The Godly Woman

Chapter 4: The Woman's Ministry

"Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak." (II Corinthians 14:34)

It is generally assumed that the only avenue of ministry available to a Christian is a vocal ministry. Anyone desiring to express praise and worship to God assumes he (or she) must do it verbally. But the Bible indicates there are two avenues of worship (or ministry) available.

The man's avenue of worship: The man has an avenue of worship available to him which is vocal, outward and authoritative. "Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension" (I Timothy 2:8). God has instructed men to take the lead in expressing praise and worship. They are to express themselves verbally. In addition, they are to lift up holy hands to God. Their ministry is to be such that there is an outward manifestation of their inner attitude. They are to stand and pray aloud, to show their praise outwardly, and to lead the congregation in worship. Authority has been invested in the man and he should exercise this authority by taking his place as a leader. This is rightfully and properly his role.

The woman's avenue of worship: The woman has an avenue of worship available to her which is quiet, modest, inward and submissive. "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness. Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet" (I Timothy 2:9-12). The emphasis in this passage should be put on the word "likewise" in verse 9. The verse just prior to this gives instructions for the man's avenue of worship. "Likewise," or "in the same way," women are to have an avenue of worship. Women are to express the same praise and worship to God, only in a different way. It is not a matter of men having a ministry of speaking and women not having a ministry. Rather, it is a matter of men and women each having a distinct ministry.

When women adorn themselves properly--with modesty and discretion--they are expressing praise to God. When they sit quietly and submissively they are worshiping God. They are accomplishing a ministry of silence. By their submissive and quiet spirits they are expressing the exact same thing that men express when they stand and pray aloud. The woman's avenue of ministry is one of quietness. Any woman can find complete joy and fulfillment in exercising this ministry because it is a God-given one.

The Word of God makes it clear that women are to keep silent in the church. "Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says" (I Corinthians 14:34). Many people have concluded from this passage that women have no ministry in the church, other than singing. Since women are expressly forbidden to speak, it is assumed they are excluded from ministering praise and worship to God. But women do have a ministry in the church. It is a ministry of quietness. Instead of going to a church service with grim resignation just to sit there and do nothing, they should go with the intention of ministering. They should go modestly and discreetly attired and enter into a full ministry, viewing their attitude of quietness and submission as a way to praise God, instead of simply enduring it. By willingly giving themselves to submission and joyfully accepting their role, women are saying "Praise the Lord." They are saying "Amen" to God's order. A woman has the opportunity to say, "God, I love you, I agree with you, and I am willing to take my place. I will obey you and worship you in silence."

The Woman's Ministry in the Church

Women have an opportunity to minister to the Lord in a personal and private way. The worship they offer to God will never be heard by anyone else; it is reserved strictly for the Lord. Women can enjoy this intimate relationship and exercise it to the fullest. It is also a ministry which is precious in the sight of the Lord. The Word indicates the "imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (I Peter 3:4). Women need to recognize the wonderful opportunity that is available to them and take advantage of this ministry.

Some might be inclined to reason: "Since the woman's ministry is to sit quietly and say nothing, no one will know who is ministering and who is just sitting there." But God will know. Why should you care if anyone else knows you are ministering? The praise is going to God; the worship is directed to God. It will be that much more precious because it cannot be tainted by self-glorification. With no one to impress and no one listening in, you will be able to praise the Lord with a pure heart. No one will ever know what communion and service you are entering into. It will be a clear-cut case of praying in secret, and "your Father who sees in secret will repay you" (Matthew 6:6).

Women have an opportunity to minister to God through this avenue of quietness, but they also have an opportunity to minister to angels. The Word of God indicates "the manifold wisdom of God [is] made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:10). Watching the church causes the angels to glorify and magnify God. When they see the power of God manifested in the transformed life of a sinner, they fall down and worship God. When they see diverse and incongruous members of the body of Christ come together as a unit and function in harmony, they praise God for making this miracle occur. To see rebellious sinners regenerated and changed into obedient children, voluntarily submitting to God's order, is great cause for rejoicing among the angels. Therefore, a woman who submits herself to God's order and assumes her role gives the angels opportunity to praise God. When she covers her head she indicates to the angels that she is willing to take her place, that she is willing to obey God, and that she is voluntarily submitting to God's authority (see I Corinthians 11:10). This type of ministry blesses the angels and gives them additional cause to worship God.

The Word of God clearly teaches that all born-again believers are priests. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9). As such, all believers are to offer up to God spiritual sacrifices. "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5). It behooves every believer to determine the type of sacrifice he is to offer to God and the manner in which it is to be offered. The Old Testament priests ministered in a way prescribed by God. They were not left to their own imagination to devise sacrifices or ways in which to present them. The entire ritual was dictated by God. It was rigidly and specifically outlined. God told Moses exactly which type of sacrifice was to be offered for each occasion. The priests simply obeyed and offered the specified sacrifice.

God also told Moses how He wanted the sacrifices to be presented. The priests then went about to perform their duties in the prescribed manner. There was no room for innovation or alteration. Any deviation from God's pattern was rejected. In one instance when a "strange" sacrifice was offered to God, He rejected the offering and consumed the priests who had brought it. Leviticus 10:1-4 tells the story. Prior to this, God had given the commandment of the law and ordered the priests to keep the fire on the altar burning continually (Leviticus 6:13). It may be safe to assume that the fire burning on the altar was holy fire, and this was the reason it was to be kept burning. "Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces" (Leviticus 9:24). Since God had started the fire which was burning on the altar, He did not want it to be replaced by human fire, so He instructed the priests to keep it burning.

When incense was offered to the Lord, it was to be burned with fire that came off the altar. On the day of atonement when Aaron offered incense inside the holy of holies he was to "take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil" (Leviticus 16:12). On another occasion when Aaron offered incense to the Lord to placate His anger, he was instructed to take fire from the altar for the incense. "Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them..." (Numbers 16:46). God had instructed the priests to use fire from the altar when they offered incense, so any deviation from this commandment was disobedience.

Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, brought an offering of incense to the Lord, but they contaminated it by using "strange fire." Apparently they used fire that had not come from the altar. "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them" (Leviticus 10:1). God totally rejected their offering and rejected them. "And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD" (Leviticus 10:2). It was a grievous sin in God's sight for them to ignore His commandments and serve Him in a self-appointed way.

You may think God overreacted. Surely Nadab and Abihu's sin was not severe enough to warrant this kind of punishment. But it was. Rebellion was at the heart of it. Nadab and Abihu put their own opinion above God's commandment. They did not treat God as God--they put themselves on a plane equal with God. He would not tolerate this. The Lord gave this word to Aaron: "By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored" (Leviticus 10:3). Refusing to give God His rightful place and submitting to His authority is a most grievous sin. It robs God of the honor and awe which are His because of who He is.

God has prescribed an avenue of worship for women. He instructs them to minister to Him by being silent and submissive. Women must minister in the God-appointed way or be in rebellion. God will not accept a "strange" sacrifice. The sacrifice I bring to God must be the type He has indicated, presented in the manner He has prescribed. It is impossible to minister to God in my way--it must be in His way.

The Woman's Ministry in the Home

The home is the place for a woman to minister verbally. While we have already noted she must minister silently in the church, she does have a full vocal ministry in the home and with other women. Does this mean she may minister only in her own home? No, she has liberty to minister in other homes as well. Any informal gathering of people (which is not a recognized meeting of the church) provides women with an opportunity to minister. However, she must never usurp authority. I Timothy 2:12 applies: "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." A woman must never teach men or usurp men's authority. She is permitted to speak, but must retain a quiet and submissive spirit.

Women are given a very important ministry of teaching. There are three aspects to this ministry:

First, older women are to teach younger women. "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage [i.e. train] the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored " (Titus 2:3-5). It is significant that the older women are first encouraged to bring their own lives into conformity with God's standards. An older woman is not in a position to teach younger women if she is living in rebellion or disobedience. The older women are first to teach by example.

Perhaps one of the reasons authority is so often rejected today is that those in authority have failed to bring their own lives into line. One can only teach what he (or she) is living. If an older woman is not reverent (holy), the younger women around her will not be reverent. If an older woman is a gossip, she will train the younger women to be gossips. It is impossible to raise the level of a student above the level of the teacher. You must first of all bring your own life into conformity with God's Word, and then teach.

This area of teaching seems to be sadly neglected today. Could it be that the older women have not learned to submit to their husbands? Could it be that they are not pure, kind, workers at home? If this is the case, it is certain they will never have an effective ministry teaching younger women. They must first obey God's Word and then teach. In addition to teaching by example, the older women are to teach by precept. They are to actually communicate these truths to younger women. Older women need to have contact with younger women so they can dialogue with them. They should have some informal way of getting together. It is important that the older women communicate to the younger women God's order, their place in that order, what is expected of them and how to perform. They should also share with the younger women the joy and blessing they have found in submitting to their husbands and living out their God-given role.

Young women today are bombarded by the philosophy and standard of the world. Satan is blasting the home and family. The divinely ordered roles are being ridiculed and discarded. It is vitally important that believing, godly women instill in the younger women God's standards, plan, and role for women. where will they learn these things if they are not taught? Where will they see examples of happy, satisfied women living out their divinely appointed role if it is not in the church? If you as an older woman are not in a position to teach these things because your life is out of order, then by all means set it right. There is a desperate need today for this kind of teaching. Apart from the need of the hour, the scriptural injunction of these verses should prompt women to obey: "...that the word of God may not be dishonored" (Titus 2:5). This really means "...that the word of God be not blasphemed."

When the foundation of God's order is out of line, it causes the Word of God to be defamed. Women whose lives are not characterized by holiness and submission dishonor God's Word. Thus it is imperative that older women bring their lives into conformity with God's plan. This is not an option, it is imperative.

Second, mothers are to teach their children. God entrusts parents with children for a temporary period of time in which it is the parents' happy privilege to train those children in the way they should go. It is a great responsibility to raise children, and every parent should look upon this task as a ministry from the Lord. It is the parents' duty and privilege to instruct their children about the things of the Lord: to instill in them a love for God's Word, to point them to the Lord Jesus Christ, to cultivate in them a high moral and ethical standard, and to break that stubborn self-will. It is a very important ministry and one which requires much time, devotion and prayer. But it is also a very rewarding and blessed ministry.

Since mothers are usually with their children more than fathers, they have an almost constant opportunity to teach their children about the things of the Lord. Mothers will truly be able to "talk of them when sitting in the house and when walking by the way and when lying down and when rising up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). It is essential that the mother teach her children about the things of the Lord. Whether she realizes it or not, she is teaching her children something all the time. Her attitudes, values, standards and beliefs are transmitted to her children quite rapidly. If she is worldly and materialistic, these attitudes will soon become apparent in her children. But if she is a godly woman, her children will begin to reflect that standard.

In addition to the message the mother's life conveys, her lips must also carry a message. It is not enough to live a good life in front of her children; she must also teach them by sharing with them and explaining things to them. She must take time to read the Bible with her children and pray with them. She must explain to them the doctrines and principles of the Word of God. She cannot depend on someone else to do it.

Every mother ought to make it her responsibility to see to it that her children are grounded in the Word of God. She ought to mold their thinking and influence them for the Lord. The young years are quite impressionable; she should make sure the right impressions are being made. "Train up a child in the way he should go: even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

The book of Proverbs repeats an injunction to a wise son to respect the training of his parents. "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck" (Proverbs 1:8-9). "My son, observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck" (Proverbs 6:20-21). The teaching of the mother is mentioned both times. It is important for mothers to take this ministry seriously. What kind of teaching are your children receiving from you? Is it the kind that will "guide them when they walk, watch over them when they sleep, and talk to them when they are awake"? (see Proverbs 6:22). It should be. The mother's teaching is one of the most important influences in a child's life.

The New Testament gives the example of Lois and Eunice as two godly women who took this ministry seriously and trained up Timothy in the way he should go. They were Timothy's grandmother and mother and must have spent much time cultivating a holy life because they are commended for their sincere faith (II Timothy 1:5). They must also have spent time teaching Timothy the Word of God because Paul mentions in his letter to Timothy, "from childhood you have known the sacred writings..." (II Timothy 3:15). The burden of Timothy's training fell upon Eunice because Timothy's father was evidently an unbeliever. But she compensated for this and diligently taught Timothy the things of the Lord. The results of her labors are noteworthy. Timothy was one of the most laudable young men in the New Testament. Paul singled him out as the only one of a kindred spirit he could send to check on the condition of the Philippians. He commended Timothy by saying, "You know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father" (Philippians 2:22). What greater reward could Eunice have received than this type of praise for her son?

Third, women are to teach in their households. Although the primary meaning of this third type of teaching had to do with women teaching their servants, there is still an application today. The woman's domain is her home. She performs most of her duties here and exerts the most influence here. She is in her proper place when she is at home and is at liberty to exercise a ministry. She is free to teach those who come into her household or come into her sphere of influence. This may be informal teaching, but it is ministry nonetheless.

The virtuous woman is to engage in this kind of teaching: "She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:26-27). Where does she speak wisdom and teach kindness? In her home (or among her household). When guests come through her home, she is to have a word of wisdom or a word of encouragement to share with them. Perhaps she can open the Bible and share something the Lord has just taught her; perhaps she will be able to help or counsel someone who is in error. Priscilla was used in this way. She and her husband Aquila took Apollos aside and "explained to him the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26). If this had been solely the ministry of Aquila, no mention would have been made of Priscilla. But the Scripture says Priscilla and Aquila both took him aside and talked to him. Perhaps they took Apollos home with them and spoke to him there. It is evident they did not accost him publicly, but they "took him aside." This was a legitimate opportunity for Priscilla to minister.

Women have a ministry teaching other women, children, and those of their households. Most of these areas of ministry are neglected today. Is it because women do not realize the opportunities that are available to them, or is it because women are not prepared to minister? Every Christian woman should realize she has an avenue of ministry available and should prepare for it. She should study God's Word to learn the precepts He would have her teach.

Women are also given a ministry of prophesying. Before explaining this ministry, it is necessary first to define prophesying. Literally, to prophesy means, "to foretell events, to divine, or to speak under inspiration." In addition, it means to speak "to men for edification and exhortation and consolation" (I Corinthians 14:30). When an individual prophesies, he (or she) speaks God's word for the moment. It might be inspired speaking which is useful for general edification, or it might be some particular word which is sent from God to meet a specific need. A word of wisdom may be just one sentence of an entire discourse, which is like an arrow piercing right to the heart of an individual. It answers a question, solves a problem, provides divine guidance or convicts an individual in his particular situation.

Prophesying is not some mysterious, psychic phenomenon. Neither is it the hysterical ravings of a madwoman. Prophesying is sane, calm and Spirit-controlled. It involves giving a word of exhortation, edification, or consolation at an opportune moment by the urging of the Holy Spirit. It is neither to be feared nor exalted. It is the normal ministry of the life of Christ within an individual. Keeping these things in mind, let us examine the woman's prophetic ministry.

The only specific injunction concerning women prophesying is found in I Corinthians 11:5: "But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved." It is clear from this passage that a woman entering into a ministry of praying or prophesying should have her head covered. This is to indicate her submission to God's order; it is to be a sign to the angels; and it is to prevent her from disgracing her head. Since this word of instruction is given, it reveals the fact that a woman is permitted to prophesy. But where is this to be done?

The place of a woman's prophetic ministry may be deduced by noting the negative injunctions specified in the Word of God. Women must not prophesy in church because I Corinthians 14:34 clearly teaches women to be silent in the churches. Women must not prophesy to men in such a way as to dominate because I Timothy 2:12 forbids women from exercising authority over men. (This same passage, however, does indicate that a woman would be at liberty to prophesy with authority to other women.) By the process of elimination, it becomes evident that women may prophesy in the home. Just as with the teaching ministry, women are free to offer a word of prophecy in the informal setting of the home. She may speak a word of edification, exhortation or consolation as the situation dictates. The only requisite is that she have her head covered. (A word of caution: care must be taken that a woman does not exercise authority over a man. If a woman's husband is present, or other men are present, a woman should not usurp their authority. It is unlikely the Lord would use a woman to prophesy if there are capable men present.)

The Word of God mentions Philip's daughters as examples of women who exercised the prophetic ministry. "And on the next day we departed and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses" (Acts 21:8-9). The writer of the book of Acts makes a point of saying that Paul and his companions stayed at the house of Philip. They must have had informal meetings together at Philip's house. During this time, Philip's daughters prophesied. This was evidently acceptable since no mention is made of rebuke or correction. It is also apparent that these young women prophesied with men present. But they did not exercise authority over the men. When a word of authority was necessary, the prophet Agabus delivered it. (Acts 21:10-11). He traveled from Judea to convey this prophecy. It would have been out of order for the women to utter such an authoritative message.

Anna is another example of a woman who exercised the prophetic ministry. "She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers" (Luke 2:37). She also prophesied to the people who came to the temple. When Mary and Joseph came with the baby Jesus to present Him to the Lord, Anna spoke to them and prophesied concerning the Lord Jesus: "And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). "Speaking of Him" is the essence of prophecy. Anna devoted her life to a ministry of praying and prophesying.

Women are also given a ministry of prayer. It is perhaps the most important ministry available to women. Through prayer, women can move God on behalf of men. A woman who meets the conditions for prayer will be able to pray with authority and expect God to answer her petitions.

There are three basic conditions to prayer. Women must cover their heads when they pray. We have already noted that a woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered disgraces her head (I Corinthians 11:5). This same passage also asks, "Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with head uncovered?" (I Corinthians 11:13). The answer is evidently "no." The reasons for a woman covering her head when she prays are the same as for when she prophesies. The covering indicates her submission to God's order; it is a sign to the angels; and it prevents her from disgracing her head. (A more detailed explanation of the head covering will be given in Chapter 5.)

Women must submit to God's appointed authority in order to pray effectively. God has established lines of authority within the human race and expects every person to submit to the authority above them. It is impossible for a person to be in submission to God and in rebellion against the authority over him. Rebellion against God's appointed authority is in reality rebellion against God. Hence, it is vitally important to be in the proper place and in the proper attitude when praying. God does not hear an individual who is in rebellion against Him. "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if any one is God-fearing, and does His will, He hears him" (John 9:31).

It is impossible to be out of God's order and do His will. When beginning a ministry of prayer, every woman should examine her life to make sure she is in her proper place. "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:3). Women are to be in submission to men. "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). Wives are to be in subjection to their husbands. "Obey your leaders, and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17). Women are to be submissive to the elders and leaders God has put over them. When a woman's position is right and her attitude is right, she is then prepared to pray with authority. She has all the power of heaven available to her. She may enter into this ministry with the assurance that God will hear.

In order to have her prayers answered, a woman must pray according to God's will. "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him" (I John 5:14-15). Prayer never moves a reluctant God to do something against His will; instead it moves human beings to come into conformity with His will. Therefore, it is imperative to know God's will.

The only way to know God's will is to know God. He has told us He does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We change, but He does not. Neither is He capricious. He does not tell us to pray according to His will and then hide His will from us. He wants us to know Him and to know His will. But first we must seek Him. "You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). If you truly want to know God's will in order to do God's will, He will make it clear. But if you only want to know God's will to decide whether or not you are going to do it, you will never know it.

Once a woman begins to know God's will and understand His dealings with human beings, she is in a position to pray effectively. She can expect answers to her prayers. She will have the joy of seeing God move in human lives.

There is a word of warning concerning the prayer ministry. Beware of the deception of gossip. Many times women share bits of news, details of a problem, or confidential matters with each other and then top it off by saying, "We must pray about this." That last comment is supposed to sanctify everything that has been said and make it permissible. Most of these kinds of conversations are nothing more than gossip sessions.

There are only two persons with whom the details of a problem should be discussed: the person involved, and the Lord. If someone takes a woman into their confidence and sincerely asks her to pray about a matter, she should take it to the Lord and no further. If a woman knows a problem and knows something needs to be done, she should go to the Lord and ask Him to work. There is no need to discuss the problem with other women. True godly concern pushes a woman to her knees, not next door or to the telephone. If she is so burdened about something that she feels she must talk about it, she should go to the Lord and unburden herself. If women spent as much time talking to the Lord as they do talking to each other on the telephone, there might be revival fires sweeping the world.

It is significant that many of the passages in the New Testament pertaining to women also include an admonition about gossiping. Women are prone to this, and must constantly be on the alert against it. The wives of deacons, or deaconesses, are not to be gossips: "Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things" (I Timothy 3:11). Older women are not to be gossips: "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good" (Titus 2:3). Younger widows are to get married and have children, not spend their time gossiping. Otherwise, "they learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention" (I Timothy 5:13). It is clear from these passages that the Lord is not pleased with women who spend their time indulging in gossip. Be careful that your prayer requests and prayer meetings do not turn into gossip sessions.

The Lord has provided women with a full and rewarding ministry. They have the privilege of worshiping God through the avenue of quietness and submission. While in the church they can express their love and obedience to God through a meek and quiet spirit. While in their homes they have the opportunity to raise their children in the admonition of the Lord. And when in the informal setting of someone's home they may prophesy. Every woman should take these ministries seriously and should prepare herself to enter into them.

Next: Chapter 5: The Woman's Adornment