What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 14:35? If they wish to inquire about something Paul has just said, “the women are to keep silent in the churches” (1 Corinthians 14:34). Silence, however, is not ignorance. The phrase “If they wish to inquire about something” shows that women are encouraged to learn and to ask questions. • This reflects Jesus’ welcome of Mary, who “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message” (Luke 10:39). • Believers are always urged to “search the Scriptures” (Acts 17:11) and “get wisdom, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:5–7). • Yet such inquiry must not disrupt congregational order, because “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). They are to ask their own husbands at home The Spirit directs the learning moment to the home, where the husband bears primary responsibility for spiritual leadership. • Headship: “The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23). • Discipleship at home: “These words that I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. Teach them diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). • Mutual honor: Husbands must live with their wives “in an understanding way … so that your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). Benefits of this pattern: – It maintains decorum in the assembly. – It reinforces the husband’s duty to know and teach Scripture. – It allows questions to be answered thoroughly without interrupting corporate worship. For it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church “Dishonorable” points to what brings shame or disorder in public worship. Paul is not silencing every form of female participation (women pray and prophesy in 1 Corinthians 11:5); he is restricting the kind of speaking that examines, challenges, or judges prophetic words (compare 1 Corinthians 14:29). • Similar guidance appears in “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man” (1 Timothy 2:12). • Titus is told that “older women” should teach what is good—within the spheres God assigns (Titus 2:3–5). • The aim is consistent order: “Everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner” (1 Corinthians 14:40). By accepting this boundary, women honor God’s design and protect the unity of the gathered body. Summary 1 Corinthians 14:35 establishes a practical guideline for orderly worship: women who have questions are warmly encouraged to learn, yet they should direct those questions to their husbands at home rather than interrogate speakers during the service. This practice upholds God-ordained headship, preserves peace in the congregation, and still promotes robust spiritual growth for women. |
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