Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
Paul formerly permitted women to give testimony in worship services (11:4-16). First Corinthians 11:5 refers to general praying and prophesying. This passage qualifies what he said in chapter 11.
1 Co 11:5-6, 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies (context indicates that this is in the church service) with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved (hair is the symbol of submission). 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered (long hair indicates submission to husband).
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak;
Paul indicated in chapter 11 that a woman prophesying in church was an acceptable practice. He just made the point in verse 29 that he expected men to review messages presented publicly by the prophets, so the issue here is women critiquing the prophetic message.
but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
The reference to the law probably refers to the woman’s acceptance of her husband’s authority (Ge 3:16) in critiquing the prophetic message. The rational is the principle of deference of a woman to her husband. The issue is femininity. Today, many rationalizations attempt to change the bald-faced teaching of this passage, but none of them holds up to the scrutiny of faithful Bible interpretation. There is no cultural escape hatch here. The issue is the principle of order in role between male and female established from an appeal to the book of Genesis and general Old Testament truth.
Ge 3:16, To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain, you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”
1 Co 11:3, But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God (this passage clearly shows that role does not demean the person in subjection because Christ is subject to the Father).
PRINCIPLE:
There is a difference between role in the church and esteem.
APPLICATION:
Paul was no chauvinist hung up with hatred of women. His teachings in the face of a culture that degraded women elevated women to a high position. He partnered with many women in his ministry. Euodias and Syntyche were “co-laborers” with him in ministry (Ph 4). He mentioned women in long lists of appreciation (Ro 16). He spoke of these women with warmth. He defended the right of women to pray and prophesy in church services (1 Co 11).
There is a difference between role in the church and personal esteem or success. The Trinity has roles. The Son is submissive to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is submissive to the Son (1 Co 11:1f). They are co-equally God, but they have different roles in the Trinity.
OK. I can get this, but what about those who are not married, or who don’t have a husband that attends church. Who are they to ask questions too? Somehow, I don’t see any pastor in a big church, having time to deal with the questions that these ladies have. Are there instructions on this?
Sheron, the issue is not general asking of questions but asking these questions in the local church where there is a hierarchy of authority. This does not preclude asking questions to anyone in private or even other public settings.
what exactly does it mean that women should be silent in church? Eg cant they lead, may be in departments, prayers , pastor etc
thanks
hayor, there is no prohibition in this passage about women serving in the church. I have had female pastors in the church that I served. The issue in this passage is about the proper process of challenging public teaching of God's Word.
Hi Grant…appreciated what you have said on I Cor 14:34-35, but interested in your reply to Hayor in which you say you have had 'female pastors in churches where you served'….this I find difficult to understand….a key issue for me in the I Cor 14: 34-35 passage is that of 'authority' (understanding it to be incorrect for a woman to exercise authority over a man, in the Church, and therefore a woman should not be involved in public speaking/teaching ministry/activity, as this would constitute an inappropriate exercise of authority over men in that sense)….therefore how you can have female pastors (shepherds 'poimen') in the Church, since all shepherds need to exercise 'authority' to protect the sheep!…it is also appears to be a word that is used exclusively for men in the NT new testament …..let's face it, where are the female shepherds in the NT?….much joy, grace be with you, Richard
Richard, I think the key passage is 1 Ti 2:11ff. The word "man" is literally "male." Thus, a woman is not to usurp authority over a man nor teach men in public worship. The women on my staff neither taught men or usurped authority over them.
Hi Grant….no problem with what you are saying here really…simply that the use of 'pastor' (shepherd) as title for women in leadership strikes me as rather misleading term since the use of the title/office of 'pastor' is well known to Christian people, as rightly being associated with that of a Shepherd of the flock (as a whole) and the corresponding authority of ministry being that of: teaching, protecting, governing etc…..plus the lack of reference/example in the new testament to 'female pastors' … and this is probably why the less authoritative title such as 'deaconess' is so often used in the appointment/recognition of female leadership in the church? ….thanks for your replies….trust this is helpful…love in Christ, Richard
I found the explanation in the following website is profound: http://www.oxfordbiblechurch.co.uk/pages/bible-commentary/1corinthians/1corinthians-143435.php: in explaning 1 Cor 14:34-35 and http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/1Tim/Men-Women-Worship gave more perspectives to consider the background of the controversial verses in 1 Tim 2. Due to time restriction, I could not sum up the material, and trust you would enjoy them from the original resources anyway. God bless.
Veria: Thank you for sharing the oxfordbiblechurch website. I have been studying this, looking to understand as I know the scriptures do not contradict themselves. This was a great help to me!