1 Coríntios 14

1 Coríntios 14

Barnes puts it, “positive, explicit, and universal. There is no ambiguity” (Notes on the Bible). The two specific matters discussed in chapter 14 are speaking in tongues and prophesying, and it is these two things that must be included in the prohibition against women speaking in church. Both tongues-speaking and prophesying involve teaching and require some measure of spiritual authority. Scripture consistently teaches that spiritual authority in the church resides with men, based on God’s order of creation (1 Timothy 2:13); therefore, women are not allowed to speak in tongues or prophesy in the general assembly of the church. To do so would be to take a position of spiritual authority over the men in that assembly. First Corinthians 11, 1 Corinthians 14, and 1 Timothy 2 all teach male spiritual leadership in the home and church as a universal principle. Pastors and elders are men, and women come under that authority with the rest of the church. Women should be careful to maintain the order God has designed for the church and show her submission to authority in culturally appropriate ways (in Corinth, a head covering). There are many roles a woman can fill in the church, and Scripture does not forbid her from singing or praying or otherwise participating in the service. But bringing the Word of God to the entire congregation is not one of her roles. That task is reserved for men. GotQuestions.org Related Resources: What does the Bible say about women pastors? | GotQuestions.org Are men and women equal in God’s eyes? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn’t that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Do women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Can women serve as deacons in the church? | GotQuestions.org When should women stop teaching boys in the church? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about women music ministers / worship leaders? | GotQuestions.org Can women serve as elders in the church? | GotQuestions.org Should Christian women wear head coverings? | GotQuestions.org 1 Corinthians 14:35 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. let Eph 5:25-27 1Pe 3:7 a shame 1Co 14:34 11:6,14 Eph 5:12 1 Corinthians 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries If (first class conditional - assumed to be the case that) they desire (thelo) to learn (manthano) anything, let them ask (eperotao) their own husbands at home; for it is improper (disgraceful, shameful) for a woman to speak (laleo) in church - For Paul to make this statement suggests that some women were asking question in the assembly of believers and this was disruptive. Clearly he is not saying they should not desire to learn anything at church because he has repeatedly advocated that the saints be edified in the services which necessitates learning God's Word of truth. Gilbrant - Paul advised the proper procedure. If the woman's motive was a true desire to learn, she should not interrupt the service by asking her husband. Rather than cause a disturbance she should wait and ask her husband at home. This was the rule to be followed. To do otherwise would be disruptive, against custom, and would not be edifying. (Complete Biblical Library) Constable offers a well-reasoned commentary on this somewhat enigmatic passage - Rather than calling out a question in the middle of some male or female prophet's message (ED: WOMEN COULD PROPHESY - 1 Cor 11:5), a woman was to wait and ask her husband about it at home after the service. Presumably unmarried women would ask their fathers or some other man in the church after the service. Men could raise questions or make comments, but too much of this could ruin the order of the service and the edifying value of the message. Consequently Paul asked the women, evidently because of their natural position of subordination, to refrain. It is improper for a woman to speak in church meetings in the situation Paul addressed in the context. That situation is the questioning and perhaps challenging of what a prophet said who was sharing something he or she believed God had given him or her to pass on to the church. (