Women Keep Silent in the Churches

1
Women Keep Silent in the Churches

• 1 Corinthians 1434-35
• 1 Timothy 212-13

2
Women Keep Silent?

• Very touchy subject in todays society.
• Passages are misinterpreted, misrepresented, and
  ignored by many.
• Many have great distain for Pauls instruction
  here.
• Nevertheless, it is an issue that must be dealth
  with.
• As a command of God, this issue requires just as
  much attention as every other command of God (1
  Cor. 1437).
• In order to come to a proper understanding of it
  we must set our minds on the things of God and
  not man.

3
Introduction

• As some read this text they are concerned that
  God (or Paul) is diminishing the role of women.
• However, God shows us that this is not His
  intention.
• Throughout the scriptures God shows equality
  between men and women.
• 1 Pet. 37 They are equal heirs in the kingdom.
• Gal. 326-27 Spiritually, there is no
  distinction.
• He does, however, distinguish between the
  different roles of men and women, just as with
  every other part of the church body.
• Every body has different parts which are equally
  members of the same body.
• 1 Cor. 1212-19

4
1 Corinthians 1212-19
Not a Body
5
1 Corinthians 1212-19
Not a Body
6
1 Corinthians 1212-19
Many MembersOne Body
Not a Body
1 Cor. 1218
7
Introduction

• In passages such as 1 Cor. 1434-35 God is
  describing the organization His body requires in
  order to function properly.
• In order for us to be able to apply His
  instruction we have to receive His words with
  meekness (James 121).
• Not quickly come to false conclusions.
• Not take offense if different than what we want.
• Rather, understand to the best of our ability and
  obey its commands (1 Cor. 1437).

8
The Context1 Corinthians 1434-35

• Pauls discussion does not begin here.
• It begins back in 121, Now, concerning
  spiritual gifts
• He ends it in 1440. What his purpose for the
  discussion?
• Let all things be done decently and in order (1
  Cor. 1440).
• He is instructing the body (the church) on how to
  organize itself in the worship services in a
  decent and orderly manner.
• Since their services included miraculous gifts,
  there are some points of discussion that dont
  necessarily apply to us today.
• But the principles behind them certainly do.

9
The Context1 Corinthians 1434-35

• Chapter 12 A single body is made up of many
  members.
• Members must fulfill their own function
  (1217-18).
• They must cooperate in a loving and considerate
  manner (1223-26).
• Chapter 13 A functioning body require love from
  all of its members.
• The gifts will cease (138).
• But love will never fail.
• Therefore every member must work out of love for
  the others.

10
The Context1 Corinthians 1434-35

• Chapter 14
• The Benefit of prophecy over tongues (1-5)
• Tongues only profitable when understood by all
  (6-12)
• All things be done with understanding (13-19)
• Tongues are for a sign, not for those who believe
  (20-25)
• Many elements in a service, but all must be
  edifying (26).

11
The Context1 Corinthians 1434-35

• Chapter 14
• Vs. 27-28 Speak in tongues is orderly only if
  there by an interpreter.
• If no interpreter, tongue speaker keep silent in
  the church.
• Can he sing with the rest? Yes.
• Can he say amen? Yes.
• Silent means he cannot lead the congregation by
  speaking in tongues.
• Vs. 29-33 Prophets speak in turn as each
  receives a revelation.
• If another receives a revelation while the first
  is speaking, let the first be silent.
• Can he sing with the rest? Yes.
• Can he say amen? Yes.
• But cannot lead the congregation by prophesying
  after his turn.

12
The Text1 Corinthians 1434-35

• Now we come to our text
• Let your women keep silent in the churches, for
  they are not permitted to speak.
• How does this fit into the context?
• Tongue speakers to lead in their turn.
• Prophets to lead in their turn.
• Women not to have a turn in roles of leadership
  of the church, therefore concerning leadership
  they are to be silent.
• Can they sing? Yes.
• Can they say amen? Yes.
• But in terms of leadership they are to be silent.

13
The Text1 Corinthians 1434-35

• That is the thrust of Pauls comments. Women are
  not to fill roles of leadership or take authority
  over men in the assembly of the church.
• What about Bible classes? Vs. 35 says they cannot
  ask questions.
• To understand the nature of this instruction we
  must again connect it with its context.

14
The Text1 Corinthians 1434-35

• Look again at the instructions for the prophets
• It extends from vs. 29-38.
• The prophecies were to be given.
• Then they were to be examined by the rest in
  order to determine their authenticity and to gain
  proper understanding (since there was no complete
  Bible at the time).
• Prophets to practice self-control and not be
  arrogant.
• The instruction to women is given smack in the
  middle of this section (vs. 34-35). Why?

15
The Text1 Corinthians 1434-35

• Why mention women? Because women may have desired
  to take part in the examination of the prophets.
• We know women were not to take leadership in the
  assembly, but what if they just wanted to ask the
  prophet to clarify something?
• Examining the prophets in such a way was the role
  of the leaders in the assembly, most likely the
  other prophets (vs. 29).
• For one to examine a prophet in such a way would
  have been to exert authority.
• In such a context, Paul said that women were not
  to speak, not even to ask questions.
• If they had a question about the prophecy they
  could ask another man in a private setting
  (husband or someone else).
• But they were not to exercise authority by
  speaking out in the services.

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The Text1 Corinthians 1434-35

• It should also be pointed out that there was no
  distinction between worship services and classes
  in the NT.
• The assembly was the assembly and where men were
  present women were to participate in the assembly
  in submission (vs. 34).
• Today the teacher may ask questions of the whole
  congregation to which all are welcome to respond.
  Such is still in submission.
• However, women should be careful that they do not
  become overconfident so as to speak out in such a
  way that exerts authority in the assembly.
• If error is taught the men need to deal with it
  in an expedient manner.
• If one of the women pick up on an error that was
  taught, let her bring it to the attention of one
  of the men in a private setting so that it can be
  dealt with in an expedient manner.

17
The Text1 Corinthians 1434-35

• What about women reading scripture in classes?
• Our reading scripture was the equivalent of their
  giving a prophesy.
• Therefore it remains the same for both, women
  keep silent in the churches.
• Paul gives little in the way of explanation in
  this passage.
• His explanation was already given in a previous
  discussion in chapter 11.
• Paul also gives an explanation in 1 Tim. 211-15.
  
• Each of these passages will be dealt with
  individually in future lessons.

18
Conclusion

• As we conclude let us understand that submission
  is not humiliating, nor is it degrading,
  therefore none should take offense at it.
• In the husband/wife relationship both are to be
  submissive to one another in their own turn (1
  Cor. 73-4).
• In the organization that God has set forth Christ
  is in submission to the Father, man to Christ,
  women to man (1 Cor. 113).
• Is Christ humiliated because He is in submission
  to the Father?
• Neither should women be humiliated because they
  are in submission to men.
• According to Gods pattern each member of the
  body receives honor in its own time and in its
  own way.
• When men alter Gods pattern that is no longer
  the case.
• Therefore let us heed Pauls words as instructed
  in 1 Cor. 1437.