“³⁴The 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. ³⁵If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. ³⁶Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?”

Men and women have different roles, yet are equal in essence and value. The world insists (quite militantly) that such a belief is misogynistic, yet creation itself affirms its truth. For example, physical differences are obvious in the area of procreation, despite extremists who assert that all differences are simply human constructs. Our world wants to believe that gender is a choice, the assignment at birth can be changed, and the roles are interchangeable. Such is the ludicrous effort to displace God as Creator and Master of the universe and of every person’s life!

How then do we understand this passage in light of the belief in gender differences? No one believes the word “silent” to be an absolute statement, for women singing is universally allowed. And the word is not confined to women, for it is also used to limit participation among tongues speakers and prophets (1 Cor. 14:28, 30). So silence is not the restricted domain of women.

But silence in what respect then? Given the apparent free flow of interaction in the church gathering at Corinth, specifically the prophets passing judgment on each other’s prophecy (1 Cor. 14:29) and the “spirits of the prophets [being] subject to prophets” (1 Cor. 14:32), possibly a woman’s silence restricted her from entering into the banter and debate that most likely took place. Notice that women are to “subject themselves,” contrasted with the prophets passing judgement. This does not preclude asking questions or entering the discussion but should warn against speaking with authority or judgment.

Paul does not confine this teaching to the Corinthians as though they were unique. Paul even goes so far as to call a woman’s speaking in church “improper”—literally, “shameful.” This is the Word of God. We may not fully understand it from our culturally fogged perspective, but the Scripture tells us that this principle is part of doing things “properly and in an orderly manner” (1 Cor. 14:40).

Churches today apply this teaching differently. Some restrict the public teaching of the Word in a mixed congregation to men only. Others limit women’s verbal involvement in worship at a free-form worship or communion service. Whatever view one holds, this is God’s Word to all the churches.

Lord, help me so order my understanding that I am willing to obey You when I don’t understand Your Word.