Should Women Keep Silence in Church?

The ancient world was very far from being politically correct by modern standards, and as a result, the Bible contains passages that seem politically incorrect today.

For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, St. Paul seems to suggest that women should be totally silent in church.

Is this true?

If so, how do we square it with the practice of the Church today?

This is an interesting question.

Recently, a priest who is a member of the Secret Information Club wrote and said:

I would appreciate your thoughts on 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. This is difficult to address in front of a group of women.

I understand the difficulty.

Reading the Passage Itself

Let’s begin by looking at what the passage says, with a bit of the immediate context:

1 Corinthians 14

[33b] As in all the churches of the saints,
[34] the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.
[35] If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church
[36] What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached?
[37] If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.
[38] If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

The immediate context does not, in this case, make things easier. It actually seems to make them harder.

St. Paul appears to “up the ante” by saying that this is a commandment from the Lord (Jesus himself), and that anyone who rejects this view should have his view rejected.

But perhaps the broader context of St. Paul’s thought may put things in a different light.

And, in fact, it does. Even just a few chapters earlier in 1 Corinthians, St. Paul indicates that women do not have to remain literally silent in church . . .

KEEP READING.