1 Corinthians 14:35

Contextual Overview

³⁴ The women should keep quiet in these church meetings. They are not allowed to speak out but should be under authority, as the Law of Moses says. ³⁴ the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. ³⁴ Let youre wyves kepe silence in the cogregacions. For it is not permitted vnto them to speake: but let them be vnder obedience as sayth the lawe. ³⁴ let your wives keep silence in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says. ³⁴ the[fn][fn] women must keep silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak out, but must place themselves in submission, as the law also says.Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:11-12; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1;">[xr] ³⁴ the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. ³⁴ women should keep quiet in the church meetings. They are not allowed to speak, but they must yield to this rule as the law says. ³⁴ let the women keep silent in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also the law says. ³⁴ Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted to them to speak: but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. ³⁴ the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

let: Ephesians 5:25-27, 1 Peter 3:7

a shame: 1 Corinthians 14:34, 1 Corinthians 11:6, 1 Corinthians 11:14, Ephesians 5:12

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 14:31 - all may learn 1 Timothy 2:11 - General

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And if they will learn anything,.... If they are desirous of learning anything in relation to doctrine, duty, or discipline, and of improving their knowledge of divine things, which is very commendable in them; if any difficulty arises in their minds whilst hearing the word, which they want to have removed, or any question to ask for information sake,

let them ask their husbands at home; privately, when retired from the public assembly; for though men might ask one another concerning this, and the other point, in the church, as was usual in the synagogue worship, to which this church at Corinth in many things conformed; yet women were not allowed this freedom, and even in things which belonged to women to do; as for instance, making the cake of the first of their dough, which was to be an heave offering to the Lord, the men were to teach the women at home how, and when to separate it from the rest d. So the apostle directs women, when they wanted to be informed about any point, to apply to their husbands at their own houses, if they were such as were capable of instructing them; if not, they might apply to other men that were Christian men, and men of knowledge, especially to the prophets, pastors, and teachers of the church, at their habitations:

for it is a shame for women to speak in the church; it is a shame to themselves, as being contrary to the natural modesty and bashfulness of the sex, and a shame to the church, to the non-members of it, and especially to the elders, and more experienced part of it, to be taught and directed by a woman; it is a disgrace to herself and sex, as betraying uncommon pride and vanity, and an unnatural boldness and confidence; and a disgrace to the church to be under such a ministry and conduct.

d Bartenora in Misn. Challa, c. 3. sect. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And if they will learn anything - If anything has been spoken which they do not understand; or if on any particular subject they desire more full information, let them inquire of their husbands in their own dwelling. They may there converse freely; and their inquiries will not be attended with the irregularity and disorder which would occur should they interrupt the order and solemnity of public worship.

For it is a shame - It is disreputable and shameful; it is a breach of propriety. Their station in life demands modesty, humility, and they should be free from the ostentation of appearing so much in public as to take part in the public services of teaching and praying. It does not become their rank in life; it is not fulfilling the object which God evidently intended them to fill. He has appointed people to rule; to hold offices; to instruct and govern the church; and it is improper that women should assume that office upon themselves. This evidently and obviously refers to the church assembled for public worship, in the ordinary and regular acts of devotion. There the assembly is made up of males and females, of old and young, and there it is improper for them to take part in conducting the exercises. But this cannot be interpreted as meaning that it is improper for females to speak or to pray in meetings of their own sex, assembled for prayer or for benevolence; nor that it is improper for a female to speak or to pray in a Sunday School. Neither of these come under the apostle’s idea of a church. And in such meetings, no rule of propriety or of the Scriptures is violated in their speaking for the edification of each other, or in leading in social prayer. It may be added here, that on this subject the Jews were very strenuous, and their laws were very strict. The Rabbis taught that a woman should know nothing but the use of the distaff, and they were specially prohibited from asking questions in the synagogue, or even from reading. See Lightfoot. The same rule is still observed by the Jews in the synagogues.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 35. For it is a shame for women to speak in the church. — The Jews would not suffer a woman to read in the synagogue; though a servant or even a child, had this permission; but the apostle refers to irregular conduct, such conduct as proved that they were not under obedience, 1 Corinthians 14:34.