Women in Church
This passage is not black and white. it is not strickly saying that women cannot speak in church. We have to consider the whole chapter, what was going on in the church, and most of all, the spirit of God throughout the Bible. Corinth at that time had a lot of baby Christians and there was a lot of disorder. People were getting saved and receiving the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophecying, but, there was no order. This was causing confusiton and was prompting questions. Paul was trying to draw the line of order by telling women to be quiet in church. In the very next verse, he says, "If you want to learn something, ask your husband, as the law says." He goes even further to say that it is "shameful for a woman to speak in church". This is because she is under her husband. She should ask her husband and if there is still a question, HE should ask the church. It's actually common sense, which at the time and in the culture, was not all that common becuase they simply didn't have the social grace and order that we have in society today. If you have a question in church, not even a MAN will just blurt it out, he will probably turn to his wife. :) In Christ, women can be just as gifted as men and just as effective in ministering to believers (Gal 3:28 says "In Christ there is neither male nor female...) But, there IS a headship. Even Christ had a headship. Man is the head of women. He is also her covering. It really is a beautiful spiritual order between husband and wife. However, in 1 Tim 2:12, Paul does say that women should not teach nor be in authority over man. Notes entitled "Women Teachers" coming soon.
Created about 1 year ago
