Paul being more concentrated on human rights.
Beyond all, new revolutions of religious commitments of Paul emphasized that he traveled around the world as a Christ missionary establishing churches and making followers all over the nations. Thus, Apostle Paul became the ideal Christian believer, leader, and teacher, and the writings accredited to him, which demonstrated an extensive portion of the New Testament. “Supporters of women’s rights argue that God did not decree the secondary status of women for all time; like slavery, it was primarily a concession to the realities of Biblical-era society. Today, many Christians believe women should enjoy all the same rights and privileges as men” (Rhoads, Lesson 21).
Reference List
Author, Rhoads. (1999). The Writings of the Apostle Paul, Lesson 21. Dallas.
The New Testament 1941. King James Version,1967 Edition. America. National Publishing Company.