Patriarchy or Gender Equality? The Letter to the Ephesians on Submission, Headship, and Slavery

Abstract

Miles argues about the origins of the structure of the traditional family found in the work of economist Gary S. Becker. Miles elaborates on Becker's approach to locate patriarchy's source not in God, religion, or even in male malevolence, but in the economic conditions of pro-industrial, agriculturally dependent societies. She then contrasts the structure of patriarchy with a key passage from the writings of Paul of Tarsus, Ephesians 5:20-6:9. She shows that, to the contrary, his intent was not to promote but to repudiate patriarchy.