What the Bible says about Women Speaking in church.

What the Bible says about Women Speaking in church.

About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. It began with

Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek

goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy. He called them together, along with others

employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows:

Acts 19:23–26 NLT

“Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and

heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at

all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province!

Acts 19:23–26 NLT

“But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade

gods aren’t really gods at all.”

While Paul was in Ephesus, he wrote First Corinthians in response to a letter from the

church in Corinth seeking help with specific problems.

1 Corinthians 7:1

Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each

woman have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2 NKJV

Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one

whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 7:25 NKJV

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge

puffs up, but love edifies.

1 Corinthians 8:1 NKJV

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV 1900

The Corinthians had many questions about spiritual gifts.

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of

Galatia, so you must do also:

1 Corinthians 16:1 NKJV

For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear

brothers and sisters.

1 Corinthians 1:11 NLT

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something

that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his

stepmother. 1 Corinthians 5:1NLT

But in the following instructions, I cannot praise you. For it sounds as if more harm than

good is done when you meet together.

1 Corinthians 11:17 NLT

The Question About Women in Church

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but

they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1 Corinthians 14:34 KJV 1900

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for

women to speak in the church.

1 Corinthians 14:35 KJV 1900

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

1 Corinthians 14:36 KJV 1900

Did God’s word begin with you, men? Are you the only ones it has reached?”

The three C's of biblical interpretation:

1. Context.

2. Culture.

3. Cross-references.

Number 1: The first occurrence is in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one

interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to

himself and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:27–28 NKJV

Number 2. The second instance of "be silent" appears in verse 29.

"Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if a revelation is made to

another who is seated, the first must be silent."

Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have

authority over them. Let them listen quietly.

1 Timothy 2:11–12 NLT

Number 3. Silence

1 Corinthians 14:34

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but

they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Egalitarian

Both male and female have the same responsibilities for everything.

What is submission?

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:21–22 NLT

‘Submission’

Greek: ὑποτάσσω

Transliteration: hupotassō

Pronunciation: hoop-ot-as'-so

“Submission is allowing someone else to decide or choose something.”

Why First Corinthians Matters

Human nature has not changed!

This is why First Corinthians remains so relevant to the church.

It addresses real problems, real people, and real biblical solutions.

A Basic Table of Contents for First Corinthians.

1:1–9 — Greeting and introduction

1:10–17 — Factions in the church

1:18–2:16 — The wisdom of God

3:1–4:21 — Paul and Apollos

5:1–13 — Sexual immorality

6:1–11 — Lawsuits among believers

6:12–20 — Moral purity

7:1–40 — Marriage and celibacy

8:1–13 — Food offered to idols

9:1–27 — Giving up rights for the gospel

10:1–11:1 — Lessons from Israel’s idolatry

11:2–16 — Instructions for public worship

11:17–34 — The Lord’s Supper

12:1–14:39 — Spiritual gifts

15:1–58 — Resurrection from the dead

16:1–24 — The collection for the saints

When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said

good-bye and left for Macedonia. While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns

he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece,

Acts 20:1–2 NLT

You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord,

and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:5 NLT

I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when

he deals with you; he is powerful among you. Although he was crucified in weakness, he

now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with

you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.

2 Corinthians 13:3–4 NLT

A Basic Table of Contents for Second Corinthians.

1:1–5:21 — Explanation of Paul’s ministry

6:1–7:16 — Exhortation and separation from sin

8:1–9:15 — Cooperation in the offering

10:1–13:14 — Vindication of Paul’s apostleship