1 Corinthians 14:33 –35 (ESV) — 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 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. 35 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.
NOTE: The issue is
not a women's ability but rather the role God has given to men. It appears that
the church was self-taught. All the men could share a prophecy, a hymn, a word
of encouragement. In the case of prophecy, others would evaluate what was said,
probably the elders. I think the issue is fairly practical. If women were
allowed to speak in the church, they might dominate the discussion to the point
that the men withdrew from their God appointed role to lead. In order to
emphasize that role, Paul and the other churches did not allow the women to
teach or lead the worship experience. It was never an issue of ability but of
roles. We may disagree with God on this point, but that would be pretty foolish
since we are quite deficient from God in our intelligence or wisdom.
PRAYER: God you have
created us with purpose. You have defined roles in the two major spiritual
platforms, the home and the church. Beyond that you have given us great
freedom. Women ran businesses and owned homes in the early church. Some of the
meetings took place in their homes. But when it came to the spiritual role, it
is a role given to men that we have failed at far too often. Forgive us and
help us to see the importance of the role you have given to us.
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