Biblical Guidance for Single Ladies?

[gigglygirly]

Just read this list on a blog -

Is fully trusted by her husband (Proverbs31:11)
Brings in food for the family (Proverbs 31:14)
Prepares meals for the family (Proverbs 31:15)
Gardens (Proverbs 31:16)
Is industrious (Proverbs 31:18-19)
Sees that her family is well clothed and ready for winter (Proverbs 31:21)
Speaks with wisdom and kindness (Proverbs 31:26)
Manages her home well (Proverbs 31:27, 1 timothy 5:14)
Goes to her husband to find answers (I Corinthians 14:35)
Is subject to her own husband in everything (Ephesians 5:24)
Dresses modestly, as to not cause others to stumble (1 Timothy 2:9)
Raises children (1 Timothy 5:10)
Teaches good things (Titus 2:3)
Loves her husband and children (Titus 2:4)
Is discreet, chaste, good (Titus 2:5)
Is a keeper at home (Titus 2:5)
Is obedient to her husband (Titus 2:5, Ephesians 5:22)
Whose behavior is chaste, pure, refined, undefiled (1 Peter 3:2)
Has a gentle and quiet spirit"

www.renewinghousewives.com/

It is a list relating to Christian ladies and the Biblical guidance for them.

It got me thinking in regards to the being subject to a husband and going to him for answers. What about older single ladies? I don't know the Bible well but is there guidance for them too?

I imagine that in Biblical times the vast majority of girls would get married so this maybe wasn't even a consideration then.

If a lady never marries who is she subject to? Would an adult daughter remain under her father's protection and roof indefinitely?

Guess it is back to google!

I don't know the Bible well as a new Christian so I was hoping someone here would know more.

You know you don't actually have to buy into the subjugated woman crap as a Christian don't you?

What MEN wrote about a different culture in history doesn't have to be recreated in a world where women have died and still die in attempts to be recognised as equal human beings and not men's property.

Yes I am a Christian.

Hey GigglyGirly, I hope I can help, I studied feminist theology while at university and have looked a lot into the 'role' of women in Christianity.

The majority of the verses above, for example Proverbs 31:26, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:2 are referring to the character of a woman who seeks to follow God, and are transferable from single life to married life. For example, purity is necessary for both married and unmarried women (and men).

As I understand them, the references to 'keeping house' are cultural, as that was the main occupation of women especially in Old Testament times when Proverbs was written.

Also, I would recommend that you read the verses in a different translation, and in the wider context, for example the Ephesians 5:24 translation above about woman being 'subject' to her husband is translated as the following in The Message version; "Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ."

Shortly after that, husbands are then instructed to love their wives as Christ loves the church, laying down his life for her. So marriage requires both husband and wife to support one another as equals.

For single women (and men) there is also guidance, that your focus is on God. I don't think that once you become an adult you remain under your fathers authority, rather, you become accountable to God and are under His authority. For example; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%207:%2032%20-%2035&version=NIV

A really good book on the topic is 'Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy' by Ronald W. Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothuis; it gives a good view on women as equal with men and goes through the Bible references topic by topic. There are loads of examples in the Bible of women being strong and equal to men, Paul writes about women who are church leaders in his New Testament letters.

Hope this helps x

Glad you've got some replies, gigglygirly. Valia, I came on here this morning to post that verse in Corinthians.

Thank you for the responses!

I was getting a bit stuck - everything I read seemed to say look to your husband or father and as I am single and my family don't approve of my faith it wasn't all that helpful!

"An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord?s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world?how she can please her husband."

Very helpful! I hadn't thought of being unmarried as a plus in this but really it means I have less ties and constraints on me. More time for God and charity!