Does the Bible say women are lesser than men?

 

Does the Bible say women are lesser than men? It is a very controversial topic and it's essence can often be lost amidst toxic masculinity and pseudo feminism. People tend to think that the Bible portrays a picture where women are lesser than men, especially in a marriage.

 The verse usually quoted for this is 1 Peter 3:7, where a woman is referred to as a 'weaker vessel'. Two things are failed to be noticed here. One, people don't consider the whole verse - the few words before 'weaker vessel' are literally '...giving honour unto the wife...", so it does not give a husband or a man to mistreat his wife or a woman respectively. Two, weaker does not necessarily mean lesser. It shows the physical ability in which man and women were created, and it could also refer to Eve when she gave into temptation first. 

Even when it comes to physical ability, one can't say one is better and stronger than the other, be it a man or a woman. Biologically speaking, women have a lot of pain receptors and high pain endurance than men. In other words, even a small pain for a man can be very sharp for a woman. Whereas long term pain like menstrual cramps and labour pain, can be handled by women better. 

When men are not given the right to mistreat women, it goes likewise in the case of women as well. Yes, a wife is asked to submit to her husband. Now submission doesn't go to show being a slave. 

As Matthew Henry, explains, "Women were created from the rib of man to be beside him, not from his head to top him, nor from his feet to be trampled by him, but from under his arm to be protected by him, near to his heart to be loved by him..." 

Moreover we read in Galatians 3:28 of the Bible,

 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is *neither male nor female*: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

This can be taken for any matter, not just among men and women. Be it a friendship or marriage, generally, mutual respect, and consideration for the other is needed from both sides. 

Equality is different from equity, which is something one needs to remember. We have different roles and abilities however it does not mean anyone is less valuable. We humans are codependent beings and respecting one another, being affectionate and empathetic leads to a better and peaceful society, no matter what  situation it may be.