1 CorinthiansSample

Tongues, prophecy, teaching—all of these are gifts from God that are meant to serve the church. In this section, Paul gives practical guidance on how these gifts can be used for the good of all within the church context of that time. In doing so, two principles clearly emerge: Everything that happens in the worship service should contribute to edification and be done in an orderly manner.

Chapter 14 suggests that both principles were apparently not being sufficiently observed in Corinth, which is why Paul now addresses concrete situations.

It is against this background that Paul’s so-called command to be silent must be understood: Prophets, tongue-speakers, and women should all be silent when their contributions disrupt the edification and order of the worship service. The Greek word σιγάω (sigáō), which Luther translates as “to be silent,” can also mean “to be reserved” or “to keep quiet.” Thus, it does not necessarily have to be understood as an absolute prohibition on speaking.

Here, too, the role of women is addressed. Anyone looking only at this one text might hastily assume a misogynistic attitude in Paul. But as was shown on Day 19, “submission” in the New Testament is not primarily to be understood in the sense of hierarchy or command authority, but rather as fitting into a relationship structure established by God. This does not mean a devaluing of women, but the recognition of different roles and responsibilities. Paul by no means considers women inferior—this is shown not only by his words in Galatians 3:28, but also by his appreciative interaction with many female coworkers whom he names (e.g., Philippians 4:2–3; Romans 16:1–16). The prophecy of Joel also explicitly applies to both men and women (Joel 2:28-29).

It is therefore plausible that Paul, in this text, is referring to a specific situation in Corinth in which women were conspicuously disrupting the worship service. This is also connected to the social situation of the time:

In Greco-Roman culture, women were under male guardianship and were severely restricted, both socially and legally. The public sphere was reserved for men; women moved primarily within the private sphere. Making a public appearance—especially without a head covering or with a loud voice—was considered inappropriate. Although women in cities like Corinth had some more freedoms, the society remained patriarchal in character.

The message of the gospel, however, stands in contrast to this: it proclaims the equality of all believers in Christ (cf. Galatians 3:28). Paul seems here to be striving to find wise regulations for the specific situation in ancient Corinth, so that “edification” and “order” in the life of the church might be preserved even under these circumstances.

For Reflection

Where in my church life do I exercise my freedom—a freedom I have in part because of the gospel—but in doing so overlook that it can sometimes stand in the way of order and/or the edification of others?

How can I shape my freedom so that it becomes a blessing not just for me, but for the entire church?