1 Corinthians 14:34-35
What is written? (ESV)
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. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
What does it say?
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak but should remain in submission, as the Law also says. If they desire to learn something, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about orderly worship. In this immediate context, he’s applying this truth to discourage everyone from speaking at once in worship. In particular, they were using miraculous gifts of tongues improperly (with no interpreter – vs 27). The second part of verse 33 is included here in parentheses. While part of verse 33, the punctuation is such that a new paragraph begins. Other translations such as the KJV and NASB punctuate and include it with verse 33 to read, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
How 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is applied across Bible answers
Did Priscilla teach Apollos?
Women were instructed not to speak in the assembly (local church). If they had a question, they were to reserve it for their husband at home.
What does saved through childbearing mean (1 Timothy 2:15)?
Within the local assembly, women to remain silent, which is the very manifestation of submissiveness.
In the broader context here, Paul is giving instruction on orderly worship.
What does worship to God look like?
Women should remain silent in church in order to not subvert the authority of the men and create disorder.


