1 Corinthians 14: 34, 35
“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”

The concern is that we would take the text out of context. First, let’s define the context. The section of scripture which contains a theme, the context is 1st Corinthians 14:26-40 which talks about the order of worship within the church. There is a larger context. The chapter itself talks about the spiritual gifts of prophesy and tongues and how they are to be utilized. To put this in perspective, this is no different than analyzing literature or a song or anything else. You need to understand the story to understand the intent of one small passage.

The primary focus of   26-40 is this, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). In the context of the chapter, you can see that the concern is that those who are speaking in tongues will cause confusion if there is no one with the gift of prophesy to interpret or if too many are speaking at the same time. Paul clarifies tongues further when he builds an argument that, “Tongues… are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers” (1 Corinthians 14:22).

“As the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:24). This statement from the book of Ephesians is to back up the statement that wives are really intended to be in a place of submission to their husbands. It is the husband who is to lead the wife spiritually just as Christ leads the church spiritually. However, Christians are not so naïve as to believe that women cannot obtain spiritual wisdom and that is why it says, “If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home” (1 Corinthians 14:34). It almost seems that the husband is in complete authority over the wife, but the reality is that there is a balance in the relationship. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25).

Getting back on track, it is explained better in 1 Timothy. “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man” (1 Timothy 2:11, 12). The understanding here is that a woman would have authority over a man if she were to speak out in church. She may have authority over children and other women because that is not forbidden. This section of scripture also has the same context which is orderly worship.

Analysis of 1 Corinthians 14: 34, 35