1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
For some time I have heard this passage preached and written regarding women in ministry. I have read and heard both sides of the argument, and my role in ministry has been questioned. There are a few things that I have learned that I would like to share with you here.
The Lord has anointed many women to do Kingdom work. Some are teachers, prophets, pastors, evangelists and yes, even apostles. So in seeing these women rise up and fulfill the calling the Lord has placed upon them, how does this scripture fit in?
Well, first we need to read what the scripture says, exactly, and the time it was written in and in the context in was written.
This was written in the first century. Women sat on one side of the church, and the men on the other side of the church. Women were probably not educated as the men were. As a result, they would have questions during the sermons. Paul was literally asking them to respect the service, and to ask the questions to their husbands when they got home.
The word “speak” here in the original Greek refers to chatting, questioning and arguing.
The word “silence” refers to having a calm undisruptive spirit, and be open to learning.
Paul was emphasizing order in the church, not that women should never speak or be active in the church.
Understanding the position of women in the early Church is important because it establishes the foundation for the ministry of women in the Church today.
Women were very instrumental in the church. Let’s look at a few examples:
- Intercessors
Women in the early church were intercessors in prayer. In the city of Philippi, a group of women met by the river to pray
Act 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
- Women were recipients of the Holy Spirit
The book of Acts records that the Holy Spirit came upon all, men and women:
Acts 2:17 ‘AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAYS GOD, THAT I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH; YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS.
Acts 2:18 AND ON MY MENSERVANTS AND ON MY MAIDSERVANTS I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT IN THOSE DAYS; AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY.
- There were prophetess:
Acts 21:9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
- Women were Deacons in the church
Rom 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
The word “succourer” means one who stands before, a chief leader.
- We have an account of a woman Apostle:
Rom 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
We see here that Junia is noted as an apostle, a fellow prisoner.
As a pastor, if you have a strong conviction that women should not take an active role in ministry, then abide by your conviction for conscience sake.
I leave you with this last verse:
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
May you be richly blessed this day.
Just found this post through StumbleUpon.
I am a memeber of a denomination that has been ordaining women since it’s beginning in the 1880′s, The Church of God Anderson Indiana. While we have been ordaining women for a long time it is still hard to get a woman into a pastorate of a church because men do not want to be lead by a female. As bad as I hate to admit it that’s the way it is.
I want to agree with the blogger known as myexplorationofchristianity. It’s a matter of context and the context is disruption during the time of prophesying. This verse has been beat into people heads for so long it has become part of our culture not because of truth but because of men not wanting women to lead them.
Thanks for taking on this subject.
You didn’t mention the bit of scripture that implicitly says that women should not teach men as the word of God did not originate with them. You said about the context and time it was written, but isn’t God the same today as He was yesterday? I agree with the comment above; it is dangerous when people start interpreting scripture to fit their own agenda. What does it say in Revelation about those who take out from His word will lose their part of the rewards in the Kingdom, and those who add to His word will have the punishments added to them? I myself, while I do not question God, I do wonder why it sates that women should not be ministers. That does strike me as unfair. But I accept it as it is Gods word. Who are we to question Gods word? I think, and have learned from bitter experience that is dangerous. I used to think God accepted my (past) homosexuality because I was looking for love!! Is that scriptural? I don’t think so.
Steve, 1Timothy 2:12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
This passage is speaking to one woman, not women. It is singular, not plural. Apparently there was one woman disrupting the service and it was called to order. Hope that clears it up.
Yvette
God bless!
Also, I should mention that people have difficulties accepting a woman minister/pastor, but I find it even stranger that there is no strong definition in the Bible to say who can be a pastor, and even more so, what a pastor is. In the basic sense, a pastor is associated with a shepherding role, making sure that none of Jesus’ flock goes astray. There is nothing in the Bible about regular Sunday sermons from a pastor, and in fact, there are various. In fact, I could argue that the role of the “pastor” doesn’t even exist in the Bible!
Here are some terms that Bible translators have translated as “pastor:”
Deacon:
- Greek Diakonos ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/diakonos.html )/Diakonia ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/diakonia.html )
- Literally means a servant.
- Often times, even in the lexicon I’m linking to, it denotes that it’s an elder position in a church, but in context with the Bible, you’d never actually read that. I can assure you that the actual Greek does not imply some sort of office/position in a church building. You’ll just have to take my word for it.
Presbyter
- Greek Presbuteros ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/presbuteros.html )
- Literally means an elder, or a person who is old (no offense).
- The connection here is that it was used to refer to Jewish people who were part of the Sanhedrin, and then it became associated with a leader of people in general, and thus we see a pastor as the leader of a church body.
Finally, everyone’s favorite one, the Shepherd
- Greek Poimen ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/poimen.html )
- Literally a herdsman, or a defender of a flock. Essentially care-givers to people.
- Ephesians 4:11 associates this word, in most translations, with a pastor, and that gifting is also connected with teaching (Paul links Poimen with Didaskalos [ http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/didaskalos.html ]).
So when people complain about women pastors, what they really mean is women preachers, and from the above descriptions and the Bible, there is no issue there. It’s not a matter of authority or whom is the head of the woman. If it were a matter of headship, we’d all (men and women) be quiet and listen to Jesus. Of course, Jesus wants us to build relationships and commune with one another, and especially with Him, so there is no issue with a woman reading from scripture and teaching people what the Bible says.
Actually, in the 1st century, there was no church building, no pews, or anything that resembles the church today. The church of that day was simply a community of faithful Christians.
The word “speak” is just that, to speak (see: http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/laleo.html ).
To be silent, is just as it means in English, too (see: http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/sigao.html ).
In fact, in context with what a church was, there was no official service to be quiet through.
So, the case for women being silent as a means to stop disruption is actually fairly poor. Regardless, I still can’t believe that Paul would tell people that women are not permitted to speak in their community. So, in context, what other options are there?
What seemed to be the real issue is women interrupting prophetic words. In context, the verse you’re examining is actually part of a bigger idea found in 1 Corinthians 14:31-35. Paul then concludes that she should discuss what was prophesied later with her husband at home.
So, we have to move to the key word that unlocks the full verse for us, to permit. In greek, this is Epitrepo (see: http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/epitrepo.html), and it can mean a few things. Not only does it mean to be “allowed” but it also means to be given permission. Culturally in the middle east, even to this day, women have a certain level of oppression. This doesn’t mean that men, on an individual level, have any less respect for women, but culturally, they don’t know anything else.
So when a woman isn’t given permission to speak, and they speak anyway, it can be a problem, especially in that culture. It was especially disruptive when people were prophesying and were interrupted by women asking questions trying to learn what was going on, and what was being said.
The biggest issue I have with people’s interpretation on 1 Corinthains 14:34 is that it’s a teaching by Paul. Paul was a great guy, but he was not Jesus. Who teaches? The creator or the creation? Maybe Paul had a point, but certainly you would think that Jesus would have taught something that would make Paul’s teaching more applicable.
Yvette,
Thanks for this wonderful post. I myself am an egalitarian , but I was once a hardcore complementarian who believed passages like 1 Cor 14:34f and 1 Tim 2:12ff were meant to exclude women from the ministry.
I enjoyed your post, and I believe there are even better arguments out there for egalitarianism. For example, the use of the masculine diakonis used to describe Phoebe suggests a role akin to that of the pastoral office. Furthermore, your discussion of Junia is very appropriate. If women could be even apostles, then there should be no role excluded them. Origen and a few other church fathers noted this.
I tend to take the passages taken as being against women in the ministry as not just cultural references, but also universal commands. However, the command is not “women are not to teach/preach/etc.” but in 1 Cor 14 it is “do not disturb the order of worship” which makes sense in the context. In 1 Tim 2 the command is not that women are to be silent for all time, but that “if there are people spreading falsehoods about Christ, it is better for all to be silent–even a whole gender–rather than allowing the heresy to spread.”
One can see cases like this in the Hebrew Scriptures as well. Laws Deuteronomy 22:8 which requires people to put a “parapet” on their roof do not specifically apply because we don’t hang out on our roofs. But that doesn’t mean there is no command here. The command could be seen as “if there is a dangerous aspect in your home, you are obligated to put in safety precautions” so if you have a pool, put a fence around it.
Anyway, I’m so long winded [written?], I apologize. I just wanted to comment. Thanks for the interesting post.
To allow experience precedence over the clear meaning of scripture is bad hermeneutic:
“So in seeing these women rise up and fulfill the calling the Lord has placed upon them, how does this scripture fit in?”
Yes, women serve in roles that were not meant for them. It doesn’t make it right.
The cultural / context method of dividing the word is useful for justifying feminism and other worldly attitudes but it doesn’t wash when lined up with other scriptures dealing with women’s roles. Paul’s own explanation of why women should be silent has to be sept under the rug in order to justify female pastors & teachers. FYI his reasons have nothing to do with architecture or education. The word is plain and clear. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to obey it.
Women most certainly do have a significant role within the church. Pastoral and teaching roles are not part of them.
I would like to challenge you to read the book, “Why Not Women?” by Loren Cunningham and David Joel Hamilton. This explains in detail the role of women in the church. The scripture says the followins:
1Ti 2:12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
If you notice, the word woman is singular, speaking to one woman only. You cannot base doctrice out of one scripture, you would have to study several scriptures to come to a conclusion, doing so is bad hermeneutics.
Ahem: http://bible.cc/1_timothy/2-12.htm I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.
So many wrong teachings come from people trying to fit the Bible to the way they would like it.
The Word says:
“1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive.”
So it is written. Let your woman be silent in church.
As stated, if that is your conviction that is fine, but there is much much more to that verse, and this has caused much controversy and mis- understanding. The gifts in the church are not given to men only, and women have been very instrumental in the church, and will continue to do so. If you are up to the challenge, I would like to suggest for you to read a book titled, Why Not Women? A Biblical study of women in Missions, Ministry and Leadership. This will remove the veil and cause you to receive what the Lord has for his church, through anointed men and women.
As a side note, when I preach, I do not see myself as a women preaching, but an anointed ambassador from the Lord, called to do what He has called me to do, with the backing of my husband and male pastor. Perhaps you should try to see women in the pulpit not as women, but as anointed leaders the Lord has placed in the church.
Blessings!
Yvette
Thank you for this explanation! I have been troubled with this for some time. It’s hard to apply some passages to your life and current times.
I believe the word of God lays out the order at how he wants things to be starting in Genesis. Women are a very essential in God’s kingdom, but I don’t believe he has called women to be ministers. There is a difference in ministering and being a minister of a church body. As Christians we should all minister to those around us and reach the unbelievers to bring them into the body of Chirst. It was the women who was tricked by the serpent and was the gateway to sin into the world. Now with that being said Adam should have followed what God told him to do, but he didn’t. It was Adam’s failure that brought an end to eternal life because he was in charge.
Titus 1 lays out the frame work of what an Elder/Bishop should be. Titus 1:6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. A women could never have a wife because that would be against God. Now this is in no way a means to give men a free pass to do whatever they want with women or treat them any kind of way because the bible tells us to love our wives as God loves the church which speaks volumes. I would never go to a church with a women as a leader. Not because of my own opinion, but what I believe the word of God teaches.
It could be just me, but isn’t the bible ‘the word of god’ shouldn’t it transcend culture, time and place? I donno about you, but if you’re going to buy into something, you can’t be all wishy washy about it, it’s all or nothing. Right? Isn’t his word law? confusing and unconclusive business it is, lol, I think I’ll stick with my science and imperical evidence please.
Hey! God Bless!
your article is an interesting one, and i certainly agree on the deaconess stuff. I am still hesitant on women as pastors though when I think of what I see in scripture as far as authority, headship, ‘father’ and shepherding.
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I had a pastor one time mention Galatians 3:28 as justification for a woman to serve as a shepherd/pastor. I read a bit more of this context, and i think that the passage is addressing salvation through Christ, that all can have it in equality, no? I know I may seem to be a disagreeing person, but i just used “StumbleUpon” and came across your article
I was wondering though, and I mean this sincerely and kindly as I inquire.
It seems weird to me though for a family to look to a husband as a certain authority because he is the man, and a wife as with a different and complimentary responsibility, but yet in a church body, for the husband, wife and children to look to a female pastor as a head, when the wife was within her husbands leadership because she was a female wife, and he was a male husband. thoughts? if i have offended anyone with anything NOT biblical, then I am sorry.
I know that God refers to himself as Father, and in the scriptures the only people to function as shepherds(pastors) seemed to be men I think. I also know that Jesus mentioned how he longed to gather Jerusalem as a hen gathers her chicks. I am just trying to be honest. I think it is probably significant that God refers to himself as Father, and that Jesus is the head of the church, and that a husband is to be the head of the wife, and LAY DOWN HIS LIFE for her. With the role of husband and wife described, among other things in the NT, I just honestly am hesitant to accept a woman being in a role of authority over a church body as a leader/person in charge. I really hope I do not seem offensive. I have thought tho, that the role given to a husband, or stated to that of an elder in the church seems to be one of authority that was distinct from the majority of ways that both men AND women could serve. What are your thoughts? I hope I have not offended. I honestly am asking for the sake of truth and understanding and obedience. I know Paul seems to affirm deaconesses and i am not disputing that.
Sincerely, Alastair
Hello Alastair
Thank you for comments, and no, I am not offended.
I have been on both sides of the isle on this issue, and have observed women as pastors and in leadership roles. I have seen both men and women abuse their authority, and have hesitated in stepping into the calling the Lord has called me to.
This is a large subject, and one that I only touched on slightly. But yes, women are subject to their husbands, I agree as that is what the word says. Also, there is a difference when one has a spiritual calling, for when one is called, it is not given to gender. My husband and pastor, who is a male, has released me and authorized me to function my role in the ministry, as they see there is a spiritual gifting and I nor they desire to hinder the work of the Lord.
Junia who was called an Apostle is the highest leadership role. I have yet to come across any Apostle that has not preached a message! Notice the wording in Timothy, Paul says I do not permit, not God. Paul as a spiritual father to these churces has every right to decide if women should preach, teach or hold any position of office. But to examine the scripture carefully, one should study all of Pauls teachings. His main concern was placing order in the church.
If my husband and pastor decide that I should no longer preach or teach, then I must and will submit to their authority, because if I decide to go forth against their will, then I will be out their covering.
Hope this helps some
This is probably the best explanation I’ve read about the context of this text. Even though I see the bible with other eyes, I do understand that being able to have females “preach” and teach is an excellent step towards spreading “the word”. I wish more Christians would be able to see this subject in this light.
I’m so glad you addressed this issue that has been with the church for so long and so long misunderstood! What a wonderful explanation. I hope you don’t mind if I use your arguments when talking to others about this
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Blessings back at you sister!
sure, any time!
Blessings,
Yvette
Thanks so much for this great post, Yvette