Serving in the Church

Does Paul exclude women from serving during worship in First Corinthians? Let's find out.

Do we meet our own needs instead of relying on God? Do we expect God to rescue us when we act foolishly? Do we think a shortcut to our final destiny (i.e., heaven) is possible? If so, most Christians would agree that these are not the thoughts and acts that align us with Christ. These were the temptations Satan used to tempt Christ and are still the temptations within His Body, common to all. Luckily, Christ showed us how to escape the snare of the devil. These are to:

Understand all of scripture

Keep the summum bonum front and center in all we do.

Not tempt God by foolish deeds.

These three are also Paul’s focus in First Corinthians. Paul knew that there are no shortcuts in life. Anyone not edifying the congregation in Corinth was told to be silent. Or as Jesus put it, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Satan is chaotic and disruptive, and that is not the Way of Christ. All are invited to the table. All participate, all commune, all give, all receive in an orderly Way. That includes women. The only Way to understand scripture is within an orderly searching and seeking community.

If we truly wish to understand scripture, why would we wish to silence others who might have an insight we lack?

Here’s the Thing:

If women are not prophets, the Spirit was not poured out on them.

If women are not kings, the blood of the Lamb cannot wash their sins away.

If women are not priests, the Lord cannot receive their sacrifices.

We know, for scripture tells us, that the Spirit was poured out on women (Acts 2:17) and this makes women prophets. We know, for scripture tells us, that the blood of the Lamb washes sins away (John 1:29). To be washed in the blood is to receive white robes (Revelation 7:14) and reign as kings. We know, for scripture tells us, that God receives the sacrifices of all (Romans 12:1). To be a living sacrifice makes women priests.

Women, as prophets, priests, and kings, speak as oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). An oracle is a person through whom God speaks. If God speaks through women, it’s foolish to silence them. The Church must unite, all Christians everywhere, because this is the Way the Kingdom is established. Because all scripture must be known, each person has a role to play in enlightening others. Remember that it may appear some are higher in hierarchy and have greater knowledge, but Jesus said the least are the greatest among us. All must be listened to.

This keeps God front and center. Because God is omnipresent, each person speaks as God’s oracle. To listen respectfully to all means to acknowledge God in our midst. It’s dangerous to tempt God by behaving foolishly to silence others. Often, we silence others based upon our own pride, whether that pride is the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or honor. All good comes from God. Our job is to seek the treasure that is God alone, wherever that treasure abides. Will some speak with Satan’s voice? Of course. This is why Paul gave his guidelines.

Let’s look at the passage, First Corinthians 14:23-35.

Gathering In

In my King James Version Bible, this passage is entitled “Rules for service in church.” That, along with many commentaries I have read (and my own judgment), indicates this passage speaks of correct practices during worship services.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. ~ I Corinthians 14:23-26

The words to note so far are these: “the whole church,” “all speak,” and “all prophesy.” These words tell us that Paul is telling both men and women to “speak with tongues” and to “prophesy.” The whole church would necessarily include both male and female members. If it is the whole church, order during worship is the thrust of this passage. Let’s continue.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. ~ verse 27

Most of us grew up hearing the word brethren used to indicate all Christians and rightly so, as we learn from the very mouth of Jesus: “While he (Jesus) yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:46-50, emphasis mine.)” Clearly, Jesus equates brethren with brother and sister. Any person who follows him is his brethren.

Let’s continue.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. ~verses 27-33

In this section note “any man,” “him,” and “all prophesy.” What of the use of “any man”? The use of “man” indicates a person, whether male or female. We’ve seen this over and over from the beginning of the Bible, “God created man in his own image, male and female created he them.” Also note that in the Greek, the actual word translated as “man” in First Corinthians is tis which means “anyone.”1

Before we look at the next two verses, consider why Paul wrote all, everyone, anyone when he gave rules for prophesying and speaking during worship service. Is it significant that the Holy Spirit, through Paul, chose words that were not indicative of the person’s gender? I believe it has great significance because Paul does not silence women, either here or elsewhere in his letters. As a matter of fact, he tells women to speak in tongues and prophesy. Consider this: If he later silenced women after urging all to speak, what would that mean? It would mean he was not writing by the work of the Holy Spirit but by his own capricious mind. And I don’t believe that for a second. Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit unless he plainly states that it is his own thoughts. If led by the Spirit, his words cannot direct and inform us in one direction and then a few verses later state something contradictory.

If we accept the premise that verses 23-33 were written to the entire church, men and women, let’s consider Paul’s purpose in writing this passage. Confusion reigned during the worship service as we see in verse 23: If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? Everyone speaking at once in various tongues would appear as madness to a casual observer. And what would be the point if the words did not edify? Paul proposed a solution to the disorder in verses 27 and 28. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Instead of everyone speaking in tongues, only two or three should speak and then, only if there is an interpreter. Paul specified a certain situation, "no interpreter," that would lead the speaker to be silent. He did not silence the speakers in tongues for all time everywhere but only in this particular situation that was chaotic and madness.

Note the word silence. There are three Greek words translated “quiet or silence” in the New Testament. These Greek words are siopao which means total silence, sigao which means to quiet down, and husuchadzo which means peace.2 The word used in verse 28 is sigao which means “to quiet down,” if there was not an interpreter, not total silence.

We find this word again in verse 30: If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. Note that here the word sigao is translated “hold his peace.” 

This word is used a third time in verse thirty-four and is translated as silence.

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 (verse 34).

Here's the Kicker

Sigao translated “keep silence” in verse 34 is the very same word in verse thirty that is translated “hold his peace.” 

As I have noted above, verses 23-33 were addressed to the church and all were given guidelines on how to speak and prophesy. Now, Paul targeted another problem in worship.

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. ~ verse 35

What are we to make of these verses? The following considerations need to be pondered. First, Paul has called for people to quiet down three times. “To quiet down” does not hold the same meaning as “be silent.”

Second, consider the Greek word lalein, the word translated as “speak.” It is in the present active infinitive, and thus, could be translated “to continue speaking.” Remember that Paul has addressed speaking in tongues and how some were talking over each other. He also addressed those not taking turns when prophesying. Could it be the women, speaking in tongues and prophesying, were refusing to yield to others? Or could these women have been interrogating their husbands rigorously, perhaps monopolizing the conversation? Were they asking too many elementary questions? Remember that women had not had the opportunity to participate in public speaking until now. Whatever they were doing, Paul says “it is a shame.”

Paul limits wives’ speech, certainly, but to what degree? Complete silence? Or respectful listening? The wives were not a group of unruly school children but mature seekers of the wisdom of God and should have behaved as such. They should cease talking to learn from husbands.

But why does Paul remind husbands that their wives are under subjection, that they are not permitted to speak? Some type of chaotic situation was happening between wives and husbands at Corinth. This is not an embarrassing situation but a shameful one. Think what the behavior must have been for Paul to have used such a strong word. He reminded the husbands that the wives are under subjection. But why? No scripture in the Old Testament places women under the subjection of men. The only verse that comes close is Genesis 3:16 that says, “he shall rule over thee (emphasis mine).” The word used by God is he “shall,” not “should.” God is not commanding men to rule over women but is telling Eve the consequences of her sin, "what shall happen not what should happen.

Some insist that God commanded man to rule woman from the beginning of creation, but the man could not have ruled the woman before the Fall or else his rule would not have been considered part of the curse or consequence of her sin. What of this curse? Is it still in effect? Well, no. Jesus came to release us from the curse.

Jesus came to set the captive free.

If scripture does not say that women are to be in obedience, then what law does Paul refer to? The Roman law. It was against Roman law for women to disobey their husbands. Paul, here in Chapter Fourteen of First Corinthians, attempted to keep the wives (and by extension, the church) out of trouble with the Roman authorities.3 Paul wished to keep the fledgling church out of conflict with the reigning Romans, but conflict was inevitable. Our quest for the summum bonum will bring us into conflict with others, but we do not go looking for trouble; trouble comes to us.

Reaching Out

The Hebrew law was abolished. “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Ephesians 2:15a).

No one is under subjection; Christ rules in the kingdom; enmity is destroyed.

Let’s summarize:

Paul wrote that the entire church, men and women, were to speak in tongues and prophesy in an orderly way.

Paul told people to “keep their peace” when others spoke.

To maintain order, Paul spoke specifically to husbands about their wives’ behavior.

a. Their wives, allowed for the first time to participate in public speaking, were told to ask questions of their husbands at home.

b. Paul called the wives’ continued speaking shameful.

c. Roman law required women to be under subjection to their husbands.

The young church would be in danger if Roman authorities got wind of the disobedient wives or chaotic behavior that was disruptive to Roman society.

Paul intent was not to silence but to equip the Christians at Corinth to live faithfully in the worldly Roman society. Paul knew that scripture is a tapestry with the Logos woven in every thread. Each time a person speaks of Christ, the tapestry grows in beauty.

To silence others is to pull out the threads and destroy the design of the Logos.

Winding Up

One day reconciliation will be fully realized, and God’s kingdom will be on earth as it is in heaven. Until that day, we must learn to work in community, the community of our church. Jesus is our standard. We must continually study the words of the Bible to align with Him. The church is our family with the give and take of a good family, growing and learning from one another, not imposing harsh rules, not imposing silence, but imposing order so learning benefits all.

A good family, a good church is ordered freedom. Ordered freedom is the Way we learn at the feet of Jesus. Our struggles, our submission to God, and our transformations will lead us to proper relationships. In the Garden, perfect unity existed between the male and female. For the church to be effective, this unity must be restored in all Christian relationships.

Each church must grapple with scripture and then make decisions based upon that grappling. Those people who disagree shake the dust from their feet and walk in the Way without condemnation. It takes the plucking out of the eye, the spitting out of forbidden fruit, and the humbling of our souls, to rid ourselves of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life that twists scripture to our own destruction. The Way to unity in our churches that flows into our world is freeing all to speak.

It is only when the grapes are crushed and pressed that wine is produced. It is only in the pressing in our lives that we can say with Paul, “if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all (Philippians 2:17).”

May we rejoice even in the crushing. Amen.

Next up, part two when we will cover verses thirty-six to forty.

Footnotes:

1 Strong’s gives the definition as: a certain one, someone, anyone. (Strong’s Concordance 5100)

2 adapted from The Most Excellent Way by Eldred Echols, page 170

3 A quick Google search yielded this: (I)n general, women in ancient Rome were expected to be subservient to their husbands and had limited legal rights. It was a patriarchal society where the husband had authority over his wife and children.