Are women to remain silent? The apostle Paul writes about the subjective role of women in Romans?

Question

and Corinthians...they are not to speak up in church, but wait until they get home to ask their husbands any questions they may have., etc..because this is in the new testament I assume we are to interpret it literally?

Answer 1

There are Bible believing, literal interpreting, Evangelicals on both sides of the role of women in the church issue. Scripture seems to leave some ambiguity for us to determine which is the most appropriate position to hold. Some passages, as you have mentioned seem to limit the role while others such as Galatians 3:28, Paul's mention of women teaching men (Priscilla), women deacons (Phoebe) point to a more open role.

Some taking a more limiting view range from those who believe this means a total silencing of women -no teaching, no preaching, and to an extreme, no singing aloud. Less severe, but still in the limiting camp, to those that merely restrict women from being Senior Pastors. The names for these folks are hierarchialists or complementarians.

In contrast, there are those who call themselves Biblical egalitarians who would see these passages as prohibiting only disruptive speech ( 1 Corinthians14 ) in light of the fact that 1 Corinithians 11:5 talks about a woman prophesying in public, or prohibiting uneducated/ false teaching as mentioned in Paul's admonition to Timothy (1 Timothy 2) in the Ephesian church. They would focus more on encouraging women to follow their God- given callings and gifts into whatever ministry He leads them to.

Answer 2

This question arises fairly often, understandably. Some feel it is a slight to women. But that is not truly so. Interestingly, this came up as a Question From Readers in the March 1, 2006 issue of a Bible journal. Paul wrote at 1 Corinthians 14:33, 34: “As in all the congregations of the holy ones, let the women keep silent in the congregations . . . “

Paul was discussing matters relating to Christian meetings. He underscored the objective of Christian meetings: that the congregation may receiving upbuilding. See 1 Corinthians 14:4, 5, 12, 26.

Paul’s instructions to ‘keep silent’ appears three times in chapter 14 and is addressed to a different group each time but the reason for the instruction is always the same: “let all things take place decently and by arrangement.” 1 Corinthians 14:40.

Verse 28 instructs those speaking in tongues. Verse 30 instructs those prophesying. And verse 34 instructs the women. It may be that some of the women were challenging what was said in the congregation and Paul’s counsel would help these sisters avoid such a disorderly spirit and humbly accept their position within God’s headship arrangement, especially when it came to their husbands.

Moreover, when the sisters kept silent in the congregation, they would be showing that they were not trying to be teachers in the congregation which was not permissible. Compare 1 Timothy 2:12. This did not mean Christian women could not speak in the congregation. Sometimes Christian women prayed or prophesied in the congregation.

Christian women ‘keep silent’ by refraining from trying to assume the role of a male and instruct the congregation.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 3

1. The subject does not come up in Romans at all, so it is obvious to me you have not really studied the subject.
2. In Corinthians we are talking about certain cultural situations. In 1 Corinthians 11, however, it talks about women praying in public services, and prophesying in public services. When it talks about being silent, it is in the context of her asking questions of her husband, It seems that in some public meeting places, the women had to sit separately from the men (not a Biblical but a cultural principle). It became very disorderly, when the women, who were farther away, began asking questions of the men. So Paul said: "Wait till you get home".
The only reference to women in Romans is when Paul refers to the ministry of a certain deaconess - not exactly an injunction to remain silent.

Answer 4

Take the verse in its immediate and historical context. In the Jewish religious hierarchy, only men could be priests and instruct others in the precepts of the faith. That's a woman would not be found "speaking" in the synagogue.

Jesus didn't seem to have a problem with this tradition. Nor should we. It's not excluding women. It's just saying God has different roles and purposes for us in the Church.

Answer 5

I Cor.14:34-35 "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.'

I Tim.2:12-14 "And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression."

I Cor.11:3 'But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman Is man, and the head of Christ Is God."

These passages give the answer to your question, and the answer is: A woman has no place "in the pulpit and preaching or expounding on the word of God in a mixed audience.'

There are many important responsibilities that women must fulfill (cf I Tim.5:9-10; Phil.4:2-3; Acts 9:36-9; Rom.16:1; Tit.2:4-5). Some of women's responsibilities involve teaching (cf. I Tim.5:2; Tit.2:1-4). However, the woman's teaching is not to be In the public assembly (mixed audience) as the above passages clearly teach. The word translated "teach" in 1 Tim. 2:12 means "to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses" (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the N.T.).

Because of the demands of Women's Liberation in our society many denominations have installed women in positions for which there is no biblical authority. Men and women are equal in the sight of God. Gods promise of eternal inheritance is the same for both men and women (Gal.3:28; 1 Pet.3:8). However, equality does not negate the fact that God has set forth different roles that must be fulfilled by each. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equal in power, purpose, and deity. However, each has a different role to fulfill (cf I Cor.11:3). Likewise, men and women are equal in the sight of God, yet He has set forth different roles for each. This is God prerogative. He is Lord and we must submit to His will (Col.3:17). Whether a man or a woman, each has plenty to do in simply fulfilling the responsibilities of the role that God has set forth for each. For one to try to fulfill the role of the other Is not only futile, it is sinful.

Answer 6

Paul is answering a letter from the Corinthians.
Paul said this because the women were being loud and disorderly during church meetings.

Answer 7

Sure. If you are a christian. Well, if you are a muslim also. Well, if you are a hindu also.

Well, sorry, let me try this again. If you follow a religion that was written more than a few hundred years ago, yes. Obviously. It was a man's world.

And don't talk to your neighbor (if he is a guy), you might be stoned to death.

BTW, please stay religious if you want to, but for God's sake, don't have kids, especially girls.

I am a strong faminist and sorry I had a very harsh answer for this.

Answer 8

In the Jewish synagogue, men alone performed the functions of priest and teacher. Therefore it was not fitting for a woman to "speak in church" - that is, to teach and command spiritual authority.

The bible NEVER says women can't have opinions or teach outside of church or confront men when they are wrong, etc etc

God has ordained it so. This is not a patriarchal construct or a man-made tradition. Remember, Jesus followed this tradition when He worshiped. I for one will not question the dictates of God and His Son.

The Catholic Church continues this tradition by allowing only men to be ordained to the priestly ministry.

There are many ministries open to women in the Church. Their contributions to faith and spirituality throughout the centeries are too numerous to count.

God bless.

Answer 9

paul said let any man who thinketh himself to be spiritual or prophet acknowledge that what i say are the commandments of the Lord. preachers say we don't have to listen to that in our day but that is false for paul also wrote if a man or an angel preach anything different or contrary to what we preach is accursed. where do most of your preachers stand today? i would say most are in the accursed side
paul was speaking to the christians not jewish synagogues

Answer 10

I swear, people who believe that women should remain silent, be seen and not heard, or just sit their and look pretty should be kicked in the balls, or slapped to the floor.

I am a girl, and I can, and will, chat your ears off of your head!

Paxico Trader- I can't believe that you could stand to be under a man's control. I guess the name Susan B. Anthony means nothing to you, huh? And I suppose that you plan to stay in the kitchen and cook for your man-master!
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/51770632/
It describes you perfectly. (You are the idiotic mother.)