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Questions from Visitors to CICweb.org
[Note: questions and the pastor's answers will only be listed here with permission and only if appropriate]

Dear Pastor Tibbs,
I came across this scripture in my studies and wondered if there is more to this scripture than meets the eye. I know that women have had their part in spreading the gospel thru out the bible. Can you help me put it into perspective?

1st Corinthians 14:34 NIV
As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If 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.

You have my permission to publish this on the web site because I am sure that other believers have read this scripture and are wondering about it too.

Thank You
    Rob

Rob,
Great question.
The key here is the context. The church at Corinth was conducting its meetings in absolute chaos. People were speaking in different languages, multiple people were preaching, and people were challenging what the speakers were saying, all at the same time (have you ever watched the British House of Commons on C-span?...well, this group made the Commons look very well ordered). The point is, chaos was reigning. So, in the passage, God through the apostle Paul is addressing each of the groups...don't speak in languages people don't understand...only one person speaking at a time... and, the women are not supposed to be challenging what the speakers are saying. Apparently, the official teachers of the congregation were men. If one of them were saying something that someone thought was not right, the other men (or another man) in the congregation could challenge him. We sort of have a remnant of that idea in some churches where people say "A-men" if they agree with what the preacher says.

Well, anyhow, the Bible is saying it isn't appropriate for a woman to challenge her own or another woman's husband, or, for that matter, for a woman to challenge a male teacher period...because, for one thing, it makes him look bad in front of his wife and others: it brought shame on him. It would also look to the other people as if she, not her husband, was the spiritual leader of the home (if she said something while her husband sat around quietly). If a woman thought something was not correct, she should ask her own husband about it at home (in private), where it would not be shameful or embarrassing to him or the man who was speaking. He then could challenge what the other man said, which the man would receive better coming from another man in the public assembly. So, this passage is not talking about a woman being required to be absolutely silent in the church, but rather, not appearing to be unsubmissive to her husband's authority. I hope this helps.
BT