Understanding 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 I. Introduction A. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 B. A passage that engenders much controversy 1. Who is under discussion? 2. How extensive is the "silence" supposed to be? 3. Under what circumstances does it apply? 4. Why does Paul command women to be silent in the assemblies? C. It can be easy to try to shrug off passage or render it irrelevant 1. Inconvenient concept in the twenty-first century! 2. Many would consider this part of "patriarchal culture" 3. But maybe Paul has a reason for this statement! D. To understand 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, we must understand what God says elsewhere about the divine hierarchy and the relationship between husband and wife! E. Let us consider these matters and how they apply to 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 II. The Divine Hierarchy A. Paul's statements regarding women in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 are consistent with discussions elsewhere about God's divine hierarchy B. 1 Corinthians 11:3 1. Description of the divine hierarchy 2. God -> Christ -> man/husband -> woman/wife C. 1 Corinthians 11:7-9 1. In the discussion of the covering, the reason a woman should have the covering is because of her place in the divine hierarchy 2. She is the "glory of man" 3. This is because she came from man and was created for man 4. Based in Genesis 2:18-23 D. 1 Timothy 2:11-15 1. Paul again establishes that women are to learn quietly 2. They are not to usurp authority or have dominion 3. The reason again: Adam formed before Eve (Genesis 2:18-23) 4. Another reason: Eve was deceived, Adam was not (cf. Genesis 3:1-6) E. Thus we have the reasoning behind the divine hierarchy 1. God -> Christ -> man is fairly clear-cut and understandable (cf. 1 Corinthians 15) 2. Man/husband is over woman/wife because he was formed first, she was formed for him, and because she was deceived in the transgression F. We can see, therefore, that the divine hierarchy is God -> Christ -> man/husband -> woman/wife III. Husbands and Wives A. The other aspect of Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 involves the dynamic of the husband and wife B. The husband is to be the head of the household 1. Ephesians 5:23 2. Not as a dictator or tyrant, but as Christ loved the church (cf. Ephesians 5:23-33) 3. Nevertheless, he is the head! C. His headship also applies in spiritual matters 1. 1 Timothy 3:4-5 2. He can only spiritually manage his house if he is indeed the spiritual manager! D. The wife is to be in submission to her husband in all things 1. Ephesians 5:22-24 2. This is not a coerced submission, but a voluntary one 3. They are to subject themselves to their husbands in all things! E. Origins in Genesis 3:16 1. "Desire" often interpreted sexually 2. Yet this does not really fit the conclusion! 3. "Desire" seems to involve desire for strict equality or control 4. Yet the husband will "rule over" her 5. Thus, she is to be in subjection to her husband! F. We can understand, then, that the husband is the head of the house, and the wife is to be in subjection to him IV. Application to 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 A. Both of these strands come together in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 1. Divine hierarchy: God -> Christ -> man/husband -> woman/wife 2. Husband as head of house, wife; wife in subjection to husband B. Context: proper order in the assemblies of the saints 1. 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40 2. Things must be done properly, in order, and to God's honor C. Paul brings up the matter of women in terms of respect of divine hierarchy 1. Why does Paul bring up the matter of women speaking here, in the midst of the context of spiritual gifts being abused? 2. Because women speaking violates the divine hierarchy, even questions! 3. It is considered not decent and disorderly! D. But why would it be that women speaking would not be decent and orderly? 1. The reason comes down to the husband-wife dynamic! 2. The wife is to be in subjection to her husband, as the Law also says (1 Corinthians 14:34; cf. Genesis 3:16) 3. Therefore, if she would "learn anything," let her ask her husband at home (1 Corinthians 14:35)! E. It is disorderly, at least in part, because it violates the divine hierarchy and does not show proper subjection to husbands! V. What It Seems to Mean A. We can see, therefore, that Paul indicates that women should be silent on account of the divine hierarchy and headship of the husband B. Where does this apply? 1. Context involves the assemblies of the saints (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:26) 2. That would certainly include the regular assemblies 3. It would also include Bible classes that are adjuncts of the regular assemblies 4. The woman violates the command by asking a question, something not done in modern "regular" assemblies but something that could be done in a Bible class 5. Any attempt to make distinctions between Bible classes and the regular assemblies are mitigated by Paul's reasoning 6. If it is disrespecting the husband's authority to ask a question in the assembly, how would that not be true in a Bible class? C. How far does it extend? 1. Is it complete silence always? What about singing and prayer? 2. Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16: collective singing "one to another" 3. 1 Corinthians 14:16: "amen" at the end of a corporate prayer appropriate, giving assent to what has been prayed 4. These two practices are not in view in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 5. As collective actions, they do not question the husband's authority, and neither do they violate the divine hierarchy, any more or less so than partaking of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-28) 6. Thus, women should sing and “amen” a corporate prayer! D. What about single women, physical and spiritual widows? 1. What about women who do not have husbands that they can ask at home? 2. 1 Corinthians 14:35 presents a general principle in addition to that of wives 3. 1 Timothy 2:11-15 also presents the concept of women being quiet 4. Thus, such a woman could speak with their earthly father, an elder of the church, or a spiritually mature man after the assembly 5. By what authority would we say that such women have the right or ability to speak in the assemblies of the saints? VI. Conclusion A. A difficult and contentious issue 1. Something to study about and pray upon 2. Something that each person must decide for themselves B. Nevertheless, Paul's statement can make sense, both in purpose and context! 1. Attempt to preserve the divine hierarchy 2. Maintenance of the spiritual headship of the husband C. Let us study and strive to serve God according to His revelation, regardless of what culture may say! D. Invitation/songbook