Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Let me try again.
There is both equally among the sexes, and there is a measure of submission.
The Church submits to God.
Men submit to their rulers in the Church.
Wives submit to their husbands.
Children submit to their parents.
Everyone submits to the government over them.
In God's economy, all this is under the mantle of love.
As far as their standing before God, men and women are essentially equals, i.e equal in substance.