Women and Silence

I am currently preaching on the importance of being a Spiritual Church - not just a community or a building. In this context the current discourse is on how the church should be a supernatural organism that exists in the spiritual and the physical. On Palm Sunday we discussed, actually I lectured, on the importance and role of the Gifts of the Spirit in a Spiritual Church.

Two people raised questions about women in the church. The context of the questions came from 1 Corinthians 14. Should women be silent in the church? How do we know this is a cultural statement?

There are some clues in this passage that indicate Paul's intent. First, he is giving other orderly ways that the church should conduct herself. He is most concerned about how the church is perceived by those who come in from the outside and whether the church is doing things in an orderly and fitting manner. He gives some instructions: some of which are more relevant to the church in America today and others less so.

Peace comes from God, but order is defined by culture and context.

Everything from verse 26 through 38 is the cultural application of the doctrine of the gifts outlined in the previous discourse. Note vs. 26, "What shall we say..." and then vs. 39, "Therefore, my brothers..." One is the beginning of the discourse on cultural application of the universal principle and the other is the conclusion of the application and the conclusion of the "sermon on the Gifts" that began in 12:1. Therefore, I also would concur that the "2, or at the most 3 prophets" reference of verse 29 is also cultural - but it is relevant to our culture today. "Orderly & fitting" is impossible without exegeting the culture as well as the scripture.

Second, Paul was certainly not against women serving in ministry. One of Paul's disciples was Priscilla, the wife of Aquila, who together were gifted missionaries. Some have argued that Priscilla was the teacher and prophet while Aquila was the administrator. This is not a hugely strong argument other than the issue that Priscilla is always listed first in the book of Acts - something Luke did. He always listed the primary speaker first, (Paul & Silas, Paul & Timothy, Barnabas & Paul and then Paul & Barnabas, Peter & John, etc.).

This has direct bearing on our passage because it gives us understanding that what Paul is trying to communicate to the church in Corinth is that having women speaking in their context was not fitting and orderly. Paul knew Corinth -- he understood the context.

A Vibrant Church is one that knows the culture and context in which She ministers and speaks into the culture in such a manner that the culture itself is transformed.