EPISODE 150: WOMEN OF THE BIBLE (Be Fruitful, Part 3)

FAITHFULNESS:

The faithful women at the cross (faithful to God):

“There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.” (Matthew 27:55–56)
There were more women at the cross during the entire crucifixion than men.
Whatever the case may be, it is plain that the women who followed Jesus were those who were most faithful to Him. Their loyal love was rewarded when they were the first to hear of Christ’s resurrection (28:1–10).
A note – When Jesus was arrested and all the disciples forsook Him (Mark 14:50), it does not appear that the ladies did this (Luke 23:49, 55-56, Mark 15:40-41). Let us be like these ladies and never forsake our Lord!

Faithful to Paul (faithful to man):

The apostle Paul, for one, was appreciative of the ministry performed by some women in particular—just as Christian overseers today value the ministry performed by zealous women.
Among the women Paul mentioned by name were “Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women who are working hard in the Lord,” and “Persis our beloved one, for she performed many labors in the Lord.” (Romans 16:12)
Euodia and Syntyche, wrote Paul, had “striven side by side with [him] in the good news.” (Philippians 4:2, 3)
Priscilla, along with her husband, Aquila, also served alongside Paul. She and Aquila, even “risked their own necks” for Paul, moving him to write: “Not only I but also all the congregations of the nations render thanks.” (Romans 16:3, 4; Acts 18:2)

Lois & Eunice

In his letter to Timothy, Paul gives an extraordinary compliment to this mother-daughter (or in-law) duo: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5)
Paul was telling Timothy that he was thankful for the young man and that he saw great character in who Timothy would become. The book talks often about the things Timothy had been taught, or the things he had learned.
Certainly Paul was talking about the things that Timothy learned from Paul, but it can also be assumed that Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice taught Timothy many things about the Bible as they seemed to be diligent students of God’s Word as well.

GENTLENESS:

“It is better by silence to yield to our brother, who is, or has been, or may be, our friend, than by angry speaking to yield to the devil, who has been, and is, and ever will be , our sworn enemy.” (Matthew Henry)
“If God should be as angry with me for every provocation as I am with those about me, what would become of me?” (Matthew Henry)
When searching for the gentle or meek examples, Jesus is the one name that kept popping up.
When searching for women specifically, courageous, fearless, strong articles popped up. Which supports the notion that gentle and meek do not mean weak. It is rather a sign of quiet courage, self-control, and so forth.
A description of Jesus and women were the things that came up specifically when searching gentle although the Bible verses certainly are co-gender about gentle answers and such. But it is women that refers to gentleness being beautiful.

SELF-CONTROL:

In the book of Proverbs, Wisdom is called a woman, and she is the very epitome of self-control. She is highlighted in chapters 1-5.
And these five chapters outline, verse by verse, the blessing that comes from following Wisdom and the curse that comes from choosing not to. Ignoring Wisdom leads to acts that very much resemble what a lack of self-control looks like:
- A deceitful mouth
- Perverse lips
- Looking to the right or left
- Being scornful
- Feeling shame
- Walking in the way of darkness
- Rejoicing to do evil
- Delighting in perversity
- Participating in immorality
- Eating the bread of wickedness
- Drinking the wine of violence

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