1 Corinthians 14:34–35 has been a controversial passage due to Paul’s instruction for women to be silent in church. The key verses state: “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.”
There are a few perspectives on whether this passage should be included as authoritative Scripture:
1. It was added later by scribes
Some scholars believe these verses were not original to Paul’s letter but were added by later scribes. Arguments include:
- The passage seems to contradict Paul’s high view of women elsewhere (e.g. Romans 16:1, Philippians 4:2-3).
- The passage interrupts the flow of Paul’s thought from v.33 to v.36.
- The passage is missing from some early manuscripts.
Based on this evidence, some Bibles have the passage in brackets or a footnote stating the doubtful authenticity. If added later, the verses do not carry biblical authority.
2. It was a later instruction for a specific context
Some take the passage as authoritative Scripture, but believe it addressed a specific issue in Corinth. Reasons include:
- Paul affirms women praying and prophesying in church in 1 Corinthians 11.
- The passage specifically references speaking, not all participation.
- It may have addressed disruptive speaking/chattering in church.
From this view, Paul was giving a contextual instruction about speaking, not universal teaching about women’s roles. The passage is not directly applicable today.
3. It is a universal prohibition for church contexts
Some believe this passage is authoritative Scripture giving instructions for all churches. Reasons include:
- The passage appears in all reputable ancient manuscripts.
- It fits the style and vocabulary of Paul’s writing.
- It aligns with male leadership themes in Paul’s other letters.
- It reflects male-oriented first century culture.
From this perspective, the passage prohibits women from authoritative speaking/teaching roles in church gatherings as a universal principle.
4. Options for interpreting the passage
There are a few options for how to interpret and apply this passage:
- Ignore it as inauthentic: If added later, it can be ignored as unauthoritative. This allows full freedom for women in all church roles.
- Limit it to a specific context: The principles may have addressed a specific issue at Corinth. This allows women to serve in leadership apart from that specific context.
- Apply it to preaching/teaching roles: The passage may prohibit authoritative preaching/teaching roles while allowing other participation.
- Apply it to all speaking: Some take it as prohibiting any speaking, though this seems to contradict 1 Cor 11.
- Apply it universally: Some see it as universal prohibition barring women from most/all vocal participation.
There are good faith arguments on multiple sides of how to interpret this passage.
5. Evidence on women’s roles
There is diversity of opinion on appropriate women’s roles, often influenced by this passage. Some main perspectives:
- Full equality in all roles: All ministry positions are open, no role distinctions by gender.
- Equal in personhood, some role differences: Equal before God but some distinction in roles.
- Only senior pastors are restricted: Women can serve in any position except head pastor.
- No vocal teaching role: Womencannot teach where men are present but can teach women.
- No teaching or authority roles: Women cannot teach or have spiritual authority over men.
- Very limited roles: Women cannot have vocal roles and must remain quiet in church gatherings.
Views range from fully equal roles to very limited participation for women. This passage factors prominently in these discussions.
6. Evidence outside of 1 Corinthians 14
There are various passages that provide insight into appropriate women’s roles in the church:
Passages affirming equality and participation of women
- Galatians 3:28 – In Christ there is no male or female.
- Acts 2:17 – Both sons and daughters will prophesy.
- Romans 16:1,7 – Paul commends Phoebe and Junia.
- Philippians 4:2-3 – Euodia and Syntyche labored with Paul.
Passages with restrictions or male leadership
- 1 Timothy 2:12 – Don’t permit women to teach or have authority over men.
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 – Man is head of woman.
- 1 Timothy 3 – Qualifications for overseers are male-oriented.
- Ephesians 5:22 – Wives submit to husbands.
There are various biblical passages that seem to support both perspectives of gender equality along with male leadership. Interpreters weigh these different passages differently.
7. Hermeneutical considerations
When interpreting a passage like 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, important hermeneutical factors include:
- Consider the genre – Epistles are occasional documents addressing specific contexts which must be understood.
- Assess historical-cultural background – First century Greco-Roman culture was very male-centered.
- Look at authorial intent – What was Paul’s aim in the instruction?
- Analyze grammar and vocabulary – What do the words mean in the original Greek?
- Compare Scripture with Scripture – How does it fit with Paul’s other writings and biblical teachings?
- Appreciate progressive revelation – Later revelation may provide advancement on a topic.
Careful interpretation considers these factors to understand the original meaning and determine legitimate application for modern contexts. There is debate on where this passage should fall on that spectrum of understanding.
8. Major positions on the passage
There are four major perspectives held by Christians on this passage:
Non-authoritative addition
Many modern scholars believe 1 Cor 14:34-35 was not original to Paul’s letter but a later scribal addition. Arguments include style differences, contradictions with chapter 11, and omission in some early manuscripts. If so, the passage carries no real authority.
Addressing a specific problem
Some see the passage as authoritative but addressing a specific problem such as disruptive chatter from certain women in the Corinthian church. This would limit the instruction to that specific context and not apply universally in all churches at all times.
Universal prohibition of teaching
Many take this passage as permanently prohibiting women from the authoritative teaching office over men in the gathered church context. It bars women from preaching, elder/pastor roles, or teaching where men are present.
Universal prohibition of speaking
Some interpret the passage as transcultural instruction prohibiting women from any speaking in church gatherings. This view believes it articulates a universal principle applicable to all churches rather than just a specific problem at Corinth.
There are thoughtful arguments from Scripture on each side of these major positions that are held by faithful Christians seeking to properly interpret and apply this passage.
9. Implications and application
How 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is interpreted has significant implications for the application of this passage in the church today regarding appropriate roles for women. Some perspectives include:
- Women can serve in any role if added later.
- Women are not restricted unless a similar disorder is present.
- Women cannot preach, teach men, or be pastors.
- Women cannot have authoritative teaching roles.
- Women can teach women and children.
- Women cannot speak publicly when men are present.
- Women are restricted to silent roles with no vocal participation.
Churches have adopted positions across this wide spectrum from fully equal roles to silent submission. This shows the diversity of perspectives and applications on how churches apply this passage today.
10. Summary of the major positions
To summarize the major positions on this passage:
- Non-authoritative addition view: The passage was likely added later and carries no authority. Women can serve in all roles.
- Addressed a specific problem view: Paul was addressing a particular issue at Corinth. The instructions don’t apply universally.
- Universal prohibition of teaching view: The passage prohibits women teaching men in all churches at all times.
- Universal prohibition of speaking view: Women should refrain from speaking in church when men are present.
There are reasoned arguments from Scripture for each of these major perspectives. Faithful Christians and churches sit under each of these views today.
While perspectives differ on this controversial passage, most agree that men and women are equally valued by God. There is unity on the core issues of the gospel even with different views on appropriate roles and application of passages like 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. Christians can thoughtfully disagree agreeably while discussing and debating this passage.