Role of Women in the Church

Despite protests to the contrary, the ‘rule’ itself is expressed absolutely. That is, it is given without any form of qualification . . . women are not permitted to speak . . . (Fee, Gordon D. The Epistle to the Corinthians, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI., 1987, p. 706).

We should note the Greek word for “silent” in verse 35 is SIGAW which literally means “keep still, say nothing, keep secret, conceal.” The idea is to be so silent as to be hidden. This word is used in verses 28, 30 and here in v. 34. It is used 1) to tell those speaking in tongues to be still if no interpreter is present, 2) to tell one of the prophets to say nothing while another speaks and then in verse 34 for women to be quiet. The meaning is clear. Women are to be quiet. Each of us must then decide when. The conclusion appears to be during the teaching of God’s Word.

The question that remains is “Can women ask questions of a teacher in church?” If Fee is correct, the answer is no. This implies that the injunction against women teaching is even stronger. Clearly, verse 35 makes it impossible to conclude that a woman can teach in the church.

Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, {and} then Eve. And {it was} not Adam {who} was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. (NASB)

The purpose of 1 Timothy is stated in 1 Tim. 3:15 with “ . . . I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God . . . “ That is, 1 Timothy was written to teach us how to conduct ourselves in the church. This passage along with 1 Cor. 11:2-16 and 1 Cor. 14:33-35 will provide a complete understanding of the role of women in the church. So we must understand this passage and then see if our interpretation is consistent with the other passages.

This passage of scripture has been interpreted many ways. One of the more popular interpretations is summarized by Keener,