Does the Bible really teach that women are to remain silent in church? Silent silent? For all time? Why did Paul say this and what did he mean?

1 Corinthians 14:34 says, "Women should remain silent in the church. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission as the law says," but WHY and WHAT does Paul mean in saying this??? And what about this nonexistent "law"? How can we make sense of this passage, especially given the many other ways that Paul encourages men AND women to participate (with the spoken word!) in church?  Listen in to find out more!

In Part 1 in this study of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35,  Krista Lucich, explores current biblical scholarship on this difficult passage of scripture and offers several helpful explanations that don't necessary require women to take a vow of silence whenever they enter a church. Check out Part 2 to take a critical look at ways that some people use this verse to support the marginalization of women in church settings.

I'd LOVE to hear from you! Leave me a message here! Find me on facebook!

Please check out the sources used in preparation for this episode:

1 Corinthians 1:5-10, 11:21, 12:12, 12:21, 14:1-40, NIV

Bristow, John Temple. What Paul Really Said About Women.  Harper & Row, 1988.

Hill, Graham Joseph. Holding Up Half the Sky: A Biblical Case for Women Leading and Teaching in the Church. Cascade Books, 2020.

McKnight, Scot. The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible. Zondervan, 2008.

Keener, Craig. "Learning In The Assemblies: 1 Corinthians 14:34-35." Groothius and Pierce, Discovering Biblical Equality: Complimentarity Without Hierarchy. Intervarsity Press, 2004.

Westfall, Cynthia Long. Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostle's Vision for Men and Women In Christ. Baker Academic, 2016.

Helpful articles by Marg Mowzcko are here, and here.

John MacArthur's full sermon can be found here.

Music by BenSound.com