The question of whether women should remain silent in church has been debated for centuries. In 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Paul writes:
“Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.”
What does this passage mean? Was Paul saying that women should never speak in church? To fully understand, it’s important to look at the context, culture, and cross-references within the Bible.
Understanding the Context
A single verse should never be used to establish a universal rule without considering the full context. 1 Corinthians 14 is part of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, where he addresses the misuse of spiritual gifts and the need for order in worship services.
At the beginning of this section, Paul writes:
“Now dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.” – 1 Corinthians 12:1
This shows that Paul was responding to a specific concern about spiritual gifts in church gatherings. Later, in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28, he gives instructions about speaking in tongues:
“No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.”
Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 14:29-30, he addresses prophecy:
“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.”
The pattern here is about maintaining order in worship. Paul’s instruction for women to “be silent” in verses 34-35 should be understood in the same way—not as a universal command for all women in all churches, but as a specific directive for a specific issue within the Corinthian church.
Cultural Considerations
Understanding the culture of Corinth at the time also provides insight into this passage.
First, Paul’s instruction assumes that women should ask their husbands at home if they have questions. But what about unmarried women or widows? This alone suggests the instruction was not meant to be a universal rule for all women.
Second, many scholars believe that women in Corinth were often uneducated and did not have the theological knowledge to evaluate prophecies accurately. In early church gatherings, prophets would speak, and others would discern whether the message was from God. If untrained women were interrupting these discussions with questions or opinions, it could have caused disorder.
Given this context, Paul’s instruction for women to be silent was likely a practical solution for that specific church, not a blanket rule for all women in every church setting.
Cross-Referencing Other Scriptures
Another way to interpret difficult Bible passages is by examining what the rest of Scripture says on the same topic. If one interpretation contradicts other parts of the Bible, it is likely incorrect.
In this case, there are several passages that actually encourage women to speak in church:
• 1 Corinthians 11:5 – “But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head.”
• Acts 2:17 – “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy.”
Both passages show women praying and prophesying—speaking—in church. If Paul had meant for women to always remain silent, these verses would contradict his teaching. Instead, they indicate that women were allowed to speak under the right circumstances.
What Does This Mean For Today?
The Bible teaches that male leadership in the church is God’s original design, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Timothy 3, and 1 Corinthians 11:3. However, this does not mean women are prohibited from speaking in church. The overwhelming biblical evidence shows that women can pray, prophesy, sing, and participate in worship services.
Rather than being a universal rule for all churches, Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 was likely meant to address a specific problem in the Corinthian church. When interpreted alongside other scriptures, it becomes clear that women can and should have a voice in the church today—just as they did in the early church.