1Cor 14.34-35 and 1Tim 2.8-15 continue to be misused by many to teach that women should always remain silent in the church. But context, as we will see, is king.
In his letters Paul says God bestows His gifts equally and there's no evidence that the spiritual/charismatic gifts listed in 1Cor 12.7-10 apply to men only. For example, "one is given" this "to another" is given that and "the body is one....with many members," and so on. And in 1Cor 11.5 Paul wants women to pray and prophesy, as long as they do not dishonor their husbands (Cp. Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, "your sons and daughters shall prophesy." Acts 2.17). And prophecy, as Paul defines it, includes other forms of teaching:
So it's possible from this context that the warning in 1Cor 14 has to do with some women questioning other prophets in an argumentative, i.e., unchristian way. The noted scholar F.F. Bruce agrees noting:
What’s always ignored or missed in 1Tim 3, perhaps due to the uninspired chapter breaks, is the fact that Paul goes on to explain what he means by not allowing a woman to oversee a man. For example, Paul limits the office of an overseer, aka pastor/elder, to males only, e.g., "the husband of one wife," which literally means "a-one-woman-man."
(NOTE: Paul's presupposition that a man is to be faithfully married does not of course mean that a single man was disqualified from the position. Paul himself was probably single and elsewhere even recognized celibacy as perfectly suitable for ministry.)
The ESV Study Bible note on 1Tim 2.12 explains that:
The NET Bible adds that the phrase must remain quiet is used in Greek literature either of absolute silence or of a quiet demeanor. For example, in 2Thess 3:12 Paul uses the same Greek word to urge some in the church to do their work quietly. Hence, my paraphrase:
The woman is not to oversee the church by taking on the teaching and authority of the male elder but instead she should maintain a quiet demeanor.
Lastly, in 1Tim 2.13-14 Paul has already given his twofold biblical reasons for this prohibition by appealing to:
In summary
1Cor 14.34-35; 1Tim 2.8-15 do not do away with the fact that elsewhere Paul says:
In his letters Paul says God bestows His gifts equally and there's no evidence that the spiritual/charismatic gifts listed in 1Cor 12.7-10 apply to men only. For example, "one is given" this "to another" is given that and "the body is one....with many members," and so on. And in 1Cor 11.5 Paul wants women to pray and prophesy, as long as they do not dishonor their husbands (Cp. Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, "your sons and daughters shall prophesy." Acts 2.17). And prophecy, as Paul defines it, includes other forms of teaching:
So Paul cannot contradict himself by placing a supposed permanent ban on women speaking in church. Nor is Paul saying that this teaching from women applies only to children. For example, Paul commands older women to teach and train younger women (Titus 2:3-4). In Phil 4.2-3 Paul names women who he says have struggled together in the gospel ministry along with me, Clement and my other coworkers. Also, in Acts 18.26 Luke says Priscilla taught a man, Apollos (1Cor 14.34-35).
So it's possible from this context that the warning in 1Cor 14 has to do with some women questioning other prophets in an argumentative, i.e., unchristian way. The noted scholar F.F. Bruce agrees noting:
The same with the NET Bible on 1Cor 14.34:
This might explain the disorder Paul alludes to and why the issue is specific to women only.
What’s always ignored or missed in 1Tim 3, perhaps due to the uninspired chapter breaks, is the fact that Paul goes on to explain what he means by not allowing a woman to oversee a man. For example, Paul limits the office of an overseer, aka pastor/elder, to males only, e.g., "the husband of one wife," which literally means "a-one-woman-man."
(NOTE: Paul's presupposition that a man is to be faithfully married does not of course mean that a single man was disqualified from the position. Paul himself was probably single and elsewhere even recognized celibacy as perfectly suitable for ministry.)
The ESV Study Bible note on 1Tim 2.12 explains that:
(Also see 1Cor 14.34-35 [where] Paul is likely forbidding women to speak up and judge prophecies (this is the activity in the immediate context; cf. 1 Cor. 14:29.")
The NET Bible adds that the phrase must remain quiet is used in Greek literature either of absolute silence or of a quiet demeanor. For example, in 2Thess 3:12 Paul uses the same Greek word to urge some in the church to do their work quietly. Hence, my paraphrase:
The woman is not to oversee the church by taking on the teaching and authority of the male elder but instead she should maintain a quiet demeanor.
Lastly, in 1Tim 2.13-14 Paul has already given his twofold biblical reasons for this prohibition by appealing to:
- The order of the original Genesis creation, i.e., Adam was formed first, then Eve; nothing to do with social-cultural norms but creation itself!
In summary
1Cor 14.34-35; 1Tim 2.8-15 do not do away with the fact that elsewhere Paul says:
Col 3:16
