Examining I Corinthians 14:34-35
by Steve A. Hamilton
“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. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church” (I Corinthians 14:34-35 KJV).
The Greek word for silence in this passage is sigao. It means utter silence. It is a command directed at women in the church (i.e., during worship services). The command is given as a prohibition (“for it is not permitted unto them to speak”). The command includes an exception introduced by the word “but.” However, this exception is not clearly conveyed in the King James Version and even less clear in other English translations.
A literal Greek translation into English renders the exception as, “but let them be subject, as also the law says” (Marshall, The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament). What law are women also to be subject to?
The Old Testament does not contain a law prohibiting women from speaking during religious ceremonies. Of course, “be subject” could refer to their husband, as in Genesis 3:16: “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” However, that would shift the topic from remaining silent in church to being silent for one’s husband's sake. Then we would have to address whether the command applies to a single woman if it relates to being submissive to a husband.
Adam Clarke, in his commentary on I Timothy 2:12, says Roman law did prohibit women from speaking in such settings. Be that as it may, it is hard to believe the Lord would enjoin a Roman law upon His church.
If we understand this law as a prohibition on women speaking in church services, then Christ’s law (i.e., the New Testament) would modify the exception. The New Testament (the law) includes at least three circumstances where women may be required to speak in worship services.
- Singing (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19).
- As a confession (Romans 10:9-10) before many witnesses (I Timothy 6:12).
- Saying “Amen” to a prayer (I Corinthians 14:16); though admittedly it does not need to be audible.
Men were likewise forbidden to speak in the worship service (I Corinthians 14:27-33). If there were no interpreters, those men who could speak in tongues were to remain utterly silent in worship. If multiple prophets wished to address the church in worship, the men were to speak one at a time while the others remained utterly silent.
This arrangement did not forbid the men from singing or saying amen “as also the law says.” They were to respect the decorum of the worship service (I Corinthians 14:33, 40). Likewise, women are to know their place and remain utterly silent during the worship service. God is the author of peace, not disorder or confusion.
Scriptural exceptions must be modified by scriptural law. This makes the most sense when applied to women being “subject as also the law says” in I Corinthians 14:34.
In I Corinthians 14:35, a possible explanation is given for why Paul would command silence from women in worship services. Perhaps women asked their husbands questions while the speaker was preaching. There is a time and place for such questions, just not during worship services. Paul concludes his thoughts on this command by saying it is shameful for women to speak or talk in worship services.
Footnotes
- W. Frank Walton – “absolute silence, to hold one’s peace, to not make a sound.” (article: “Let Women Keep Silent in the Churches,” March 18, 2006.
- “Be silent, keep still, say nothing, stop speaking, hold one’s peace, conceal, silence” (The Complete Biblical Library).
