For Christians, may I ask a question regarding woman's role in the Church?

Question

1 Corinthians 14:33-35 states, "...As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church."

This is New Testament scripture (not Old Testament) so it falls within the new covenant.

How do you interpret this passage in your Church?

Does your Church permit women to teach, lead singing, preach, fill leadership roles, pass the Lord's Supper?

If so, how do you square it with Paul's guidance?

I believe this is a legitimate issue about which many Churches struggle today.

Answer 1

I agree , that is a legitimate issue. I do believe women should allow the men to lead in the church. But I also notice alot of woman leading in areas where the men don't want to go....Wed. Nite Suppers, Socials, teaching small children, or keeping the babies. All of which are impt. Are the men going to teach the GA's (Girls In Action) I had alot of women who influenced me in the church. Strong knowledgeable of the bible women can have a great impact on a little girl....especially if her mother or parents are not going to church. Men are the leaders and should be but I think God recognizes that the women are the helpers. They help in singing in the choir, teaching , and other leadership roles. I can't imagine a church without the women being able to speak. There are so many times when the men don't step up to the plate and act as the spiritual leader in the home...my Dad and husband are two of them....what would I have done if my Mom and Grandmother had not taken me to church and taught me all that they know....I believe husbands should have the last say in church, deacons, preachers and all the other men leaders.....but if a man doesn't .....I don't think God will punish her. Sometimes it is a sin to remain silent.

Answer 2

Question: "Do women have to remain silent in church?"



Answer: 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 states, "...As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." At first glance, this seems to be a blanket command that women are not allowed to speak at all in the church. However, 1 Corinthians 11:5 mentions women praying and prophesying in the church - and does not condemn it. Therefore, 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 must not be an absolutely command for women to always be silent in church.



The context of 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 is talking about interpreting and understanding the gifts of tongues and prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:26-32). Therefore, 1 Corinthians 14:34 is not commanding women to be absolutely silent in the church all the time. It is only saying that women should not participate when tongues and/or prophecy is being interpreted and tested (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 John 4:1). This is in agreement with 1 Timothy 2:11-12 which says that women should not teach or have authority over men. If women were involved in deciding whether a prophecy was truly from God, they would be disobeying what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:11-12. Therefore, Paul tells women to be silent when tongues and prophecy are being interpreted so that they will not be disobeying God’s Word.
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Isn't it kind and loving how men jumped on that scripture to deny women their rightful place?

Answer 3

It depends on which Christian religion you ask. Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, Mormons (though they aren't true Christians) and such. I am Catholic. Religious women can be nuns/sisters. I don't think any other Christian church has nuns. Women in the Catholic church are to be submissive to the Lord and their husbands. That natural, I think. We teach children their religion classes (most teachers are women in public, religious schools and at home for home-schoolers. That's been the role for generations). We sing in church and have chorus leaders that are men and some are women. That depends of who is available and who volunteers for that lead role. In the Catholic Church, women do not preach. Women and men can read the first two readings and the priest reads the Gospel and says a homily. Women and men share in the role of giving out the Body and Blood of Christ during Holy Eucharist along with the priest. When my parents were young, only the priest gave out the Holy Eucharist. There were more priests and every church had one or two priests each. Today some cities have 3-6 churches and only 2-3 priests. So the priest consecrates the hosts and wine and has Eucharistic Ministers (blessed beforehand) come up to the altar and the priest hands them the cup or the hosts and they give it to the parishioners.

I have seen within some Catholic Churches that women are taking larger roles. No, not larger roles, they have the same roles but have vocalized their opinions much more and louder. My parish has 2 nuns that seem to be the "leaders". We also have two priests but I see the nuns more in the Church and hear their voices more in the hallways. Feminism is spreading and our 2 nuns are bring in New Age things and meditation groups instead of prayer groups and having talks about "how to find yourself and find God", holding Reiki and Yoga groups and other things. These are against the Church according to the Second Vatican Council. (not sure of prior). I see the religious roles becoming spiritual roles. This isn't in accord with Christ and His teachings. I still attend Mass and receive Communion because I want to and need to but I stay away from the feminist crap. God is my Father and I am His daughter. I am orthodox in my faith and see problems within the Catholic Church because of feminism. I voice my opinion and pray and will see what happens.

Answer 4

I think the verse is pretty clear. Women are to remain silent in the church. Also consider 1 Timothy 2:11-12, "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence."

A woman who teaches a mixed class that includes Christian men or who stands before the assembly and preaches from the pulpit is usurping authority and is not remaining silent.

People only struggle with this issue because they don't want to follow God's will.

Answer 5

All of chapter 14 is about speaking in tongues, something I've never personally seen. It doesn't happen much anymore. That chapter is about regulations for an orderly way to share that particular gift with the congregation. Also in that chapter, Paul encourages prophesy, and downplays speaking in tongues, although he doesn't forbid it. In my church, yes women play a major part in teaching, singing, worship, as well as leadership roles. Deacons (men) pass the Lord's supper.

Answer 6

I believe that my church adheres to the standards set by Paul in the New Testament. For example, women do not preach or teach in our church except if it's to other women or children, per the Bible. I had serious issues with this when I renewed my faith in the Lord, but have since then reconciled my personal views with the Bible. Society's views on the role of women will constantly change, but is very consistent in the Bible. And by studying the Bible, I know how much respect and love is shown to women by the Lord. God instructs us to do things that are good for us, whether we agree or not. If you choose to look at it as restrictions, then you will be miserable.

Answer 7

In the Church that I attend, women do not lead singing, pass the Lord's Supper, give public prayer, preach, act as deacons or elders, teach adult classes. We are nonetheless very busy.

I struggle with this passage. And I study and pray. One reason I enjoy this forum so much is I can voice my thoughts and opinions much more freely than at Church. Before I married and had children, I sometimes felt like I could not see a satisfying role in my Church. But when I married, my life became full and this issue receded.

Now I am going through some personal struggles. I am separated but not divorced from my husband. And I again feel sometimes that my voice may not be heard as loudly as I would like at my Church.

But though I may not agree with my Church on some issues, the people at my Church have been there for me with incredible love. My husband went through a terrible depression several years back and he ended up losing his job. We had to sell our home.

I had not worked in years, because I stayed home with my children. The elders at my Church stepped in and helped me get a job. They helped us financially. They helped counsel us as I struggled with the transition from stay at home mother to supporting my family.

To me this is what being a Christian is about. It's about the love I feel from my Church and that I feel for the wonderful men and women who attend there. Yes, we disagree. And I may feel that they are old fashioned in some of their beliefs. But as I write this I am crying, because they have helped me so much.

We Christians may struggle with the meaning of many passages in the Bible. These words were written in another language to people living in a culture thousands of years old. But I cannot think of any place else you can find the connection, the community that a good Church can offer. I loved college. I enjoy my job that I now have. But these places cannot offer the real spiritual fulfilment I get from my Church and the real, practical get involved in my life help that I have gotten from my brothers and sisters in Christ.

So I will keep attending this Church. And we will keep studying scripture and praying. And that's how I deal with this issue.

Answer 8

The church at Corinth had many problems. Paul chastised the men for their lenient attitude. Therefore he was telling the men that they needed to step up and be the leaders. It does not mean that women must remain silent for all times, or in all churches.
Women do have a very important role in the church. But they should not be leaders of men. They can lead other women and children.

Answer 9

Women need a covering of their husband, and a churhc. They are allowed to do everything you mentioned except preach or be the Head of a church. That place was given exclusively to males, for Eve was the first tempted, and the bible says that women are the weaker vessel. By God's statutes, men are to be leaders in the Church, in the home, in the nation. Women cannot be placed as Head of a church.

Answer 10

The Church that I go to, we do not believe that women should not preach!! Now, women do lead singing and they do get up and testify, if you know what I mean!! We women do take part in the Lord's supper too, and there are women Sunday School teachers, but, just for the little kids, not the adults!!!