Do women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org

According to 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 and other Bible passages, are women allowed to speak in Church? Some say, “no.” Others, “yes.” However, when considering the meaning of 1 Corinthians 14, along with passages like 1 Corinthians 11:5 and others, what does the Bible really say about women speaking in church? In this video Pastor Nelson answers the question, “Do women have to remain silent in church?”

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[rawarjoshanderson]

This topic is becoming more and more touchy but the thing about God's Word is it doesn't change with the times or culture. Thank you for bending your view to fit scripture instead of bending scripture to fit a culturally influenced view.

[bjteacher]

I'm a woman, and I support this message. Seriously though, the best thing for us is having a godly man leading the church and the home.

[mabdivinedivine]

As a woman, who have been in a church with a woman pastor whose husband is a pastor too, I understand this Scripture better.

I left that church about six years ago, where the lady had so much authority to say the least. Sometimes, there was competition in the air between husband and wife, not to mention discrepancies in interpreting some scriptures.

Please, ladies, we have to respect The Lord's order.

[flowerbomb]

“In the last days I shall poor out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy”

[strawberrymoon]

Tbh this makes me very uncomfertable because I feel like im not valued in the church and everybody just wants me to shut up because of eves sin and I almost feel like becoming agnostic at this point

[jvlp]

HISTORY Repeats itself with different scenarios... The Downfall of Mankind (loss of Immortal Life/separation from God's grace and goodness) was when ADAM listened to the VOICE of EVE to eat the forbidden fruit instead of ADAM trusting and listening only to the WORD from God... likewise, ABRAHAM listened to the VOICE of his wife SARAH to sleep with her servant HAGAR, instead of Abraham trusting and listening only to the Word of God that his wife Sarah would give birth to a son in God's due time... that was the reason why God required to TEST Abraham's Faithfulness and Trustworthiness when God asked him to sacrifice His son Isaac...

The Descendant of Abraham from Sarah's son ISAAC (Father of Israel/Jews/Judaism) should never had any CONFLICT/HATRED/QUARREL with the Descendant of Abraham from Hagar's son ISHMAEL (Father of the Arabs/Muslims/Islam)... if ONLY both Adam and Abraham listen to the VOICE (Word) of God alone...

This is one reason why St. Paul said that "WOMEN of Faith" must learn to KEEP Silent and Quiet in the Church of God in Christ Jesus... When it comes to Spiritual/Religious Church matters, God does not want "MEN (Elders) of Faith" to listen and Trust to the VOICE of the Women but only from GOD alone... Praise be to God in Christ Jesus... Amen and Amen.

[ДжейМаркович-зц]

The most curious thing is that women here do not have the right to judge the divine according to the command of the Apostle Paul (The command of God, through the Apostle Paul)

[rkp]

This is wrong, The Conext is Tongues and Prophecy but the preceeding verses of 1 Cor 14:33 are specifically reffering to "Testing Prophecy" Which is what Churches were instructed to do thats why Paul says the "Prophets are subject to the prophets"

In other words: Woman were to keep silent when it came to "Testing the prophets" It was considered a shameful thing for a woman to publicly test/challenge/question someone so Paul says, Let the Woman speak with her husband in Private about things rather than publicly test/challenge/question a "Prophet".

Its obvious that Woman are allowed to prophecy and Speak in tongues - Multiple times in the Chapter Paul uses plural words (In the GRK) to define who should prophecy

Verse 5 "I wish that you ALL spoke in tongues"

Thats all, Men and Woman.

Verse 24 But if ALL prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by ALL, he is convicted by ALL.

Again thats ALL, men and woman.

And Peter even Explains in Acts that the Holy spirit being poured out is the fufillment of Joels Prophecy that "Sons and Daughters shall prophecy"

Paul Writes that all gifts are for the edification of the Body - How can prophecy be something woman are able to do except for the one place that Paul says Gifts are for which is "The Church"

Thats like God saying: Heres a gift for the Church but you cant use it in Church (What?) That makes no sense at all.

Just a Side note that I beleive in the Complimentarian view of Men/Woman in Church NOT egalitarian but to me this Video is just a straight up misinterpretation of the text.

[le]

The power imbalance directly benefits men when women are silent because it filters down into individual homes/families. I think that men don't want to examine their attitude of heart in that, I don't think they want to face their own motives for interpreting Paul's words the way they have. So much out-of-context God's word has been used to hurt people over centuries.

[stefan]

1 Corinthians 14:34 35 Does this mean that women should not speak in church services today ? It is clear from 11 : 5 that women prayed and prophesied in public worship It is also clear in chapters 12-14 that women are given spiritual gifts and are encouraged to exercise them in the body of Christ . Women have much to contribute and can participate in worship services . In the Corinthian culture, women were not allowed to confront men in public . Apparently some of the women who had become Christians thought that their Christian freedom gave them the right to question the men in public worship . This was causing division in the church . In addition, women of that day did not receive formal religious education as did the men . Women may have been raising questions in the wor ship services that could have been answered at home without disrupting the services . Paul was asking the women not to flaunt their Christian freedom during worship. The purpose of Paul's words was to promote unity, not to teach about women's role in the church.

[londonderrry]

"As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home" (1 Corinthians 14:33-36.)

The Apostle here is appealing to the Corinthian Christians to conform to the same biblical principle practised in "all the churches of the saints", so this wasn't an isolated solution for a particular church. Paul here appeals to "the law", but where in the law does it require "submission?" In Genesis 3:16 God condemns Eve following "the fall" with these words:

"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

The patriarchal relationship is God ordained even prior to the fall, but since the fall, a deeper patriarchal relationship exists. How can a man be ruling over his wife and daughters if they are ruling over him as officer bearers in the church? It is said by some that "we know women did speak in Temples." Yes, pagan temples. In first century Jewish synagogue worship, women did not read the Scriptures.

God has every right to order and govern His own worship and we ignore and belittle that to our own peril as Divine worship is a serious thing.

Particular examples (Miriam, Deborah, etc.) do not establish a common law for the church. We seek to learn God's common law for His people from His express commandments. Otherwise, we can justify marrying two sisters like Jacob, lying as the Hebrew midwives did in Egypt, and sleeping with prostitutes like Samson. Examples in Scripture do not overturn the normal rules for God's people. It is written:

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Timothy 2:11-12.)

The question is "why?" And here the Apostle goes back to creation for an answer:

"For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (2:13-14.)

In short, Adam was created to be Eve's head, and not be her subordinate. Also Adam made a willful choice to disobey God, but Eve was "tricked." In short patriarchal rule existed prior to "the fall", but is even more severe since "the fall" and it impacts every facet of life, including office bearers in the church. The Levitical priesthood was only open to males, Jesus chose twelve male apostles, and when they replaced Judas, they only considered other males. The seven deacons chosen in Acts are all males. The qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 for office bearers requires them to be a "husband of one wife" which excludes the possibility of them being female.

The temptation is to see a woman who is an eloquent speaker, academically above her peers, more understanding, more empathetic, etc. and to prefer our own considerations over God's express command. That's essentially what Eve did in choosing the fruit. We read: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (Genesis 3:6.)

Peace.

[jvlp]

The teaching of St. Paul (1 Cor. 14:34) about Christian women that must/should learn with humility how to KEEP Quiet/Silent in the CHURCH of God in Christ... does not mean that Christian women are prohibited from being Servants/Helpers of the CHURCH... NOPE... that was not what St. Paul had meant... take for example what St. Paul wrote to the Romans, " I (St. Paul) commended unto you PHOEBE our sister (the one who carried the letter of St. Paul), who is a "SERVANT" (helper) of the CHURCH which is in Cenchrea"... (Rom. 16/paraphrase)

Take Note #1:... St. Paul did not say, "Phoebe our sister, who is a of the CHURCH... none of which was mentioned but a "SERVANT"... What St. Paul had meant was NO WOMEN to be the LEADER (Acting Priesthood) of the Church on earth... Christ Jesus is the HEAD (Priesthood) of the Church of God... but before Christ ascended back to Heaven and seated at the right side of the Throne of His Father... Christ assigned first His Apostles (All Men) Headed by St. Peter to be "Christ's Acting Priesthood" to Govern, Lead, and Manage the CHURCH of God until Christ Jesus comes back again, in God's own appointed time...

Christ Jesus did not put "IN CHARGE" any women, including Blessed Mary or Mary Magdalene in the Body of Christ to be the Church's PRIESTHOOD...
But Christian Women could be servants/helpers of the Church or even Prophetess (female prophets) if chosen and decided by God...

Take Note #2:... DEBORAH was the only Female JUDGE and PROPHETESS chosen by God in/for Israel... but she was not chosen by God as a "PRIESTESS" in the Temple of God during the Old Covenant of God... God never used any Women as PRIESTHOOD for His Temple / Synagogue... which is also the same thing with the Second (New) Covenant of God, that NO Women Leader or Acting Priesthood to the Body of Christ (the CHURCH of God)... ONLY MEN can be chosen by God to be Christ's Acting PRIESTHOOD on Earth...That is God's WILL and PREROGATIVES... (hands down, non-debatable).

Therefore, Women can be God's JUDGE or PROPHETESS... but never God's PRIESTESS for His Temple/Church for both the Old and the New Covenant of God... That is what "Silent/Quiet" in the Church is all about... When it comes to Spiritual/Religious Matters... "MAN is the HEAD of every WOMAN"... why?... for God is the Head of Christ Jesus, so as "Christ Jesus is the HEAD of every Man"... (1 Corinthians 11:3/paraphrased)... Facts and Truth, Biblically speaking... Amen.

Take Note #3:... "Judges or Prophets/Prophetess" does not INTERFERE, INTERVENE, INTERCEDE, OBSTRUCT, GET INVOLVE with the PRIESTHOOD duties, rituals, offerings, managing finances (Levitical tithes), and responsibilities in the Holy Temple / Holy Tabernacle / Synagogue or Church of God (Body of Christ)... for both Old and New Covenant/Testament of God...
But the difference between O.T. and N.T., in the Church of God in Christ, women are allowed to freely offer their voluntary SERVICES (help/assistance) in/with total submission and humility to the PRIESTHOOD... plus no more animal burnt sacrifices for the atonement of sins and other Jewish rituals... Amen.

In general, the WILL of God is that the Holy Temple/Tabernacle/Synagogue or Church of God in Christ must/should be governed, led, and managed by Men (Male Hetero-Sexual Gender) of Faith as the Acting Priesthood of Christ Jesus on Earth... with one wife only or by freely voluntary single blessed/celibate men... Amen.

Hebrews 7:12/paraphrased... "But when the PRIESTHOOD was changed, the LAW must be changed as well."... Christ Jesus is the Sole Reigning New High PRIESTHOOD of God...
Glory, Praise and Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus' name... Amen.

[jvlp]

Blessed Mary is the "Highest Role Model" for Christian Women and the Mother of Men and Women who love and believe in God (Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit)... Even though she was found "Highly Favored" by God with "Full of Grace" from the Holy Spirit, attested by Angel Gabriel, and all the "Accolades, Attributes and Salutation" she deserved, including "Blessed among Women, " in spite of all of these, she still REMAINED silent/quiet with total submission and humility to the Body of Christ (Church of God) until her last breath on Earth...

"I am the Hand-made of the Lord God, be it done according to thy WORDS/WILL." (Luke 1:38)... Not our own WILL, but God's WILL be done... (Hands down,
All Glory, Praise and Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus... Amen.

[jvlp]

In GENERAL, Yes, all Women who practice CHRISTIANITY should learn HOW to be "SILENT/QUIET" with modesty and humbleness when it comes to the CHURCH and Spiritual matters for that is the WILL of God... unless God Himself appointed a real PROPHETRESS if no man is qualified to do the task of God...

All Christian Women should look upon the modesty and humble obedient example of Blessed Mary, even though she has found "HIGHLY FAVORED" from God and with "FULL of GRACE" from the Holy Spirit than any Apostles, Disciples, Martyrs, and Saints... Blessed Mary practiced till her death to be SILENT/QUIET in the CHURCH of God in Christ.... Facts and Truth of the Matters.

Blessed Mary should be the model for all CHRISTIAN WOMEN with modesty, humbleness, and obedience to the WILL of God... Not OUR own WILL, but God's WILL be done...

Glory, Praise, and Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus' name... Amen

[jayjames]

I agree with everything but the head covering part. Paul points to creation and says it must be worn during the service, he even says the angels are present and are watching. He never alludes to the culture or what was appropriate for that time . Its a direct command. Women do not have to wear them all day, just during service.
Awesome vid 👍

[thewatcher]

YES!
The Lord himself commands Corinthians 14 33:38.
The faithful will obey, the rest won't and will even refuse to "Acknowledge" the Lord's commandment...
For as Christ has well stated:
"By their fruits shall you know them"....

[godandtodd]

The 1Corinthians chapter and verse that you provided was not the complete text did you not see that those verses that you shared was only Paul telling the Corinthians what they believed and then after those verses he corrects them with a rebuke?

He says this in his rebuke in verse 36…

“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?”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14:34-36‬ ‭KJV‬

You see he literally says what?!?… is the word of God only for you?

This is key to understanding what Paul is actually saying. He’s rebuking them in verse 36 and the previous verses was him telling the Corinthians what they believe.

[cowboys]

AMEN! It's God's order for His creation, Men should be MEN and Women should be WOMEN. No need to add more to it!! We live in a fallen world and people cant help but go against God's word.

[audreyhepburn]

Dear Gotquestions crew,
Thank you for all your great teaching !
I have a concern that I would love your input on. My church has sent a letter notifying us that women in our church are now allowed during the service, to read a Bible passage and pray before the congregation along with being able to choose the hymns to be sang. It doesn’t feel in line with what God is saying.
Please help !
God bless you !

[jvlp]

1 Corin 14:34... is about St. Paul telling the Christians that any "Spiritual/Religious Women who claimed to be Christian should/must learn how to respect SILENT in the Church of God and must not teach over Men about Church matter... This commandment is not from St. Paul but from God for St. Paul is fully guided by the Holy Spirit, what to speak, teach, and write...

God has valid reasons that all Christian Women should/must respect God's PREROGATIVE or WILL:
1. God, first created ADAM, in God's Image and Likeness, and from ADAM bone (rib) and flesh, came EVE called Woman which means "Came from Man." (ref.: Genesis 2:7-18)
2. It was ADAM and not EVE, that God commanded to SUBDUE (rule) and give Names to all God's creation, and whatever ADAM named them, so be it... (ref.: Genesis 2:19)
3. It was EVE that was DECEIVED by Satan (Old Serpent in the Garden of Eden) and ADAM was DECEIVED by EVE to disobey God by offering him to eat the forbidden fruit that caused them to LOSE their IMMORTALITY and BONDAGE (TIES) of Relationship to God thru their SIN... (ref.: 1 Timothy 2:14)... For The Wages of SIN is DEATH commonly called the ORIGINAL SIN of Mankind at the Garden of Eden...
4. The Head of Christ Jesus is God, and the Head of every Man is Christ Jesus, while the Head of every Woman is Man... (ref.: 1 Corinthians 11:3-4).
5. Man does not need to cover their head while praying or doing service to the Church of God, but Women must cover their Head with VEIL to hide their hair when praying or doing service to the Church of God as a sign of MODESTY, HONOR to her Husband (if married) and TOTAL SUBMISSION to the Authority of the Church... (Ref. 1 Corinthians 11:5-13)

These are some of God's reasons (prerogative/will) dictated by the Holy Spirit in St. Paul's Epistles... Facts and Truth, Biblically speaking... Amen...