Revision #6311
1 Corinthians 14:34–35
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Context
- 1 Corinthians 14 addresses the orderly use of tongues and prophecy in public worship. Paul instructs that one who speaks in tongues should keep silent if there is no interpreter (v. 28), and that one who prophesies should likewise keep silent if a revelation comes to another (v. 30). Verses 34–35 fall within this line of thought. However, 1 Corinthians 11:5 presupposes that women pray and prophesy in public worship. This tension is the starting point for interpretation.
+ First Corinthians 14 addresses the orderly use of tongues and prophecy in public worship. Paul instructs that anyone who speaks in tongues should keep silent when no interpreter is present (v. 28). Likewise, a prophet should keep silent if a revelation comes to another person (v. 30). Verses 34–35 belong to this line of thought. Earlier in the same letter, however, 1 Corinthians 11:5 presupposes that women pray and prophesy in public worship. This tension is the starting point for interpretation.
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= ## Interpretations
- - **As a universal norm**: Denominations that do not ordain women, such as the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin), along with a number of conservative scholars, cite this passage together with 1 Timothy 2:12 and hold that offices involving authoritative teaching and governance in the church have been entrusted to men. Many who hold this view, however, maintain that the passage does not forbid all speech but is limited to the evaluation of prophecy or to public teaching.
- - **As an instruction for a local problem**: Denominations and scholars that ordain women regard the passage as an instruction addressing a specific situation in the Corinthian church, in which women were disrupting order by asking questions during worship. The words of verse 35, "if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home," are offered in support.
- - **As a quotation of the Corinthians' own words**: Some hold that verses 34–35 are not Paul's own words but a quotation of a claim made by some in the Corinthian church, which Paul then refutes in verse 36; this is a minority view.
+ - **As a universal norm**: Denominations that do not ordain women and a number of conservative scholars read this passage together with 1 Timothy 2:12. In Korea, these denominations include the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin). In this view, the church offices of authoritative teaching and governance have been entrusted to men. Many who hold this position maintain, however, that the passage does not forbid all speech by women. They limit it to the evaluation of prophecy or to public teaching.
+ - **As an instruction for a local problem**: Denominations that ordain women and scholars who support the practice regard the passage as addressing a specific situation in the Corinthian church. In their reading, women there were disrupting order by asking questions during worship. They cite verse 35 in support: "if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home."
+ - **As a quotation of the Corinthians' own words**: A minority of interpreters hold that verses 34–35 do not express Paul's own view. In this reading, Paul quotes a claim made by some members of the Corinthian church and then refutes it in verse 36.
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= ## Debates and Issues
- In some Western manuscripts, verses 34–35 are placed after verse 40. For this reason, some scholars hold that the passage was originally a marginal gloss that later entered the text, while others regard it as Paul's writing, noting that the passage is present in all manuscripts. This debate is treated in greater detail in the article Ordination of women.
+ In some Western manuscripts, verses 34–35 appear after verse 40. For this reason, some scholars hold that the passage began as a marginal gloss and later entered the text. Others note that the passage is present in all manuscripts and regard it as Paul's own writing. This debate is treated in greater detail in the article Ordination of women.
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= ## In the Korean Church
- Korean Presbyterian denominations take differing positions on the ordination of women, and denominations such as the Korean Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap), and the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church ordain women as pastors. This passage has been invoked anew whenever the ordination of women has been debated at denominational general assemblies.
+ Korean Presbyterian denominations differ in their positions on the ordination of women. The Korean Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap), and the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church are among the Korean denominations that ordain women as pastors. This passage has been cited again each time the ordination of women has been debated at Korean denominational general assemblies.
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= ## Related Passages
…
A passage instructing that women "keep silence in the churches" and that, if they wish to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. It is a central text in debates over the ordination of women and the role of women in the church, and its position in the manuscripts is also debated.
A Pauline passage instructing, "Let your women keep silence in the churches," and directing that if they wish to learn anything, they should "ask their husbands at home." It is a central text in debates over the ordination of women and the role of women in the church. Its position in the manuscript tradition is also debated.
Full revision
A Pauline passage instructing, "Let your women keep silence in the churches," and directing that if they wish to learn anything, they should "ask their husbands at home." It is a central text in debates over the ordination of women and the role of women in the church. Its position in the manuscript tradition is also debated.
Context
First Corinthians 14 addresses the orderly use of tongues and prophecy in public worship. Paul instructs that anyone who speaks in tongues should keep silent when no interpreter is present (v. 28). Likewise, a prophet should keep silent if a revelation comes to another person (v. 30). Verses 34–35 belong to this line of thought. Earlier in the same letter, however, 1 Corinthians 11:5 presupposes that women pray and prophesy in public worship. This tension is the starting point for interpretation.
Interpretations
- As a universal norm: Denominations that do not ordain women and a number of conservative scholars read this passage together with 1 Timothy 2:12. In Korea, these denominations include the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong) and the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin). In this view, the church offices of authoritative teaching and governance have been entrusted to men. Many who hold this position maintain, however, that the passage does not forbid all speech by women. They limit it to the evaluation of prophecy or to public teaching.
- As an instruction for a local problem: Denominations that ordain women and scholars who support the practice regard the passage as addressing a specific situation in the Corinthian church. In their reading, women there were disrupting order by asking questions during worship. They cite verse 35 in support: "if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home."
- As a quotation of the Corinthians' own words: A minority of interpreters hold that verses 34–35 do not express Paul's own view. In this reading, Paul quotes a claim made by some members of the Corinthian church and then refutes it in verse 36.
Debates and Issues
In some Western manuscripts, verses 34–35 appear after verse 40. For this reason, some scholars hold that the passage began as a marginal gloss and later entered the text. Others note that the passage is present in all manuscripts and regard it as Paul's own writing. This debate is treated in greater detail in the article Ordination of women.
In the Korean Church
Korean Presbyterian denominations differ in their positions on the ordination of women. The Korean Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap), and the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church are among the Korean denominations that ordain women as pastors. This passage has been cited again each time the ordination of women has been debated at Korean denominational general assemblies.
Related Passages
- 1 Corinthians 11:5
- 1 Timothy 2:11–12
- Acts 2:17–18
- Acts 21:9