Women In The Church

1 Corinthians 14:34
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
KJV

See I Corinthians and other Pastoral Epistles. Paul states that a woman is to keep silent in the Church (I Corinthians 14:34). In 1 Corinthians 11:5, a woman is praying in the assembly. Examine closely the context of 1 Corinthians 14 and determine if Paul meant for the woman to keep silent only in regard to the tongue issue. Did he apply this only to the Corinthian Church or the culture of the Middle East? Scripturally, can a woman pray, sing, or give a testimony in a church service? Can she teach men? Research, discuss, and come to a conclusion.

As difficult as many twenty-first century men and women may find these rules, it is clear that God has established the playing field. Mankind’s duty is to respond according to His order. Paul sets forth this conclusion at 14:40:

Let all things be done decently and in order.

This is a reflection of Paul’s statement that commenced this section of the chapter.

1 Corinthians 14:26b
Let all things be done unto edifying.

One of the areas causing confusion in interpreting these verses is their place in the overall context that begins at chapter 11. From reading these four chapters together, it is apparent the Corinthian church was experiencing disorder in its services. Paul first addresses this issue at 11:17. Reading slightly between the lines suggests the major problem was an over emphasis on spiritual gifts and placing their exercise helping their brethren. This is reflected in the discussion above concerning tongues and prophecy and their proper place in the service. As indicated as well, much of this disruption appears to be from women exercising their gifts and attempting to exercise control. Paul uses the orderliness of God’s character and His creation to point to the proper order to be followed in the church services.

The Corinthian church was having special problems with disorders in their public meetings (1 Cor. 11:17–23). The reason is not difficult to determine: they were using their spiritual gifts to please themselves and not to help their brethren. The key word was not edification, but exhibition. If you think that your contribution to the service is more important than your brother’s contribution, then you will either be impatient until he finishes, or you will interrupt him. Add to this problem the difficulties caused by the “liberated women” in the assembly, and you can understand why the church experienced carnal confusion.

Interestingly enough, the earlier verses (11:2-16) may actually commence Paul’s discussion on the proper decorum of the worship service, although this section is pointed to bring glory to God and not the authority of the service, although this is a think “scholarly” distincition. In connection with our current question, 11:5 presents the problem passage.

1 Corinthians 11:5
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

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