1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (ESV)
the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
If you want to have a real debate in churches today, bring this paragraph out to the public debate. The role of women in the church today is not just a hot topic, it is a divisive topic. This entire concept of “submission” of women is a difficult and also divisive theme. Peter also wrote about this concept, but not in the context of the public worship of the church, but of the home. Note:
1 Peter 3:1-6 (ESV)
Wives and Husbands
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
So, we have two different authors, writing about ten years apart (1 Corinthians was before 1 Peter), about two different contexts (the church and the home), instructing believers about the same thing: Submission of women. There are many who interpret these passages as “historical” or “contextual FOR THAT TIME.” However, there is a third passage that also speaks to this thought. Note:
1 Timothy 2:8-15 (ESV)
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
Paul wrote this letter to pastor Timothy about this same time frame. It is important to note that Paul’s argument for women to be submissive in the church and to not teach or exercise authority over a man, was not based upon a “FOR THAT TIME” argument. It was based upon the story of creation and the story of the fall. Paul does not base his argument on the context of the Jewish faith in the 1st century or even the argument of the Jewish faith in the Old Testament. Paul basis his argument on the fact that God choose to create Adam first and Eve second. It was based upon the argument that it was Eve who was deceived, not Adam.
You can not like the idea of submission. You can certainly debate the issue. But, at one point you have to simply decided if the Scriptures are true and if they dictate how we live our lives?
One more passage is meaningful here, as well. It is a verse that follows the 1 Peter passage:
1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Men and women in the church are “joint” heirs of God’s grace. But, in regard to position of authority God designed it differently that we see the world operate. It would not be wise to force the world to operate as the church is instructed. But, it is disobedient to operate the church the way the world is instructed.
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