1 Corinthians 14:34, "not permited to speak"

For they are not permitted to speak,
They are to be silent because they are not permitted to speak. The command for women to be silent is given a reason here – "for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves". The Greek for the word "speak" means simply to speak or talk. It is used in this text for public speaking, which is involved throughout this passage. This does not prohibit worship or corporate expressions such as cooperate praying or cooperate speaking in tongues or corporate prophesying as in Acts 2. It does allow for cooperate expressions in the church, as is seen in other places and here in scripture. The context of speech here within this chapter is public speaking in the assembly.

-- It is obvious that the women here are commanded to be silent in the churches, because they are to be in subjection, for this is what the scriptures says, but why does Paul say they are not permitted to speak? Is this an emphatic expression confirming that they are not to speak, so that there will be no misunderstanding of what Paul means. In a sense saying "Women are not to be silent, let me repeat that so you understand and there is no confusion, they are not permitted to speak." Or is Paul telling the women that because they are not permitted to speak and are to be in subjection they are to be silent. This would still mean that women are never to teach or have authority, but on top of that they are to be subject to the rules placed on them. Later Paul says that it is shameful for a woman to speak. These possible points need to be addressed fully and are significant to understanding these verses.

I do not think we should be quick to cancel out these verses. We must remember that these words are God breathed. They come from God! They are not wasted words. They are here because they are important and meaningful. It may be that women are not to speak in the church. (And something that cannot be argued is that Paul was telling the women in the all the churches of his day not to speak. This is abundantly clear. So that must be taken seriously.) I think sometimes we are so bound by our cultural perspectives and by the world that tie us down in chains and miss out on the great freedom, goodness and beauty of the Lord. We should not be afraid, if God is saying that women should not speak in the church, for He is good and we can trust that it is for our good, even if we don’t understand it. It does seem to be clear that the upfront statement here in these verses is that women are not to speak in the church. We cannot evade that. And if we try to cancel that out because it makes us feel uncomfortable, we are doing a great grievance and injustice to the scripture and telling God that we do not trust Him. It is hard for me, but we should not disregard or disobey God’s word lightly. Unless one can come up with a strong case for women to be allowed to speak, then we should obey the teaching of these verses and honor God and trust His word.

-- Personal note: I do not feel comfortable with not allowing women to speak. I am having a hard time with that and it’s a strong struggle for me. But my trust in God must come above what I feel or want. I would rather trust God and not have women speaking and err (if it is an "err") on the side of obedience, than to base my actions or interpretation on what I feel and neglect or take lightly God’s word. I don’t have the definite word on this yet, I don’t know whether women should or should not speak at all. At this point I could make a strong case for both sides from these scriptures. I still have some questions that I am taking before the Lord on this, and I don’t want to be quick to make a stand on this. But when it comes to a trust issue, do I trust God?

- -The question needs to be "How do I obey these verses?" "Am I obeying these verses?" not "How do I prove them wrong?"

In 1 Peter 3 Paul says that women are to win over there own ungodly husbands through there conduct, without a word. The Proverbs 31 women influenced the city gates by her conduct without speaking a word at the city gates. (I think there is a beauty in this as there is in a flower; a captivating and strong beauty.) If God is commanding women not to speak, it is not a great hindrance. Power of God does not come from the "wise" or the "strong" things of this world. And we should not put our hopes on those things. I do not believe it is those who teach or have authority that have the most influence, but those who are lowly and live out the Gospel and the Word with their lives. This is where real strength is. Personally for me I do not see God using me in power by my seeking to speak or to have authority. I don’t think that I would have more influence, if I were a pastor or a leader. My strength and influence comes not from speaking or having authority, but from faithfully living out God’s word. It is not my purpose to be great, but instead to make Him great. And in the church it is not for me to build my self up to greatness, but to serve and build up others to greatness. This is my treasure. This is my reward in the Lord.