I. Counsel to women
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes
holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good
things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their
husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at
home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not
blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head
uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were
shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if
it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 1 Corinthians 11:5-6
Let us instruct our young men in the lesson of the fear of God.
Let us guide our women toward that which is good: let them show forth
their lovely disposition of purity; let them prove their sincere
affection of gentleness; let them make manifest the moderation of their
tongue through their silence; let them show their love, not in factious
preferences, but without partiality towards all them that fear God, in
holiness. Clement of Rome (A.D. 96) ch.21
Let us teach ourselves first to walk in the
commandment of the Lord; and then our wives also, to walk in the faith that has been given
unto them and in love and purity, cherishing their own husbands in
all truth and loving all men equally in all chastity, and to train
their children in the training of the fear of God. Polycarp (A.D. 69-156) ch.4
Tell my sisters to love the Lord and to
be content with their husbands in flesh and in spirit.
In like manner also
charge my brothers in the name of
Jesus Christ to love their wives, “as the Lord loved
the Church.” Ignatius: to Polycarp (A.D. 35-105) ch.5
But make these words known to all your children, and to your
wife who shall be as your sister; for she too refrains not from using
her tongue.
Hermas (A.D. 150) ch.11
Nor are women to be deprived of bodily exercise. But they are
not to be encouraged to engage in wrestling or running, but are to
exercise themselves in spinning, and weaving, and superintending the
cooking if necessary. And they are, with their own hand, to fetch from
the store what we require. And it is no disgrace for them to apply
themselves to the mill. Nor is it a reproach to a wife - housekeeper and
helpmeet - to occupy herself in cooking, so that it may be palatable to
her husband.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.283
Not to deck and adorn herself beyond what is becoming, renders a
wife free of calumnious suspicion. while she
devotes herself assiduously (=with care and persistence; )
to prayers and supplications; avoiding frequent departures from the
house, and shutting herself up as far as possible from the view of all
not related to her, and deeming housekeeping of more consequence than
impertinent trifling.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.379
We do not say that woman's nature is the same as man's, as she is
woman.
For undoubtedly it stands to reason that some difference should
exist between each of them, in virtue of which one is male and the other
female. Pregnancy and parturition, accordingly, we say belong to woman,
as she is woman, and not as she is a human being. But
if there were no
difference between man and woman, both would do and suffer the same
things. As then there is sameness, as far as respects the soul, she will
attain to the same virtue; but as there is difference as respects the
peculiar construction of the body, she is destined for child-bearing and
housekeeping. "For I would have you know," says the apostle, "that the
head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man: for
the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man. For neither is
the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord."
For as we say that the man ought to be continent, and superior to
pleasures.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.420
Christ is the Head of the Christian man - (for his head) is as
free as even Christ is, under no obligation to wear a covering, not to
say a crown. But even the head which is bound to have the veil, I mean
woman's, as already taken possession of by this very thing, is not open
also to a crown. She has the burden of her own humility to bear…
Therefore a woman, taking counsel from the apostles' foresight, will not
too elaborately adorn herself, that she may not either be crowned with
any exquisite arrangement of her hair.
Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 102
"You are bound to please your husbands only." But you will please
them in proportion as you take no care to please others.
Be you without
carefulness, blessed (sisters): no wife is "ugly" to her own husband.
She "pleased" him enough when she was selected (by him as his wife).
Every husband is the exactor of chastity;
but beauty, a believing
(husband) does not require,
because we are not captivated by the same
graces which the Gentiles think (to be) graces: an unbelieving one, on
the other hand, even regards with suspicion. Why are you eager to please
either one who is suspicious, or else one who desires it not?
Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg.20
II. Examples of godly women
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive
seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she
judged him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a
performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary
said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God
my Savior. Luke 1:45-47
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who
trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own
husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose
daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any
amazement. 1 Peter 3:5-6
Through envy, those women, the
*Danaids and Dircae, being
persecuted, after they had suffered terrible and unspeakable torments,
finished the course of their faith with steadfastness, and though weak
in body, received a noble reward.
Clement of Rome (A.D. 96) ch.6 *( these are the names of the two women who were persecuted.)
Many women, also, being strengthened by the grace of God, have
performed numerous manly exploits. The blessed Judith, when her city was
besieged, asked the elders for permission to go forth into the camp of
the strangers, …and the Lord delivered Holofernes into the hands of a
woman. Esther also, being perfect in faith, exposed herself to no less
danger, in order to deliver the twelve tribes of Israel from impending
destruction.
Clement of Rome (A.D. 96) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 1 pg.20
[I speak of] Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who is laid to
rest at Hierapolis. I speak also of his two daughters, who arrived at
old age unmarried. His other daughter also, who passed her life under
the influence of the Holy Spirit, lies at Ephesus.
Polycrates (A.D. 2nd cent.) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 8 pg.773
It is related in the Gospels that there were certain women who
had been healed of their diseases. Among these was Susanna.
From their
own possessions, these women provided the disciples the means of
support. Origen (A.D. 240) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 426
For such was the charm of Jesus’ words, that not only were men
willing to follow him to the wilderness,
but women also, forgetting the
weakness of their sex and a regard for the outward propriety in so
following their Teacher into desert places. Origen (A.D. 240) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 468
There are blessed women, too, who are established with you in
the same glory of confession. For they have maintained the Lord’s faith
and are braver than their sex. Not only are they near to the crown of
glory themselves, but they have provided an example to other women by
their constancy. Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg.407
III. The woman’s role in the church
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not
permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under
obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let
them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in
the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto
you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let
him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the
commandments of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:34-37
You instructed your wives to do all things with a blameless,
becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty bound;
and you taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they should
manage their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect
marked by discretion. Clement of Rome (A.D. 96) ch. 1
The wise woman, then, will first choose to persuade her husband
to be her associate in what is conducive to happiness. And should that
be found impracticable,
let her by herself earnestly aim at virtue,
gaining her husband's consent in everything, so as never to do anything
against his will, with exception of what is reckoned as contributing to
virtue and salvation. But if one keeps from such a mode of life either
wife or maid-servant, whose heart is set on it; what such a person in
that case plainly does is nothing else than determine to drive her away
from righteousness and sobriety, and to choose to make his own house
wicked and licentious.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.432
Accordingly he says in a letter: "Have we not a right to take
about with us a wife that is a sister like the other apostles?" But the
latter, in accordance with their particular ministry, devoted
themselves to preaching without any distraction, and took their wives
with them not as women with whom they had marriage relations, but as
sisters, that they might be their fellow-ministers in dealing with
housewives. It was through them that the Lord's teaching penetrated also
the women's quarters without any scandal being aroused. We also know
the directions about women deacons which are given by the noble Paul in
his second letter to Timothy.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Miscellanies, book III ch. 6
It is not permitted to a woman to speak in the church; but
neither (is it permitted her) to teach, nor to baptize, nor to offer,
nor to claim to herself a lot in any manly function, not to say (in any)
sacerdotal office. Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg.33
(Women) - that is, married women - are at length elected, but
"mothers" to boot, yes, and "educators of children;" in order, forsooth,
that their experimental training in all the affections may, on the one
hand, have rendered them capable of readily aiding all others with
counsel and comfort, and that, on the other, they may none the less have
travelled down the whole course of probation whereby a female can he
tested.
Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg.33
In the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: “Let women be
silent in the church. But if any wish to learn anything, let them ask
their husbands at home.” Also to Timothy: “Let a woman learn with
silence, in all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to be
set over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then
Eve; and Adam was not seduced, but the woman was seduced.”
Cyprian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg. 546
IV. The woman’s role in heretic and pagan religions
Teach Minerva and Diana the works of women, and Bacchus the works
of men. What seemliness is there in a woman's girding herself with
armor, or in a man's decorating himself with cymbals, and garlands, and
female attire, and accompanied by a herd of bacchanalian women?
Justin Martyr (A.D. 160) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg.271-272
It appears probable enough that this man possesses a demon as
his familiar spirit, by means of whom he seems able to prophesy, and
also enables as many as he counts worthy to be partakers of his Charis
themselves to prophesy. He devotes himself especially to women, and
those such as are well-bred, and elegantly attired, and of great wealth,
whom he frequently seeks to draw after him, by addressing them in such
seductive words… On the woman replying, "I have never at any time
prophesied, nor do I know how to prophesy;" then engaging, for the
second time, in certain invocations, so as to astound his deluded
victim, he says to her, "Open your mouth, speak whatsoever occurs to
you, and you shall prophesy." She then, vainly puffed up and elated by
these words, and greatly excited in soul by the expectation that it is
herself who is to prophesy, her heart beating violently [from emotion],
reaches the requisite pitch of audacity, and idly as well as impudently
utters some nonsense as it happens to occur to her, such as might be
expected from one heated by an empty spirit. (Referring to this, one
superior to me has observed, that the soul is both audacious and
impudent when heated with empty air.) Henceforth she reckons herself a
prophetess, and expresses her thanks to Marcus for having imparted to
her of his own Chaffs. She then makes the effort to reward him, not only
by the gift of her possessions (in which way he has collected a very
large fortune), but also by yielding up to him her person, desiring in
every way to be united to him, that she may become altogether one with
him.
Irenaeus (A.D. 180) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg. 334-335
For we do not train our women like Amazons to manliness in war;
since we wish the men even to be peaceable. I hear that the Sarmatian
women practice war no less than the men; and the women of the Sacae
besides, who shoot backwards, feigning flight as well as the men. I am
aware, too, that the women near Iberia practice manly work and toil, not
refraining from their tasks even though near their delivery; but even
in the very struggle of her pains, the woman, on being delivered, taking
up the infant, carries it home.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.420
Another woman, the maiden Philumene (whom we have already
mentioned), who herself afterwards became an enormous prostitute. Having
been imposed on by her vigorous spirit, he committed to writing the
revelations which he had learned of her.
Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 257
I must not omit an account of the conduct also of the heretics -
how frivolous it is, how worldly, how merely human, without
seriousness, without authority, without discipline, as suits their
creed… The very women of these heretics, how wanton they are! For they
are bold enough to teach, to dispute, to enact exorcisms, to undertake
cures - it may be even to baptize.
Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 263
The consequence is, that a viper of the Cainite heresy, lately
conversant in this quarter, has carried away a great number with her
most venomous doctrine, making it her first aim to destroy baptism… so
that most monstrous creature, who had no right to teach even sound
doctrine, knew full well how to kill the little fishes, by taking them
away from the water!
Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg. 669
But the woman of pertness, who has usurped the power to teach,
will of course not give birth for herself likewise to a right of
baptizing, unless some new beast shall arise like the former; so that,
just as the one abolished baptism, so some other should in her own right
confer it! But if the writings which wrongly go under Paul's name,
claim Thecla's example as a licence for women's teaching and baptizing,
let them know that, in Asia, the presbyter who composed that writing, as
if he were augmenting Paul's fame from his own store, after being
convicted, and confessing that he had done it from love of Paul, was
removed from his office. For how credible would it seem,
that he who has
not permitted a woman even to learn with over-boldness, should give a
female the power of teaching and of baptizing! "Let them be silent," he
says, "and at home consult their own husbands."
Tertullian (A.D. 198) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.3 pg.677
There is one place where a man may not go, and there are some
that are sacred from women: it is a crime needing atonement for a slave
even to be present at some ceremonies. Some sacred places are crowned by
a woman having one husband, some by a woman with many; and she who can
reckon up most adulteries is sought after with most religious zeal.
Minucius Felix (A.D. 200) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 187
He, that is, Jupiter… has rejected the male sex, and, as Celsus observes, employs the women of Dodona for the prophetic office.
Origen (A.D. 248) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.4 pg. 613
There arose among us on a sudden a certain woman, who in a state
of ecstasy announced herself as a prophetess, and acted as if filled
with the Holy Ghost. And she was so moved by the impetus of the
principal demons, that for a long time she made anxious and deceived the
brotherhood, accomplishing certain wonderful and portentous things, and
promised that she would cause the earth to be shaken… Here also she
deceived one of the presbyters, a countryman, and another, a deacon, so
that they had intercourse with that same woman, which was shortly
afterwards detected. For on a sudden there appeared unto her one of the
exorcists, a man approved and always of good conversation in respect of
religious discipline… Yet that exorcist, inspired by God’s grace,
bravely resisted, and showed that that which was before thought holy,
was indeed a most wicked spirit. But that woman, who previously by wiles
and deceitfulness of the demon was attempting many things for the
deceiving of the faithful, among other things by which she had deceived
many, also had frequently dared this; to pretend that with an invocation
not to be contemned she sanctified bread and celebrated, the Eucharist,
and to offer sacrifice to the Lord, not without the sacrament of the
accustomed utterance; and also to baptize many, making use of the usual
and lawful words of interrogation, that nothing might seem to be
different from the ecclesiastical rule. What, then, shall we say about
the baptism of this woman, by which a most wicked demon baptized through
means of a woman? Can it be believed that either remission of sins was
given, or the regeneration of the saving laver duly completed, when all
things, although after the image of truth, yet were done by a demon?
Fermilian (A.D. 250) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.5 pg. 393
