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[Bob Pickle]

Please explain 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35, where the apostle speaks about women keeping silence in the church.—L.P.

"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. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35.

In the light of the context (the rest of the chapter) and of the Bible as a whole, we may discover the meaning of this much discussed passage.

The church at Corinth was in disorder and confusion as a result of erroneous notions and practices regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Hence Paul laid down some very definite rules regarding the exercise of the gifts of prophecy and unknown languages. (Verses 27-32.) He implies in verse 34 that in the excitement and hysteria at Corinth the women of the church were assuming the direction of church affairs. Those who are acquainted with the modern manifestations commonly known, as "pentecostalism" and "holy rollerism" know that in them the tendency is for women to direct the government of the churches, and to make the most noise and talk loudly in the meetings. Paul says: "They are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." Verse 34. After sin came into the world, and made it possible that the harmony hitherto existing between the members of the human family might he disrupted, God saw fit to make the husband the head of the home. (Genesis 3:16.) "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife." Ephesians 5:22, 23.

Also the government of the church of the Lord, in both Old Testament and New Testament times was entrusted to men. In other words, God has not placed the government of the church in the hands of women. In these matters the women are to keep silence. In New Testament times there was a tendency on the part of women in a few instances to rebel against this arrangement, and to assume authority over the church.

"Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve." 1 Timothy 2:11-13. Hence we understand that when the apostle tells the women to keep silence, he is speaking of the government of the church. But in the light of the other passages of Scripture it does not appear that women are not to speak about the word of God. We find several instances of women serving as prophetesses and teachers, such as Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22), Anna (Luke 2:36), the daughters of Philip (Acts 21: 9), and Priscilla (Acts 18:26; Romans 16:3). While they did this noble service, their offices were secondary, but the primary function of government of God's people was administered by men.

[Artiste]

Pretty clear, then what the church's general position was at that time.

The proponents of WO that say they have been waiting for 130 years for leadership to recognize what people want (I guess referring back to 1881) do not appear to be correct.

I had never heard that "pentecostalism" tended to have women directing government of churches.

[Johann]

Pretty clear, then what the church's general position was at that time.

The proponents of WO that say they have been waiting for 130 years for leadership to recognize what people want (I guess referring back to 1881) do not appear to be correct.

I had never heard that "pentecostalism" tended to have women directing government of churches.

No, the actual year was 1885. It was not a question of leadership, but evangelism and ordination.

[Bob Pickle]

1885?