1 Corinthians 14:34-40
34: The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
35: If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
36: Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
37: If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
38: But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39: Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
40: But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
Some say verse 34 is a continuation of verse 33 which would then read “As in all the churches of the saints, the women are to keep silent…” showing that this was common behavior in the churches, like the head coverings mentioned in chapter 11. Whether that was Paul’s train of thought or not, we know women prayed and prophesied in the church 1 so, if women were speaking to and from the Lord in the gatherings then what was he referring to here when he said for them to keep silent?
The point Paul was making was that women—particularly —are to subject themselves to their husbands as we see examples of in the Old Testament. Paul said if they wanted to learn anything, to have them ask their husbands at home. 1 Timothy 2:11 confirms this by saying a woman must receive instruction with entire submissiveness. So, this has to do with a wife's posture of learning in church.
In other words, Paul was saying a woman should listen to what was being taught and not question or debate it in the church assembly. If she didn’t understand, or if she disagreed, she should discuss those things with her husband at home and work it out there instead of in a public assembly. A wife should not disrespect her husband, especially in public, and if she questioned or debated a topic publicly it would, at least in those days, be considered out of order and disrespectful to the husband, the head of the home.
God designed the family unit to be the highest governing unit in the earth. The husband and wife should discuss topics, and pray together, so as to come into agreement with what they believe is the mind of God in all matters. When families bring this kind of unity into the church, it makes for a strong church and a strong community in the Lord.
Paul ended this topic by saying if anyone considered himself to be a prophet or spiritual person then he needed to recognize that what Paul was saying about order in the church was the Lord’s commandments. If anyone didn’t, then he shouldn’t be recognized as a prophet or spiritual. He further summarized his discussion on the gifts by urging them to earnestly desire to prophesy and not to prohibit anyone from speaking in tongues, but to let everything be conducted in a proper and orderly manner.
1 For more references on women prophesying see 1 Corinthians 11:5, Acts 21:9, Acts 2:17, Galatians 3:28
35: If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
36: Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
37: If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
38: But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
39: Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
40: But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
***
Some say verse 34 is a continuation of verse 33 which would then read “As in all the churches of the saints, the women are to keep silent…” showing that this was common behavior in the churches, like the head coverings mentioned in chapter 11. Whether that was Paul’s train of thought or not, we know women prayed and prophesied in the church 1 so, if women were speaking to and from the Lord in the gatherings then what was he referring to here when he said for them to keep silent?
The point Paul was making was that women—particularly —are to subject themselves to their husbands as we see examples of in the Old Testament. Paul said if they wanted to learn anything, to have them ask their husbands at home. 1 Timothy 2:11 confirms this by saying a woman must receive instruction with entire submissiveness. So, this has to do with a wife's posture of learning in church.
In other words, Paul was saying a woman should listen to what was being taught and not question or debate it in the church assembly. If she didn’t understand, or if she disagreed, she should discuss those things with her husband at home and work it out there instead of in a public assembly. A wife should not disrespect her husband, especially in public, and if she questioned or debated a topic publicly it would, at least in those days, be considered out of order and disrespectful to the husband, the head of the home.
God designed the family unit to be the highest governing unit in the earth. The husband and wife should discuss topics, and pray together, so as to come into agreement with what they believe is the mind of God in all matters. When families bring this kind of unity into the church, it makes for a strong church and a strong community in the Lord.
Paul ended this topic by saying if anyone considered himself to be a prophet or spiritual person then he needed to recognize that what Paul was saying about order in the church was the Lord’s commandments. If anyone didn’t, then he shouldn’t be recognized as a prophet or spiritual. He further summarized his discussion on the gifts by urging them to earnestly desire to prophesy and not to prohibit anyone from speaking in tongues, but to let everything be conducted in a proper and orderly manner.
1 For more references on women prophesying see 1 Corinthians 11:5, Acts 21:9, Acts 2:17, Galatians 3:28
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