4. Family Jurisdiction, Not Chauvinism

Some people have thought that the Bible is chauvinistic because in both Testaments God almost always addressed the men, but this is not chauvinism. It is a protection of the integrity of the covenantal family unit. The church is a republic with a form of government (the church) that is made up of subordinate governments (families). This republic has separation of powers, enumerated powers, limited powers, and delegated powers. It may not overstep the jurisdictional rights of the family.

The family continues to be its own unique government even when it joins the church. Thus, the preachers of the New Testament address the heads of households because the church is made up of subordinate governments, and it makes sense to address the federal heads of those governments. Thus, in the book of Acts we find the apostles addressing “men and brethren” (Acts 1:16), “men of Judea” (Acts 2:14), “men of Israel” (Acts 2:22), “men and brethren” (Acts 2:29), “men of Israel” (Acts 3:12), etc. despite the fact that women were present. It is an issue of federal representation. Thus, the church counted membership by heads of households: “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand” (Acts 4:4). This was true despite the fact that both men and women were being saved and were being baptized.

Why count only the men? Because the church is not made up of individuals. It is made up of subordinate governmental units— families. These family governments are represented by one unified voice: the voice of the father/husband. 1 Corinthians 14:35 has nothing to do with chauvinism and has everything to do with the fact that the man is the family’s representative in church.