Pauline Views On Women Speaking In Church
The Apostle Paul's views on women speaking in church are primarily derived from his first letter to the Corinthians, specifically 1 Corinthians 14:34, where he instructs, "Let women keep quiet in the churches: for it is not right for them to be talking; but let them be under control, as it says in the law" [1]. This passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history.
In understanding Paul's instruction, it's crucial to consider the context of 1 Corinthians. The chapter discusses the use of spiritual gifts in worship, and Paul advises women to be silent and submissive in church meetings. This instruction is seen as reflecting a perspective on women's roles similar to that found in the Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy 2:11-15) [3].
The early Church Fathers interpreted Paul's words as a prohibition against women teaching or speaking authoritatively in church. John Chrysostom, for example, emphasizes the importance of modesty and propriety in women, citing 1 Timothy 2:11-15 [2]. Similarly, Thomas Aquinas argues that while women may speak privately or in familiar conversation, public speaking in church is not permitted to them due to their sex [4].
Reformed and Protestant traditions have also grappled with Paul's instructions. John Calvin's commentary on 1 Corinthians does not directly address the issue, but his Institutes touch on the role of women in the church, emphasizing the importance of Scripture in guiding Christian practice [6]. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary notes that while women like Anna and Priscilla are examples of women exercising spiritual gifts, the ordinary rule is for women to remain silent in public worship (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12) [7].
The tension between Paul's allowance for women to pray and prophesy (1 Corinthians 11:5) and his instruction for them to be silent in church (1 Corinthians 14:34) has led to varying interpretations. Some see these passages as reflecting different contexts or circumstances within the Corinthian church [3]. Others, like Matthew Henry, understand Paul to be prohibiting women from teaching or speaking authoritatively in public assemblies [8].
The historical development of this doctrine is marked by a general consensus across various Christian traditions that Paul's instructions restrict women's public speaking roles in the church. While there are differences in interpretation regarding the scope and application of these restrictions, the underlying biblical text remains a foundational reference point [1, 3, 5].
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:34 (BBE) — Let women keep quiet in the churches: for it is not right for them to be talking; but let them be under control, as it says in the law.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily IX. 1 Timothy ii. 11–15 “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. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in [through the] child-bearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” Great modesty and great propriety does the blessed Paul require of women, and that not only with respect”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:34: 14:34-35 This aside in the discussion on using spiritual gifts reflects a perspective on women’s roles similar to that of the Pastoral Letters (see 1 Tim 2:11-15). • Paul advises women to be silent and submissive in church meetings. This instruction is to be understood in light of 1 Cor 11:5, which clearly implies that women are permitted to pray and prophesy publicly. • just as the law says: Possibly referring to Gen 3:16.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Gratuitous Grace Consisting in Words, Art. 2: Article: Whether the grace of the word of wisdom and knowledge is becoming to women? I answer that, Speech may be employed in two ways: in one way privately, to one or a few, in familiar conversation, and in this respect the grace of the word may be becoming to women; in another way, publicly, addressing oneself to the whole church, and this is not permitted to women. First and chiefly, on account of the condition attaching to the female sex, whereby woman should b”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:32: 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 chur”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 101: speak concerning Christ and the Church” ( Eph. 5:28 , 32 ). To treat Scripture thus is to confound heaven and earth. Paul, in order to show husbands how they ought to love their wives, sets Christ before them as an example. As he shed his bowels of affection for the Church, which he has espoused to himself, so he would have every one to feel affected toward his wife. Then he adds, “He that loveth his wife loveth himself,” “even as the Lord the Church.” Moreover, to show how Christ loved the Church as himself, nay, how he made hims”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:5: woman . . . prayeth . . . prophesieth--This instance of women speaking in public worship is an extraordinary case, and justified only by the miraculous gifts which such women possessed as their credentials; for instance, Anna the prophetess and Priscilla (so Act 2:18). The ordinary rule to them is: silence in public (Co1 14:34-35; Ti1 2:11-12). Mental receptivity and activity in family life are recognized in Christianity, as most accordant with the destiny of woman. This passage does not necessarily sanction women speaking in public, even though”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14:34: Here the apostle, 1. Enjoins silence on their women in public assemblies, and to such a degree that they must not ask questions for their own information in the church, but ask their husbands at home. They are to learn in silence with all subjection; but, says the apostle, I suffer them not to teach, Ti1 2:11, Ti1 2:12. There is indeed an intimation (Co1 11:5) as if the women sometimes did pray and prophecy in their assemblies, which the apostle, in that passage, does not simply condemn, but the manner of performance, that is, praying or prophesying with t”