1 Corinthians 14:33-40 As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
In chapter 14 we have been exploring behavior in the church. Paul primarily talks about the usage of spiritual gifts: tongues and prophecy. In the above focus, he places within this theme of appropriate behavior in the church the issue of women speaking in the congregation. As in all churches at that time, women were to remain silent; they are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission as the Law says. This was traditional decorum in the synagogues. Women and men were separated within their congregations with the stipulation that women should not be participants in the service. They should remain silent, and if they had questions about the service or what was said, they should hold their questions or observations until they got home. There, in their homes, they could seek answers and engage in discussions about the meetings. As with the usage of the gifts of the Spirit, the behavior of the congregation was important to Paul, for God is not the author of discord or confusion. Some commentaries suggest that women were speaking loudly to each other or even shouting out across the way to their husbands with a question and disturbing the services. Therefore, following the customs and traditions of the Pharisees was a good way to bring order back into the Corinthian church. As noted, Paul says, As in ALL the congregations of the saints: this decorum, this way of worship with the women holding their peace, was well-established in the nascent churches. Paul's reference to the Law probably refers to the oral Law or traditional law, passed down from generation to generation. This law often superseded or took precedence over scriptural law; such as, honoring your father and mother. The Pharisees allowed the gifts given to them to supersede the necessity of taking care of parents, thereby violating scripture. Jesus oftentimes questioned the validity of the oral traditions and the oral laws.
Paul wanted everything done in orderliness, for the Spirit does not promote disorderliness. However, in discussing the spirituality of women or their right to exercise spiritual gifts, we must accept the Spirit's authority in our lives. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28) We see that IN CHRIST, filled with his Spirit, there is neither male nor female. The Spirit of God is the driving force in every believer. He alone propels the spiritual man or woman to fulfill his or her purpose on Earth. There are no second-class citizens in God's family: all are necessary; all should fulfill their roles in the body of Christ. In the New Testament we see women honored in every book. We see women supporting the disciples in their ministries. Paul asks for help for women who worked with him: Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3) We find women, even at the cross and later at the tomb, still supporting Jesus, not running away, but waiting to see what will happen with Jesus. Jesus often praised women. In one situation when a woman enters the house of Simon the Pharisee to minister to Jesus, Jesus reveals to Simon how special she is to him and to God. She showers Jesus with her love, her devotion to him. Because of her humbleness and repentance, Jesus implies that this woman of ill repute has gained more favor with God than the righteous Simon. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little. (Luke 7:47) In another situation, Jesus praises a woman who gives two coins, her everything, to the temple's coffer, placing her above all the others who gave money to the temple. Blessed above all women by God, Mary gave birth to Jesus and cared for him. As Jesus' mother, God trusted her with the closest relationship with Jesus the man. These women and others throughout the Bible were important to God and vitally used by the Holy Spirit. God is no respecter of persons. He uses all who are open to his Spirit, both men and women who follow him with loving hearts.
God is no respecter of persons, for we know He promised to pour out his Spirit upon all people, men and women alike: And afterward I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. Even upon the menservants and upon the maidservants in those days will I pour out My Spirit. (Joel 2:28-29) If he uses all of us, then how should we act in our homes, our communities, and our congregations? If we are ministers, we should minister. If we are prophets, we should prophesy. If we are teachers, we should teach. If we are helpers, we should help. If we are administrators, we should administrate. We should be and do what God desires for us. Our homes should reflect God in every way. We should all be manifesting the Spirit's purpose and fruit in our lives. Wherever we are, we should reveal that God is alive in us. How should we function and live our lives? For sure, we should dwell in orderliness rather than chaos or disruption. Paul instructs the church on how to behave within a community of believers. In reality, we are never absent from living in community. We are in community in our homes, at our jobs, in our neighborhoods, and wherever we are. Consequently, doing everything in a fitting and orderly way is important to us in our lives. How we treat others and how we express ourselves is important. We might not be speaking in tongues or prophesying in our daily lives, but if we claim to be Christians, we are ALWAYS REFLECTING GOD to the world. Our lives must be in order so others will know and hear the voice of God through our actions and reactions. This process begins at home with those who know us best and it goes on into the workplace and everywhere we go. We do not simply attend church on Sunday, take part in a Bible study, or wear a WWJD bracelet and thus fulfill our part for God. We must show the love of Jesus in all of our ways. Whether you are a man or a woman, think on this today: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)
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