The vitally important role godly women play in the church!
Rules of
Speech
Elaboration
Justification
Tongues
2 or 3,
in turn,
one interprets
no interpreter
= keep silent
speak to himself
and God,
not church
Prophets
2 or 3,
others weigh,
one by one
revelation to
one sitting,
first keep silent
spirits of prophets
are subject to
prophets
Women
keep silent,
subjection,
as Law says
learn by asking
men at home
improper for
a woman to
speak in church
Paul’s 4 arguments against women speaking in church
What about women singing, etc. in church?
Universal application (not just to the church in Corinth, not just the culture of Paul’s day, not just to the time of “gifts”) – this subjection was God’s plan from the beginning!
The gifts of tongues and prophecy have been done away with now that “the perfect” has come (cf. 1Cor. 13:8-10) = God’s completed revelation.
But let’s still do all things “properly and in an orderly manner” (1Cor. 14:40) = women silent in the churches!
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This is not a matter of superiority/inferiority – but different roles God has assigned in the church!
The tongue-speaker/prophet of 1Cor.14:28/30 who was to “keep silent” was not “inferior” to the others!
Not all men can fill the role of elders in the church, but this doesn’t mean they are inferior to the men who are elders! It’s just different roles.
Similarly, women cannot fill speaking roles in the church, but this doesn’t mean that women are inferior to men. It’s just different roles.
Meeting together is not only commanded, but it is important for mutual encouragement, especially as we wait for Jesus’ return.
– Let’s commit to meeting together, encouraging one another, constantly aware of the Lord’s coming.
