Kvinnor, underordna er era män! En studie om hustrun i Efesierbrevets hustavla

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the exhortations in Eph 5:21–24 and 33 with focus on the prescribed behaviour for the woman. By applying exegetical methods this paper will evaluate the authors purpose in the ephesian household tablet with attention to the woman. Incorporating textual and social-historical aspects of Eph 5:21–24 and 33 show that the author both acknowledges and challenges the social conventions of the time. The wives are to submit and fear their husbands. The circumstances for the wife submission is however built on social conventions and the text does not indicate a universal hierarchal marriage structure.