Women Should Be Silent in Churches: What Did Paul Mean?
Listen to this Article Few verses spark as much debate about women in the church as Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 14:33-35: “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.” At first glance, this seems absolute. But earlier in the same letter, Paul affirms women praying and prophesying publicly (1 Cor. 11:5). How do we reconcile this? Did Paul contradict himself? Or is there more going on here? Let’s see what Paul is really addressing. The Problem of Disruption Corinth was a noisy, chaotic church. In chapters 11-14, Paul tackles disorder in worship: Divisions at the Lord’s Supper (ch. 11). Misuse of spiritual gifts (ch. 12). A lack of love in ministry (ch. 13). Everyone speaking at once in tongues or prophecy (ch. 14). Paul is not suddenly silencing half the congregation. He is correcting disruptions that derailed worship. What Kind of “Speaking”? The Greek word lalein (“to speak”) is broad. In conte...
