Women in Church

Since God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints, the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church meeting. 1Cor 14:32-25

 

Now, this seems to be a red rag to a bull, yes? I am glad I had the opportunity to read books written about Paul's teaching and realise that there was another story that we do not know about. I can already see great disorder with everybody babbling away, loudly in tongues without interpretation, everybody wanting to have a say and because no one knew what was being said women talking out of order trying to work out what was being said.

 

It is always important to look at the big picture. Paul was trying to bring order. In regard to his attitude to women, he is generally very favourable and in no way derogatory so we must take this in that light.

 

Have you ever attended a women's afternoon tea? Everyone talks at once. The noise is deafening. Throw that into the mix and you have great disarray. Commanding that women wait and talk about what has been said, at home, was Paul's way of trying to bring some sort of order.

 

When I solve problems I pull the problem apart and deal with one part at a time, Paul is doing this. Receive it I the grace it was given.