Why does the bible say "women ought to keep silence in the churches"?

Question

1Co 14:34 KJV

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.

Answer 1

First, let me say this: the most likely answer to this question will undoubtedly not please everyone. But truth is not considered true because it is accepted by everyone.

This command comes from Paul (although many scholars have attempted to remove from his letters those teachings which they disagree with) in a letter. There is a context to be examined. 1 Cor. 14:29-33 says:

(29)Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. (30)And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. (31)For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. (32)The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. (33)For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints...

This part of the letter is establishing how worship should proceed. At the end of this discussion we find the statement "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way" (1 Cor. 14:40). D. A. Carson, who I am attempting to paraphrase, essentially says that women were not allowed to evaluate the revelations discussed in the paragraph that proceeds the "don't talk" command. He also addresses numerous shortcomings of other theories by going back to the Greek. This truly scholarly article should not be overlooked by those who seek an answer.

Also, for those interested in context, see 1 Cor. 11 (specifically vs. 2-16). In this passage, women are permitted to participate in praying and prophesying in the church. Out loud. Talking. However, if you take the time to read the passage (this is the hard part), you will find that Paul does indeed say that women are created in submission to men. Don't misunderstand submission though; this is not slavery, this is not inferiory. Men and women have different roles, and one role that man uniquely holds is leadership. This does not mean that women cannot lead. Actually this is a whole other question altogether. Those interested in understanding the role of women and men in light of Scripture should see the source I cite down below.

Lastly, Biblical doctrine concerning men and women is not chauvinistic. Ephesians 5:25:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

While certainly there is a difference in roles between men and women, both benefit from fulfilling their God-given roles.

Everyday life certainly reveals differences between women and men, even as psychology and other disciplines make discoveries. In the book I have mentioned several times, the editor argues that men and women find this complementary (not hierarchical) interaction amazing--more so than an equality that tries to force men and women into the same mold. And often, we see a difference in gender and take it too far (the Doctrine of Two Spheres has played a huge--and I would argue, detrimental--role in US history). But these failures do not negate the beauty of a relationship where men love and seek the best for women, who in turn follow their guidance.

Lastly, sorry about the name that shows up for me--I used Yahoo Answers a long time ago and I couldn't get my nickname so I shortened it to make an account. And Yahoo doesn't want people making multiple accounts. It's not a joke and I'm not trying to offend people.

I quote the New International Version

Answer 2

In the Jewish and Christian culture when the Bible was written, there was a concept now called "Federal Headship." This means that the male is the one who represents his descendents. This headship is not about having the upper hand nor is it to mean that a woman has no rights or is a second class citizen. On the contrary, God tells the husband some very seroius commands: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless," (Eph. 5:25-27). The headship issue is an issue of order, not of who is better or more important. The husband is the head of the wife in the family and he has the responsibility of guiding his family to a closer relationship with the Lord. God will require it of him on the day when all our deeds are judged by God. In fact, it is a custom for both genders to stay silent as far as PROPHECY goes - not praise. Go back to Chapter 11; although the chapter speaks of how women should veil themselves as they worship, it indeed says that they should worship. Women are not exempt from God's commands to worship Him. However, as 1 Cor. 14:33-34 say, women should not speak in the CHURCH. Meaning that they should not be speaking out, as in by random action. 34The passage contains a temporary restraining order issued to curb the activities of a group of women who were teaching the heresy in Ephesus. Thus the relegation of women to the role of learners, who must be quiet and submissive to the imposed (male) authority structure, represents a local rather than a universal rule. It's an order for these woman not to teach. Paul actually encourages women to learn, which sets him apart from his contemporaries in Judaism. But it is the manner in which they learn that will settle the disturbances they have been causing in the church: in quietness and full submission (v. 11). Even as learners, perhaps, they are to refrain from entering into public discussions about interpretation of the Old Testament and prophecies (1 Cor 14:33-35).

Answer 3

I believe this is referring to the fact that the Corinthian women were a bit out of control. I think Paul was writing to the Corinthians in response to the women's behavior in the church...Paul was told of the behavior of the Corinthians and he was responding (in letter) to those particular situations (the things that he had heard) throughout the the book of Corinthians that is why some of the more stricter guidelines are found in 1st & 2nd Corinthians...women are actually very verbal in churches nowadays. I just think that most churches recognize God's original plan for men to be the head of the household and women to be the kneck (supporters)...this doesn't mean that she should be treated as a doormat!

Answer 4

First of all churches, as catholics know them, did not exist at the time this was written.

This statement refers to temples, which were places where rather than attending to see a priest performing a rite, people gathered to discuss their issues.

Secondly, it infers that all and any religious matters should only be discussed by men, and women were forced to be submissive and obedient.

Answer 5

same reason as always, protect the unequal status of man

see also this link

Silence The Woman!

"Let the women 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. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." (I Timothy 2:11-14)

Another case where the Bible makes it quite clear that women live for man and must submit to them.

"Man enjoys the great advantage of having a god endorse the code he writes; and since man exercises a sovereign authority over women it is especially fortunate that this authority has been vested in him by the Supreme Being. For the Jews, Mohammedans and Christians among others, man is master by divine right; the fear of God will therefore repress any impulse towards revolt in the downtrodden female."

--Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex 1949

(See also I Cor. 11:3-12, I Cor. 14:34-36, I Peter 3:1-7, Ephesians 5:22-24, Col. 3:18-19.)

Answer 6

Because the Apostle Paul, and your bible in general are full of chauvanistic men that are still being held up as prime examples to the men of our society. Inequality for women is rooted in religion, even today, and no one would dare suggest a re-write of the Bible to reflect modern times --God forbid, it would come out of the dark ages.

Answer 7

This was a local/regional restriction or general custom of the time. The Bible promotes women's involvement in the church and documents it throughout. This could also have been written to prevent interruptions during the church services. In verse 35 Paul goes on to say ask your husbands. This could imply that he was referring to the time and place for questions.

Answer 8

It has to do with the order of creation and the family. The man (created first) would be the dominant member of the household. The man is also to be the teacher concerning religious matters.
This is why it is also written that a woman is not to teach a man concerning religious matters.
Because of this order, a man has a responsibility to uphold and will have to answer for failure to do so.

Answer 9

1Co 14:34 - Let your women keep silence in the churches,.... This is a restriction of, and an exception to one of the above rules, that all might prophesy; in which he would be understood of men only, and not of women; and is directed against a practice which seems to have prevailed in this church at Corinth, allowing women to preach and teach in it; and this being a disorderly practice, and what was not used in other churches, the apostle forbids and condemns, and not without reason:

for it is not permitted unto them to speak; that is, in public assemblies, in the church of God, they might not speak with tongues, nor prophesy, or preach, or teach the word. All speaking is not prohibited; they might speak their experiences to the church, or give an account of the work of God upon their souls; they might speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; or speak as an evidence in any case at a church meeting; but not in such sort, as carried in it direction, instruction, government, and authority. It was not allowed by God that they should speak in any authoritative manner in the church; nor was it suffered in the churches of Christ; nor was it admitted of in the Jewish synagogue; there, we are told (b), the men came to teach, and the women לשמוע, "to hear": and one of their canons runs thus (c);

"a woman may not read (that is, in the law), בצבור, "in the congregation", or church, because of the honour of the congregation;''

for they thought it a dishonourable thing to a public assembly for a woman to read, though they even allowed a child to do it that was capable of it.

But they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. In Gen_3:16, "thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee". By this the apostle would signify, that the reason why women are not to speak in the church, or to preach and teach publicly, or be concerned in the ministerial function, is, because this is an act of power, and authority; of rule and government, and so contrary to that subjection which God in his law requires of women unto men. The extraordinary instances of Deborah, Huldah, and Anna, must not be drawn into a rule or example in such cases.

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Answer 10

when eve sinned on the tree and gave the apple to Adam and asked for advise, instead of going to the lord, that was her punishment in church she is suppose to go to her husband and speak for her, not just go to the lord on her own, Just a thought or God always wants to be known as a man, so people don't get confused if he is a man or a woman, if it was a male dominate Church people would always know hes a man. kind of teaching method to everyone, whats the big deal to be silent in Church for like 2 hrs anyway. people complain over the stupidest stuff.