Was Women's Silence ADDED to the Bible? [1 Corinthians 14:34-35]

1 Corinthians 14 34-35 contains two controversial verses about women being silent in church. It's a passage often brought up in Christian circles when discussing women's church ministry, especially women preaching. However, these verses were probably added to the text later. In this video I explore why most scholars think these verses are an interpolation.

Should women remain silent in church? 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Explained. Are Women Permitted to Speak in Church? What Does 1 Corinthians 14 Mean When It Says That Women Are to Keep Silent in the Church?

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This channel is now known as Tablets and Temples, unpacking ancient history and religion. Formerly known as Bible Unboxed.

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In the video, I claimed that most scholars view these verses as a later addition. This claim comes from two sources:

Additionally, The New Oxford Annotated Bible has this to say about 33b-36:

"Many scholars regard this passage as a later non-Pauline addition, because it disrupts the flow of the argument from v. 33a to v. 37; it contradicts the assumption of 11.5 that women will prat and prophesy in the assembly; it resembles the viewpoint of the Deutero-Pauline letters (see 1 Tim 2.9-15); it exhibits non-Pauline sentiments, e.g. v. 34b, as the law also says, and vv. 34-35 appear after 14.40 in some manuscripts."

Payne cites evidence discussed in The Textual History of the Greek New Testament: Changing Views in Contemporary Research, ed. K. Wachtel and M. Holmes (Atlanta: SBL, 2011), page 58

Payne and the sources he cites have thus far relied on analysis of the ink of the markings, they have also stated that they are awaiting further more advanced ink analysis which should provide more clarity on the question of dating the markings.

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More general sources:

Discussion of Codex Vaticanus: Philip B. Payne, “Fuldensis, Sigla for Variants in Vaticanus, and 1 Cor 14.34-5,” NTS 41 (1995) 240-50, 261.

You'll find the traditional view argued in the commentaries of Brock/Wannenwetsch (2016), Ciampa/Rosner (2010), Garland (2003), Nash (2009), Perkins (2012), and Thiselton (2000) - However, my main criticism of these commentaries is that even several of the newer ones rely on quite dated arguments, and don't critically engage with the alternative views.

Topics:

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[rosdavis]

Very interesting. That verse has always seemed to me to be completely out of step with Pauls other writings and his support of women leaders in the church

[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.

[TabletsAndTemples]

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[kready]

What about the fact that these sentiments were repeated in 1 Timothy 2:11-12?

[angelonzuji]

I just want to thank you for taking time to respond to the comments because there are some comments …

[mnageh-bomm]

Always the best topics, mate . Keep it up 🔥🔥
I made a meme about dis verse on a Christian page and the comments were like a war :"|

[tjtjmichp]

Women aren't allowed to speak,
🗿 Paul: WTF

[Luisa_Ribeiro]

That was really informative! Something I always wonder about is the passage where they mention specifically "homosexuals" not entering heaven, as that term is new. I would love a video that does a deep dive on that :)

[diansc]

I'd also love to see a video on the rule of women wearing veils in this book

[jessievelusamy]

I can understand one thing whoever manipulated received its fruits. Entire women's race were subdued and oppressed with this verse? In my entire life, the only man who led me was my father alone and no one. Not applicable to me.

[brianhoppy]

If people dismiss Revelation 22 : 18 -19 . They don`t believe the WORD. The one who became flesh and walked among us . I just hope they will one day . Pride is such a rampant curse, that`s for sure. The scripture that describes the consequence of our dismissal of Him, The Lord Jesus Christ is super scary . But I guess, if you don`t believe, you don` believe. That`s the way it is . Individuals need to read the bible 1st hand . NKJV > Don`t blindly follow human beings God is not a man that He should lie . Let the bible inform you .

[traceysheneman]

Nothing is hidden from God.

Jeremiah 8:8, "How can you say, 'We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us'? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie."

[ClaytonRyan]

This is a pretty slippery slope towards liberalism - why not treat all tricky or contentious verses this way? Literal Bible translations includes the verses as they stand without comment. And until I saw this, I’ve never come across a commentary or preacher that has held these verses might have been added later. To hold this view means the Bible is not fallible, and therefore not trustworthy. That’s a pretty scary place to be…

[fireee]

Any man (such as Payne) who can't understand the context of 1 Cor 14:34-35 ought to go back to third grade.

The context of verse 34 is tongues, it has nothing to do with a business meeting.

A woman is allowed to testify in church (Psalms 107:2)
A woman is allowed to sing in church (Psalms 150:6)

There are woman in the NT that prophecy, although not in the assembly (Acts 21:9), however, according to (1 Cor 11:15) implies a woman "might" prophecy in church:

When is comes to learning anything from tongues/prophecy in the church, the woman is to be under the teaching authority of her husband.

These "scholars" are from hell, seriously...

[russellcraddock]

Paul never said that women couldn't speak in church! In the Greek manuscripts. The septums. Clearly says women shouldn't chatter in church. Meaning running THIER mouths when the word of.gpd is being taught! However that also goes for men and children as well! No one should have THIER mouths open. When the word of God is being taught if you think you have more things to say in church than what the words of God has then leave go outside and have your conversation. There! Or stay home! Some churches will escort you out the door. PDQ that applies to men women girls boys doesn't matter! They say Paul was against women nothing is further from the truth! Romans chapter 16 heeps much praise on women PRICCILA. Who was a teacher of God word even better than her husband AQUILLA was even had a church in their very own house! Julie and others! In the old testament we have Miriam Mosses and Aaron sister she taught the word You also have DEBORAH a judge who lead the Israelites in battle. Gaining victory again and again. Where no man had the courage. To stand up and fight! You have Rayhab. Not a teacher but hid out the spies under her Manny rows and rows of flax to make great linen for clothes and such even in the linage of our savior Jesus Christ! YOU have Tamar the daughter -in-Law. Of Juda playing the role of keeping the link between mother Mary. And Jesus Christ! Even fooling j king Juda when he asked her one day in the market place FOR She became pregnant and King Juda servant that told Judas that his daughter -in-Law was with child when she was a widow! And she was summoned to the King and. The king asked who was the man that did this to you? I think it's a little GOD humor when she said who owns this Ring THEASE bracelets and this staff, ? Oops! HAGUHA the head of the University for religious studies. And king joran. Had a question on the meaning of a scripture. In the Torah guess who answered his question? That's right a woman! ! The Virgin daughters of king HESAKI when he and all of his sons were killed by the king of Babylon. And after that putting out HESKIA eyes dragging him back to BABALON to die! Jeremiah taking his daughters first to Egypt then to Europe and to Scotland one I'd the daughters founded that country and one of her future offspring married King James! You have heard of King James right? The Bible named after him? Then we have Phillip and his four virgin daughters who went from town to city and back. Teaching the word of God where ever they went! So women should shut up In church! Don't think so?

[sovl]

LOL, now you're starting to directly question the authenticity of the HOLY BIBLE!

[KeylaTaveras-uwwt]

Don't add or take away from God's word. God's word is sufficient. It's like your saying God is a liar. Repent.

[merbear]

Corinthians 11 obviously speaks of women prophesying in church, in ch. 14 it is in context referring to women speaking out of turn in church. Read the verses in context and derive the original meaning of the words used in Greek.

Moreover, men and women have different roles. Stop trying to make everything clean and palatable for an easily offended 21st century audience.

And also no, there is no “majority” of people who contend this was “added later, ” it is simply a way of not having to address the reality of the text and a cop out; sadly it undermines the authority of the text. And moreover if you think it “contradicts” ch.11 then why would the supposed person who “corrupted” ch.14 not also delete from ch.11? Please stop doing such a disservice to your listeners.

[KeylaTaveras-uwwt]

@BibleUnboxed Don't add or take away from God's word. God's word is sufficient. It's like your saying God is a liar. Repent.