Paul often uses the phrase “sons of God” to refer to those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. Paul never uses the phrase “daughters of God” when speaking of human redemption. So, somewhat tongue in cheek, I must ask, Can women be saved? Can women be led by the Spirit? Do women receive “the Spirit of adoption as sons”? Are women full redemptive participants in the kingdom of God? In other words, Does God have daughters?
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:14-17).
Even the most patriarchal biblical theologian will affirm that men and women are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. But why does Paul refer to redeemed humans as sons of God? Is he suggesting some type of metaphysical sex-change in which women are transformed? If so, does this suggest that being female is so offensive to God that only sons of God are granted entrance into the kingdom of God? Maybe this is why women are to be silent in the church, and women are denied full participation in the ministry of the Church. Or maybe not.
Paul is not speaking about gender, but status. He is declaring that redemption in Christ transforms the status of every human being. In sin, all humans are slaves. But those who are in Christ are transformed from slave to son. Paul is speaking of an ontological change in status. Sinful men and women are subject to the “spirit of slavery.” Men and women who are in Christ receive “a spirit of adoption as sons.”
Sonship, as Paul uses the term, refers to inheritance rights, not gender superiority. All who are in Christ and led by the Spirit are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. Only he shares the full divinity of God the Father. However, humans – slaves in sin – can indeed be adopted as sons of God and become full participants in God’s mission. Men and women who receive the “Spirit of adoption” share equal status in the redeemed community. Anyone – male or female – who confesses Jesus as Lord and receives the Holy Spirit is a full participant in the kingdom of God.
Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit effect human redemption. Those who are led by the Spirit are the “sons of God.” The Spirit “testifies that we are the children of God.” It is likely that the words of Joel – I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy (2:28) – were dancing around in Paul’s mind as he wrote this section of Romans.
This could be why Paul affirms women in ministry as he concludes the letter to the church at Rome – Phoebe, Prisca, Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, and the unnamed sister of Nereus (Romans 16:1, 3, 6, 12, 15). These are women who have confessed Christ, received the Spirit, and suffered for the cause of Christ. Paul does not rebuke them for exercising their voice in the mission of God. Paul does not refer to them as inferior, or limited by their gender; but as fellow workers and fellow heirs. Yes, God has daughters too! (2 Corinthians 6:18).
