Paul, unlike some have thought, was very close to Jesus, having had several visitations and visions from him, and he wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  We ignore him at our peril.  But we have to look at the Greek to see what he really said.  He was not, as many have characterized him, a woman-hater, he continually commended women* and counted on them as fellow workers for the gospel but he never put them down—or us.

*Paul commended:

Phoebe to the Romans as a deacon, sent her to the them (with the letter?) Romans 16:1

Priscilla, Paul’s co-worker (same word he used for men) that he and the churches were grateful to. Romans 16:3

Mary for wearing herself out working for them. Many teach that she was doing “women’s work” of cooking and cleaning but the lexicons give no such meaning to the word Paul used. v16:6

Junia, a fellow Jew and prisoner, as being “outstanding among the apostles.” V 16:7

Tryphena and Tryphosa, who also “worked hard in the Lord.” V 16:12

Persis, his “dear friend…another woman who worked very hard in the Lord.” V 16:12b

Rufus’ mother “who has been a mother to me.” V16:13