M.A. / The emphasis of this study will be on the interpretation of the gender images and metaphors found in Ephesians. The use of metaphors in the ancient time and the influence thereof in the present-day interpretation of New Testament texts will be the main focus. The metaphor has been investigated in the theological, scientific and literary fields of study. Without becoming too involved in the arguments surrounding the use and meaning of metaphors, it is important to establish the relation between the metaphors used in Ephesians and the images of the ancient times. In the letter to the Ephesians two different bodies are being used as metaphors for the church, namely a male body in Ephesians 4:13 and a female body in Ephesians 5:27. The image of the body is being expressed through various body related metaphors in Ephesians. These metaphors are remarkable, because the church is being compared to the perfect male body of Christ, but also to the female body that should first be cleansed and sanctified before it can be presented to Christ as glorious without having a spot, wrinkle or blemish (Eph 5:26-27; Nortjé-Meyer 2003:735). It seems as if the ancient patriarchal and cultural view of the male and female bodies form the basis of the metaphors in Ephesians. The purpose of this study is to analyse, according to a feminist-critical reading, the metaphors of the body as well as other relevant metaphors in Ephesians that are used to portray the functioning of the church. The metaphors of Ephesians are being used within the context of the functioning of the church (male body) and the functioning of the household (female body). The cultural context of this letter portrays the male as the head of the female in the same way as Christ is portrayed as the head of the church. This view can no longer be maintained in a society where gender equality is a basic right. Traditional theological commentaries on Ephesians view these utterances of the author as authoritative and thus accept the male as the head of the female. The metaphor in Ephesians 1:20-23 that portrays Christ as the head of the body is related to the gender roles of Ephesians 5:22-33 by these commentaries. The conclusion is that the male should rule over the female in the same way that Christ rules his body, namely the church. The male is being portrayed as an exemplar of Christ and is therefore seen as the authoritative figure, the head and the ruler of his wife, children and servants. It is remarkable that these metaphors of Ephesians are still influencing the 21st century church. Women are still seen as the subordinates and the “others” lacking the authority of the man. The authoritative vii structures of today’s local churches are definitely still being influenced by the traditional interpretations of the gender images of Ephesians. The ancient Mediterranean society functioned according to a complex hierarchical structure that included patrons, clients, slaves as well as males, females and children. The principle of honour and shame formed the foundation of the social structure of this time. The male was responsible for the honour of his family and had to control the females and thus protect the family from shame. Status and class determined a person’s position in the ancient Mediterranean society. In the context of the New Testament texts the female’s identity was seen as inferior to the absolute dominance of the male. The early church was influenced by these cultural gender roles in the practice of their religion. Naturally the author too was influenced in the use of the metaphors portraying the image of the church. The interpretation of New Testament texts like Ephesians 5:22-33 cannot be done without considering the patriarchal culture of the ancient world and its influence on the authors and translators of the Bible. The interpretation of the Bible must be done in the context of the present day. The challenge of interpreting Ephesians is to understand the message without being blinded by the cultural patriarchal and hierarchical structures of the text. Different views are being held regarding the authorship or Ephesians. Divine authority was given to Ephesians due to the early church’s view that Paul was the author. Today, however, the authorship is being debated, and the more generally accepted view is that a follower of Paul wrote Ephesians. The patriarchal system that appointed the wife, child and slave as subordinate to the rule of the husband, father and master are being confirmed in Ephesians 5 and 6, while Paul abolished this hierarchical system in Galatians 3:28. These two chapters of Ephesians depict the author’s disapproval of female involvement in the community and especially in the religious activities, as was the case in Ephesus at the time. The author of Ephesians wanted to return to the traditional, patriarchal system and affirm the male as ruler over his household. He uses the strongest possible image to assist him in this purpose and compares the male to Christ as ruler and head of the church, thereby strengthening the male’s position of dominance. It seems as though Ephesians affirms the female’s position in the household, but at the same time excludes her from public responsibilities and leadership in the early church. This cultural, patriarchal image of the female is problematic and it is the purpose of this study to seek answers in this regard that are relevant for today’s church.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:6745 |
| Date | 01 April 2010 |
| Creators | Vrey, Aletta |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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