1 Corinthians 14:34-35, thoughts and references

“Paul’s goal was to establish order, not to silence women,” concluded Philip J. Abbott in his Master’s Thesis “Bringing Order to 1 Cor 14:34-35.” 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is a sometimes-attacked, sometimes-avoided, somewhat controversial passage. To those who reject the inspiration and authority of scripture, it is a cultural anachronism with no place in modern society. To those who accept the inspiration and authority of scripture while trying to fit in society, it is a thorn in the side. To all who take the Bible seriously, it can be a difficult passage. I do not expect to resolve the difficulties, but would like to investigate the text a bit.

Two contextual outlines

Worship in the Church (I Corinthians 11:2-14:40)

Men and Women in Worship: How they Dress (11:2-16)

 Order in Worship: worship through eating the Lord’s Supper (11:17-34)

Gifts and the Nature of the Body (12:1-30)

The Hymn of Love (12:31-14:1)

Spiritual Gifts and the Upbuilding of the Body (14:1-25)

Order in Worship: worship through speaking the Word (14:26-33a)

Women and Men in Worship: How they Speak (14:33b-36)

Concluding Summary and Appeal (14:37-40)

The outline above is adapted from Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011), 409. 

Worship in the Church, a Chiastic Outline (I Corinthians 11:2-14:40)

Introduction: Apostolic traditions and worship (11:2)

Men and Women in worship: How they dress (11:3-16)

                        Order in Worship: worship through eating the Lord’s Supper (11:17-34)

Spiritual Gifts and the nature of the body (12:1-30)

The Hymn of Greatest Gift, Love (12:31-14:1)

Spiritual Gifts and the edifying of the body (14:1-25)

Order in Worship: worship through speaking the word (14:26-33a)

Women and Men in worship: How they speak (14:33b-36)

Conclusion: The Lord’s command and worship (14:37-40)

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011), 409. The outline above is another adapted from Bailey.

I Corinthians 14:26-40

 

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 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 any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Other verses that are/may be relevant:

• Acts 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
• 1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
• 1 Corinthians 11:5 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.
• 1 Corinthians 12:11 but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
• 1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

We should not bind what God has not bound, neither loose what God has not loosed. This means we need a sincere and certain look at this text, with an open heart and mind – void of the outcome for which we might wish. These verses cause irritation to the egalitarian who want no restrictions on the women’s voices in church. These verses cause discomfort to the complementarian who does not know how much silence to advocate, but does not advocate a total silencing of women in church.

 

Some of the ideas about this text, probably most of them:

• The text of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is an interpolation, not part of Paul’s original writing
• The command only applied to the specific situation in Corinth
• The command only applies to judging of prophecies
• The command only applies to speaking in tongues
• The command means absolute silence, an absolute rule in the church assembly
• “Let your women keep silence” is a Corinthian slogan which Paul quotes and refutes
• The Greek verb sigao / σιγατωσαν refers to a silence determined by the context
• The silence of the text applies only to married women

A few points about contextual silence

For women to say “amen” with others (Psalm 106:48; 1 Corinthians 14:16), to answer questions (Acts 5:7-8), to sing with the church (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), etc. (Acts 18:26), is accepted by most churches. Therefore, few think this means absolute silence.

1. The speakers in tongues are told (vv. 27-28):

• if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence (σιγάτω) in the church

2. The prophets are told (vv. 29-30):

• If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace (σιγάτω).

3. The women (with husbands) are told (vv. 34-35):

• Let your women keep silence (σιγάτωσαν) in the churches

A quote from Clement of Alexandria, in The Instructor, Book 3

Going to Church.

Woman and man are to go to church decently attired, with natural step, embracing silence, possessing unfeigned love, pure in body, pure in heart, fit to pray to God. Let the woman observe this, further. Let her be entirely covered, unless she happen to be at home. For that style of dress is grave, and protects from being gazed at. And she will never fall, who puts before her eyes modesty, and her shawl; nor will she invite another to fall into sin by uncovering her face. For this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled.

 

They say that the wife of Aeneas, through excess of propriety, did not, even in her terror at the capture of Troy, uncover herself; but, though fleeing from the conflagration, remained veiled.

What others write

• 1 Corinthians 14:33b-38 as a Pauline Quotation-Refutation Device by Kirk MacGregor
• 1 Corinthians 14:34: Did God Really Say...?
• Do Women Have to Keep Silent in the Church?
• Does Paul Require the Complete Silence of Women in Church: A Study of 1 Corinthians 14:33b-35
• “Is 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 a Marginal Comment or a Quotation? A Response to Kirk MacGregor
• Must Women Be Silent in Churches? (1 Corinthians 14:34)
• Orderly Participation or Silenced Women? Clashing Views on Decent Worship in 1 Corinthians 14
• “Silent in the Churches”: On the Role of Women in 1 Corinthians 14:33b-36
• Why Were Women Told to Keep Silent in Church?
• Women Silent in Church?
• Women “Should Remain Silent” - A Study of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35