The cultural aspect

Today’s passage is a difficult one, but I will attempt to explain it as best I can. The key to understanding it is the context. In addition to the literary context of this letter, we must also take into account the cultural context of the time. By doing so, we can distinguish between commands that were culturally specific and those that are universally applicable. (1) The church at Corinth was struggling with disorder in its gatherings. Paul wrote this letter in order to correct that problem. (2) One cause of the disorder was the misuse of spiritual gifts, but another was the uninhibited speaking of the women during the public assemblies. (3) In the culture of that time, it was considered shameful for women to speak publicly. Yet in the Corinthian church, some women, using Christian freedom as a pretext, had embraced an undisciplined and self-willed form of liberty. (4) Paul was deeply concerned about how the church of Christ would be perceived by those outside the church in the morally corrupt city of Corinth. More so, His concern was for more people to come to salvation.

Specific instructions

Against the backdrop of this cultural context, Paul gives his teaching concerning women. (1) Let us first consider the positive side. In 1 Corinthians 11:5, Paul acknowledges that women who have received revelation may prophesy. (2) What he forbids is the practice of interrupting the public gathering by freely directing questions at the revelations and teachings being presented. This is the context in which he says, “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak.” (3) The Law (ref. Gen.3:16; 1 Cor. 11:3, etc.) instructs women to submit to the order of creation. If they have questions, they should ask their husbands at home. (4) It was a serious problem that the Corinthian church was allowing practices concerning the conduct of women that were contrary to the custom of all the churches. Such behavior reflected the arrogance of acting as though the Corinthian church were the very origin of the Christian faith. When reading the Scripture, it is important not only to focus on the words themselves but also to discern the “spirit of the Law” in the background. This passage was not written to place women under bondage, but to preserve order in the church so that more people might come to salvation. Let us walk today with the goal of demonstrating love and building up others.