To understand the Bible’s perspective on misogyny (the dislike, contempt for or devaluing of women) and chauvinism (the belief that men are inherently superior to women and therefore entitled to dominance), we have to look past the brokenness of our current world and see the “big picture” of God’s plan—from the perfection of Eden to the restoration that is coming. Scripture shows that the inequality and power struggles we see today were never part of God’s original design; they are the tragic fallout of sin.

In the beginning, God created woman as an ezer—a “helper” of equal strength (Genesis 2:18). The Hebrew word ezer is used of God Himself as Israel’s helper, showing that Eve was not created as a subordinate but as a partner, equal in value and complementary in role. Eden held no hierarchy, no dominance, no misogyny—only unity and mutual honor.

Everything changed after sin entered the world. In Genesis 3:16, God describes the consequences of the fall: “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”  This “ruling over” was not God’s design, but a sorrowful description of how sin would distort the relationship between men and women. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4910 (mashal) means “to rule, have dominion, to cause to rule” — a word that reflects domination, not partnership. This is the root of misogyny and chauvinism: the misuse of strength, authority and position in a fallen world. These attitudes are the result of the curse and not God’s will.

The Old Testament reflects this cursed reality. Laws such as Numbers 30 show women’s vows being subject to a father or husband—not because women were less capable, but because sin had disrupted the original balance. Yet even within that broken system, God raised up women like Miriam and Deborah as prophets and leaders, proving that spiritual authority was never tied to gender alone.

Jesus respected God’s penalty for sin yet worked within it to the extent he could. He treated women as intellectual and spiritual equals, taught them, defended them and welcomed them into His ministry (Luke 8:1–3; John 4:7–10). Women around him were given privileges the men did not receive, such as being the first to see him as a resurrected spirit being. He lifted their dignity within a culture that often diminished them. 

The early church continued this pattern: women like Priscilla, Phoebe, Euodia and Syntyche labored side by side with men in spreading the Gospel (Acts 18:24–26; Romans 16:1–2; Philippians 4:1–3).

Yet the curse was still in effect, which is why certain roles—such as authoritative teaching in the assembly—remained symbolically tied to the husband–wife picture of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22–24). Even then, men were commanded to lead with agape—selfless, sacrificial love that elevates and protects, never dominates or diminishes.

The New Testament points us toward the future restoration: “There is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) In the coming kingdom, the curse will be lifted, and the original harmony of Eden will be restored. Misogyny and chauvinism will have no place in God’s renewed creation.

To summarize:

  • Misogyny and chauvinism are not biblical ideals but symptoms of the curse.
  • God’s original design was equality, partnership and mutual honor.
  • Jesus modeled and initiated treating women with respect.
  • The kingdom will be a time of restoration and rehabilitation for all, ending domination and restoring Eden’s balance.

The Bible does not endorse misogyny or chauvinism. It exposes their roots as part of the overall broad lesson of why God permit evil for a time, as we look forward to God’s plan to permanently heal what sin has broken.

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1032: “Is the Bible Behind the Times on #MeToo?”
Biblical perspective on the treatment of women in light of the #metoo movement
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CQ Rewind Show Notes