The Bible has a number of passages that deal with the relationship men & women have to each other.
When we look at them, we find that it does not say that women are to obey all men in general.
Women are to be under male leadership in the church (not to teach or exercise authority over men), but there is a chain of command so to speak. Men shouldn't be telling other men's wives what to do and usurping the husband's role. I believe rather that men in the church should encourage men to speak with their own wives. In general, everyone is to submit to the government. Christians are to submit to each other. Foremost women and men are to submit to God.
We do find in the Bible that women are to submit & be subject their
own husbands.
Ephesians 5:22 ; 1 Peter 2:1-2 ; Ephesians 5:24 ; 1 Peter 2:5
We find that Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham, calling him lord.
Wives are to respect their husbands. 1 Peter 3:2 This means even unbelieving husbands or ones disobedient to the Word. Men won't always do things the way that the Bible says, but a wife should follow the husband's leadership so long as the wife isn't sinning. That act of love and humility may even win the husband over.
Just as Christian men should not deny their wives physical intimacy, women should not deny their husbands intimacy (except by agreement for a time...1 Corinthians 7:2-6).
Those in the church are to be subject to each other in the fear of Christ, but there is a special relationship between a wife and her husband. It's a relationship of honor and unity. It is compared to the unity of Christ and His Bride the Church.
Are women to be treated as inferiors?
No.
The Bible tells us that men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. (See Ephesians 5:25.)
Men are to nourish and cherish their wives as they would their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28-30).
Men are to live with their wives in an understanding way (1 Peter 3:7).
Wives are fellow heirs.
Christian men should be leading and helping their wives spiritually.
Men and women both should treat each other in all the ways the Bible instructs Christians to treat each other.
If there is physical abuse going on, we are under civil laws. Also, if the spouse professes to be a Christian, the church must exercise discipline. Go to your church, and if threatened...go to the police.
What does it mean that women are weaker?
I'm sure it quickly comes to mind that women are in general physically weaker than men with some exceptions.
While many women may not want to admit it, I freely admit that I am weaker emotionally than men.
This doesn't mean that women lack intelligence or the ability to use logic.
It means that logic can fly out the window due to being more sensitive, emotional, and hormonal.
Women have a different balance of hormones than men do. We tend to be more tenderhearted which suits the roles that God has given to women in general.
I see in 1 Peter 3 an encouragement to follow 1 Peter 3:8 in all relationships.
A man can't live in an understanding way unless he realizes a woman's fragility, and honors her and treats her as a fellow heir (if she is a believer) in spite of her role of submission. He should not try to dominate his wife by being a dictator, and she should not try to dominate him or be afraid of or controlled by fear of him.
Women are to have a gentle and quiet spirit, though our natural desire in our sinful fallen state is to rule over men (Genesis 3:16).
The Bible teaches us to have faith and live in love and sanctity with self-restraint (1 Timothy 2:15).
Women are to be chaste, respectful, gentle & quiet (1 Peter 3:2-4).
Now, in full disclosure, I am not married. I still am to be subject to other Christians and the authorities the Bible has for me.
