Do Women Need to be Silent in Church?

by Peter John Brooks

Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. (1 Corinthians 14:34-38)

Does this mean that women cannot speak in the church, and they must remain quiet?

Before answering, it’s important to recognize three important facts.

First: Obeying God is always a blessing. We may not understand all the reasons for doing something, but that’s ok. God understands more about spiritual realities than us, so we need to trust him. God loves us and wants the best for us, and all his instructions are for our benefit.

“His commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). 

God’s commands lead to life.

Second: Men and women are equal before God. They have the same access and standing before God through the blood of Jesus Christ. They are of equal spiritual value and are both made in the image of God.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

Third: Speaking in church is not necessary the highest calling for a Christian. It’s possible to participate powerfully in a church meeting without speaking. Quiet, godly participation in a meeting can shape the spiritual atmosphere and dramatically affect the quality of a gathering. We don’t need prominent, visible roles in church in order to please God.

“And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39).

Different Roles in Church

Men and women have different roles within the church, and these differing roles are revealed throughout the New Testament (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Corinthians 11:3-16; 1 Timothy 2:11-15). Men and women perform different functions in church. All functions in the body of Christ are important, and the unique functions of men and women are essential for the building of the church. If any of these special functions are left undone, the church will be unable to fulfill its purpose.

This Instruction is Irrelevant in Most of Today’s Churches

In most churches today, the instruction that women remain silent in church is largely irrelevant. It’s irrelevant because almost everyone is silent in church. One or two pastors speak, while everyone else sits quietly in the pews. If a member of the congregation (whether man or woman) stands up and speaks in the middle of most church services, this is seen as disruptive.

This unspoken principle that almost everyone should remain silent in church today is widely adhered to and rarely questioned.

This Instruction is Important for House Churches

In the New Testament, believers met together in house churches. In house churches, many people speak – they share their insights, ask for prayer, and function in their spiritual gifts. A command that women not speak in the church has serious implications in a house church because there are many opportunities for participation. This command was originally given to house churches.

Although NT house churches were generally open for participation, they weren’t a free-for-all. Things had to be done in an orderly way, and there were limitations on who could talk within the church and when they could talk. 1 Corinthians 14 gives a lot of these details, showing who can speak in church and who cannot. The word speak – the Greek word lalei – is used approximately 80 times in all the NT epistles. More than 25% of the use of this word is in 1 Corinthians 14, which gives several guidelines about speaking in church.

Among other things, 1 Corinthians 14 reveals that a person who had the gift of tongues had to be silent with his gift of tongues in the church if there was no interpreter (1 Cor. 14:28). One who prophesied had to be silent if another person got a revelation from God (1 Cor. 14:29-30). Only two or three prophets could speak in a church meeting (1 Cor. 14:29). Speaking in the church meeting is to be regulated by the word of God.

Answering 16 Arguments Against The Command that Women Be Silent in the Church

At first glance, the command that women be silent in the church seems to mean exactly what it says – that women cannot talk in church meetings. 

However, many arguments have been given to why this command means something else. We will list 16 of these arguments and examine whether they are reasonable and Biblical.

1. Unruly Women: Women in Corinth were particularly unruly. Paul told them to be quiet in church in order to prevent them from disrupting the assembly. This command does not apply to other churches where women are not unruly.

Answer: There is no Biblical evidence that Christian women in ancient Corinth were particularly unruly. To assume that they were, and to discard this instruction on that basis, is unwarranted.

2: Only For Corinth: For various reasons, women had to be silent only in the churches in Corinth. This command did not apply to other New Testament churches.

Answer: The Bible doesn’t say that this command was only for the churches of Corinth. Instead, the instructions Paul gave to Corinth applied to other churches (1 Corinthians 4:17). Paul said that these instructions were for “all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Interestingly, this clause in verse 33 should probably be included along with verse 34, so the full sentence would read: “As in all churches of the saints, let your women keep silence in the churches…” It is translated this way in several English versions. Moreover, there are no recorded examples of women speaking in any churches in the NT.

In his letter to the Corinthians Paul also prohibits speaking in tongues in church without interpretation. Was this prohibition against tongues without interpretation only for the Corinthian church? Claiming that the prohibition against women speaking in the church was only for Corinth opens the door to potentially throwing out other important NT church instructions, for it could be claimed that these instructions were only for that specific audience.

3. Seating Arrangements: In NT church meetings, women sat on one side of the room and men sat on the other. If women were to ask their husbands questions during church, they would have to shout over a long distance and the meeting would be disrupted. Paul told women to be quiet in church in order to avoid such disruptions. Today, church seating arrangements are different and husbands and wives sit together; therefore the command that women be silent no longer applies.

Answer: There is no Biblical evidence that in NT churches men sat on one side and women sat on the other. Instead, people were probably scattered throughout the room as they shared a meal together, and families probably sat together. Moreover, Paul prohibits women speaking in church, not merely asking their husbands questions.

4. Synagogue Worship Styles: The early church was patterned on the format and structure of the synagogue. In synagogues women had to be silent. Therefore they had to be silent in church so as to not offend Jewish church members who were accustomed to the synagogue way of worship.

Answer: The church is not modeled after the synagogue, but after the teachings of Christ and his apostles. The practices in ancient synagogues and early churches were very different. For example, the synagogue met on Saturday, but churches met on Sunday. Synagogues met in buildings, but the church met in homes. The apostles did not base their understanding of the NT church on synagogue rituals, but on revelation from the Holy Spirit. 

5. Cultural Norms: There were unique cultural norms in the first century, and women were looked down upon and considered second-class. Paul told women to be silent in the church in order to fit into first century culture. Now culture has changed, and women have more equality. The command that women be silent in the church is now culturally anachronistic and therefore no longer applies.

Answer: The commands of the Bible are not based on changing cultures, but on God’s unchanging nature. If we discard the commands of the Bible based on changing cultures, then we might reject a lot of unpopular commands that go against the culture. This would put culture in authority over God, and this would be wrong. There is no Biblical indication that this instruction can be discarded based on cultural changes. In addition, God certainly never viewed women as second-class.

6. Paul’s Misogyny: Paul didn’t like women, which is why he gave this command. He never got married himself for this reason. Jesus, on the other hand loved women, valued them, and exalted them. We can therefore ignore Paul’s instructions about women and follow the example of Jesus.

Answer: There is no evidence in the NT that Paul hated women. In fact he says men and women are of equal spiritual value (Galatians 3:28). The teachings of Jesus and the teachings of Paul in the Bible are all inspired by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture was ultimately written by God (1 Timothy 3:16), who loves women as much as he loves men. The command that women be silent in the church, like all of God’s commands, is a good command that comes from the Father’s heart of love, and he will bless those who obey it.

7. Paul’s Opinion: Sometimes in his letters Paul gives his personal advice. The command that women not speak in church was Paul’s personal advice, but it was not a command from God. Since it was only Paul’s personal opinion, it does not have to be strictly obeyed.

Answer: Paul says that the instruction that women remain silent in church is a “commandment of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37).

8. NT Women Prophesied: In the New Testament women prophesied (1 Corinthians 11:5; Acts 21:9). If women are allowed to prophesy in the church, then that means they can speak in the church. Therefore Paul’s prohibition against women speaking in church must mean something else.

Answer: Women who have the gift of prophecy should prophesy, but they don’t need to do so in church. They can prophesy at home, with their friends and family, and in other group settings. Christian women have the gift of prophecy should operate in this gift. However, they should not prophesy in the church.

9. Women Have Spiritual Gifts: Women have important spiritual gifts, and God has given them these gifts to edify the church. God speaks to women and give them words that others need to hear. Since God has given women spiritual gifts, and everyone is supposed to operate their spiritual gifts in the church, then women need to be able to speak and operate their spiritual gifts within the church meeting.

Answer: All spiritual gifts must operate within the confines of the word of God. Not all spiritual gifts are to operate within the church at all times. For example, a person with the gift of tongues must remain silent in church if there is no interpreter. In addition, many spiritual gifts do not involve speaking. If a woman has a spiritual gift that involves speaking, she does not need to speak in the church.  She can operate this spiritual gift outside the church meeting – within her family, to other women, among other gatherings of Christians, to children, or among unbelievers. 

10. Women Only Prohibited From Preaching: This command only prohibits women from giving an extended teaching or a sermon in church. As long as a woman is not giving a sermon, she is permitted to speak in church.

Answer: The Bible does not say that the prohibition against women speaking in church is only to prevent them from giving an extended teaching or sermon. Rather, this command prohibits them from even asking a question in the church. If asking a question is forbidden, then we can see that command prohibits more than giving a sermon.

11. Women Can’t Be Quiet All the Time: If women can’t speak in the church, then they would have to be silent all the time, for the church of God is people, and Christian women are always part of the church. Since women are always part of the church, they must never speak at any time, for there is never a time that they are not part of the church. This would be unreasonable and unbiblical. Therefore Paul must have meant something else with this instruction.

Answer: In the NT the word church refers to either a body of Christians or to a meeting of God’s people. Throughout 1 Corinthians 14, the word church refers to a church meeting. When Paul says women must be silent in church, he means that they must be silent specifically in the church meeting, not all the time.

12. Silence Devalues Women: If women are not allowed to speak in the church, then they are being devalued. Since the New Testament is clear that men and women are equally valuable before God, God would not devalue women by forbidding them from speaking in church. Therefore this verse must mean something else.

Answer: Spiritual worth is not determined by speaking in church. For example, someone may have a gift of teaching, and another person may have a gift of helps. Both spiritual gifts are essential for the building of the church, but one speaks in church more than the other. Just because a person may speak more in church does not mean that he is more valuable. The command that women remain silent in church does not mean that women lack spiritual gifts, lack spiritual value, or are unimportant. On the other hand, vitally important church functions can be fulfilled when a person is silent in the church meeting.

13. Inspired Women: Sometimes the Holy Spirit inspires women to speak in church. If a woman is inspired to speak in the church, then she should. For her to remain silent when the Holy Spirit wants her to speak would be to disobey God.

Answer: God will not call a person to do something he has forbidden them to do in his word. Since God has told women to not speak in the church, he will not lead them to do so. The Holy Spirit will not lead people to disobey God. If a person feels led to do something that contradicts the Bible, then he or she can be sure that such leading is not from the Holy Spirit.

14. Women Can Speak When Men Aren’t: If men don’t speak in the church, then women should speak in the church. A woman sharing God’s word is preferable to everyone sitting quietly in church, saying nothing, and no one being edified.

Answer: The NT says that men must lead the church (1 Timothy 3:5), and that they must share the word of God. Men should obey God and fulfill their spiritual responsibilities. When women are silent in church, men will be encouraged to to rise up and become the leaders that God has called them to be. When the void of healthy male leadership is filled by women, then the church is hindered. Our own ideas cannot substitute for obedience to God.

15. This Passage of Scripture is Not Authentic: This passage was not in the earliest manuscripts. Since it was added later, it should be deleted now to get the Bible back to its original text.

Answer: The Bible is inerrant, nothing should be added or taken away. There is no historical evidence that this passage was a later addition, for it this passage is in all ancient manuscripts. To try to delete a part of the word of God because we don’t like it is wrong.

16. This Passage is a Quotation that Paul is Mocking: This passage quotes a letter that the Corinthians wrote to Paul. Paul mocks this statement and says it obviously does not apply to NT churches. Of course women can speak in the church.

Answer: Paul never said nor implied that this statement is a quotation of such a letter. If he had been quoting such a letter he would have made that plain, rather than leave his readers to guess. Furthermore, the language of this passage is not the language of a quotation. The Corinthians would not have referred to women in their own church as “your women,” but they would have said “our women.” In addition, if this was a quotation, it would not have begun with the words, “as in all churches of the saints” (the ending clause of verse 33 properly belongs to verse 34, and starts a new section). To claim that this passage is a quotation from another letter, without any evidence for such a claim, is groundless.

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George Whitefield: “Various are the pleas and arguments which men of corrupt minds frequently urge against yielding obedience to the just and holy commands of God.”

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FAQ

What should women do in church if they are not to speak?

When someone is not speaking the word of God in the church, she should be discerning and eagerly receiving the word of God. Women can quietly pray for the word of God to be ministered effectively and receive God’s word and Spirit eagerly along with everyone else. As people long for the Holy Spirit to fill the church meeting, God will respond to this hunger of his people and pour out his Holy Spirit. Spiritual longing pulls God’s presence into a gathering, and this will ultimately draw transformative spiritual power into the church that will impact the world. The ability to participate with God in this divine flow of spiritual life is an awesome privilege, and it is one key to the glory of the bride of Christ. Women are particularly called to fulfill this important role.

Can women pray, sing, share a testimony, request prayer, or request help in the church meeting?

On the surface, 1 Corinthians 14:34 appears to prohibit women from saying anything at all in the church meeting. However, there is more to it than that.

The following verse helps us understand this: “If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). On the surface, this verse might appear to mean that whenever a person says anything at all he must speak as the oracles of God – even if he’s saying “hello” to someone or talking about the weather. However, the context of this verse reveals that it means something more specific – “as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). This verse means that whenever a person operates a spiritual gift and ministers the word of God to another person, he should speak as the oracles of God.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 should probably be understood in a similar way. It means that women should not share the word of God in church or take a position of authority in church. This verse doesn’t mean women can’t speak at all in church. For example, in the church meeting women might request help or prayer, read Scripture when asked, share testimonies, pray, greet people, or share social pleasantries.

The word silent in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is the Greek word sigao. This word does not necessarily mean strict silence at all times. This word is also used of those with the gift of tongues or the gift of prophecy who had to remain silent in church within certain contexts, but not all the time (1 Corinthians 14:28-30). This word is also used of the disciples after the transfiguration (Luke 9:36), when they kept silent about the transfiguration but not about everything.

Women are prohibited from ministering the word of God in church, from speaking by way of spiritual gift in church, or from speaking in an authoritative way in church (1 Timothy 2:12). They are not commanded to never say anything.

What if women had to be completely silent in church?

If women had to be completely silent in church, they would be unable to greet anyone, ask how others are doing, request prayer, discipline their children, discuss preparations for the meal which was an integral part of the church meeting, or pray in church. Strict silence does not appear to be God’s intention.

If a woman can speak in the church as long as she is not ministering God’s word, why can’t she ask a question in church?

The prohibition against women asking questions in church refers to asking about doctrinal issues (“if they will learn something”). Asking a question about a doctrinal issue in church may lead to an extended conversation about that issue, introduce unnecessary confusion, or alter the direction of the meeting. If a woman asks a doctrinal question in church, it might put her in a position of authority that is unwarranted (1 Timothy 2:12), for it may redirect the church meeting.

Why do women have to ask their husbands doctrinal questions at home?

First, women should ask doctrinal questions at home because asking such questions can redirect the church meeting into side conversations or secondary discussions which can cause doubts or distractions. Women should not guide or direct the meeting in this way by asking doctrinal questions because in that case they would be taking an unauthorized place of authority in the church (1 Timothy 2:12).

Second, when women ask their husbands doctrinal questions at home, they acknowledge that they are under the spiritual authority of their husbands. They allow their husbands to minister God’s word to them. This protects the marriage and strengthens the bond between husband and wife, for it helps them have spiritual fellowship together.

Third, when wives ask their husbands spiritual questions, it encourages their husbands to grow spiritually. Husbands may need to pray and study the word of God to find answers. They must learn how to communicate spiritual things effectively to their wives. Developing these skills within the marriage will help husbands to become spiritual leaders both inside the home and inside the church.

When a woman asks her husband a question, she must should “learn in quietness with all submission” (1 Timothy 2:11). She should not try to teach her husband during their discussion, and she must not try to take authority over him (1 Timothy 2:12).

If her husband does not know the answer, a woman is free to ask her questions elsewhere.

What if a woman is unmarried or married to an unbeliever? To whom should she ask her spiritual questions?

Unmarried women or women married to unbelievers can ask their questions outside the church meeting to other spiritual leaders, whether men or women.

What should a woman do if she feels she has an insight from God, a thought to share about the Scriptures, or a question to ask during the church meeting?

These insights and questions may be valuable for the body of Christ and should be shared within an appropriate context. She should try to remember these questions and insights and share them with others when the church meeting is over.

Is every gathering of Christians automatically a church meeting?

No. Christians may meet for a variety of reasons other than having a church meeting. They might meet for prayer (Acts 12:12) or Bible study (Acts 19:9). They may meet to evangelize others (Acts 5:42). They may work together (Acts 18:3) or live together (Romans 16:14-15). They may come together for discussion and planning (Acts 20:17-35). These types of meetings are not church meetings.

Biblical church meetings happen when the body of Christ meets together according to apostolic instructions to share the word of God and to break bread (sharing a meal and having communion). NT church meetings happened on Sundays (Acts 20:7). Sometimes they happened every day (Acts 2:46). NT church meetings invariably happened in homes.

Women are allowed to share the word of God and operate in their spiritual gifts in other gatherings of Christians outside the church meeting, as long as they remain under the leadership of their husbands. Women may minister as long as they follow other NT instructions for women, like not teaching men or taking authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12). Women must learn quietly (1 Timothy 2:11) and cover their heads when praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5).

What is the distinction between being “at home” or being “in church” in the context of a house church?

In a house church, the church meets inside a house. The house is both a place for a church meeting as well as a place for a family to live. The house church is the Biblical pattern for church throughout the New Testament, and this is normal church.

The phrase “in the church” refers to the church meeting, when the saints of God come together to break bread and share the word of God. The phrase “in the home” means apart from a church meeting. In the context of a house church, a person will be “at home” or “in the church” in the same house at different times. 

A woman can speak the word of God inside a house and operate her spiritual gifts inside a house when she is not participating in a church meeting in that house. 

What is the reason that women are not allowed to speak God’s word in church?

Paul gives two reasons for why women should be silent in the church. First, he says this is a command of God (1 Corinthians 14:37). Second, he says it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church (1 Corinthians 14:35). 

There are several other reasons for the command that women remain silent in church. The man was created first and is the head of the woman (1 Corinthians 11:3). The woman is created for the man (1 Corinthians 11:9) to be his helper (Genesis 2:18). A woman should not teach a man or take authority over him (1 Timothy 2:12) but should learn quietly. Eve was deceived, but Adam was not deceived. Speaking the word of God in church is authoritative, and women should not function in an authoritative way in the church meeting. In addition, women are called to pray quietly for the Holy Spirit to be poured out and for God’s word to be revealed in power, and if they speak in church they might be hindered from fulfilling this vital ministry.

Why is it a shame for a woman to speak God’s word in the church?

On a basic level, disobedience causes shame. If a woman speaks God’s word in church she disobeys God.

If a woman speaks God’s word in the church, she is not speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit will not lead someone to disobey God. A woman who speaks God’s word in the church does so by the power of her flesh, and speaking fleshly words in church is shameful.

Where in the law does it say a woman must be submissive?

The first 5 books of the Bible are called the Law. In Genesis it says that God first created the man, and then he created the woman. The NT says that this order of creation is the reason why the man is head of the woman (1 Timothy 2:11-13). The woman was created to be the man’s helper (Genesis 2:18). The headship of the man over the wife is reiterated after the Fall (Genesis 3:16).

Why does Paul say those who reject the instruction that women be silent in the church are ignorant?

Paul says that this instruction is a commandment from God (verse 37). Like all of God’s commands it is to be followed. Prophetic and spiritual people will acknowledge that this is a commandment from God (verse 37), and they will embrace it and recognize its value. Spiritually ignorant people will reject this command (verse 38), cutting themselves off from its blessing.

What should a church do if a woman speaks God’s word in the church meeting?

As a general rule, mercy and grace should be shown to everyone in the church. Some people are not aware of the fact that women are to be silent in church. In a participative house church, there may be times when people speak in a way that is contrary to the word of God. These mistakes are part of the growing process. Generally, it is appropriate for church leaders to speak gently after the meeting to such people about when to speak or when not to speak in church. If a person becomes disruptive in the meeting, then they may need to be corrected within the meeting by church leaders.

Conclusion

God is building his church, and he is doing so according to his word. The only perfect place to learn about church form and function is in the Bible. When we follow God’s instructions we will be blessed, but when we don’t follow his instructions we will have problems. Although God’s word sometimes appears difficult to understand or follow, we obey God in faith. As we obey God’s word, our lives will reflect his blessings.