01.15.09
1 Corinthians 14
Let’s continue looking at what Paul has to say concerning the use of spiritual gifts and the issue of gender.
We saw in our discussion of 1 Cor. 12 that Paul spoke of both genders – male and female – receive spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit. We saw that these spiritual gifts included gifts of utterance – the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and prophesy.
We concluded the act of silencing of women in the church is in direct conflict with the intended purposes of the Holy Spirit who gifts women to prophesy and to speak.
Paul also instructed ALL to earnestly desire the greater spiritual gifts. These greater gifts listed in 1 Cor. 12:28-31 include apostles, prophets, and teachers.
We found no gender limitations given by Paul as he instructed ALL to earnestly seek the greater spiritual gifts.
Paul then turns his discourse to show a still more excellent way, which is found in 1 Cor. 13. Paul instructs the church in the excellent way of love. The point of his instruction is that the use of spiritual gifts is to be filled with love – with out love they are empty.
Paul turns the discourse once again as he instructs the church to “pursue love, yet, desire earnestly spiritual gifts” in 1 Cor. 14:1.
Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 14 to use gender neutral words as he instructs the church to “earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
The KJV erroneously adds the gender specific word “he” where it does not exist in the original text. Paul uses gender neutral words as he continues his discourse on spiritual gifts.
1Cor 14:2-5 (NASB) For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender word of “one” in verse 2. The Greek word translated as “men” in verse 2 is a gender neutral word meaning “human kind”. The gender specific word of “his” and “he” in verse 2 are added words, they do not exist in the original text.
Paul says in verse 2 that anyone (man or woman) who speaks in a tongue does not speak to human kind, but to God; for no one understands, but in spirit speak mysteries.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender word of “one” in verse 3. Again the Greek word translated as “men” in verse 3 is a gender neutral word meaning “human kind”.
Paul says in verse 3 that anyone (man or women) who prophesies speaks to human kind for edification and exhortation and consolation.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender word of “one” in verse 4. The Greek word translated as “himself” is a gender neutral word meaning “himself or herself”.
Paul says in verse 4 that anyone (man of women) who speaks in a tongue edifies “himself or herself”: but anyone who prophesies edifies the church.
Paul is clearly says in verse 4 women prophesy – SPEAK – in the church. Verse 4 nullifies all doctrines of men which state that “women do prophesy, they just do so outside the church.” Paul says in verse 4 anyone (male or female) who prophesies edifies the church. To edify the church you certainly must be in the midst of the church.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender word of “one” in verse 5. The gender specific “he” has erroneously been added and does not exist in the original text.
Paul says in verse 5 that he wishes that ALL spoke in tongues, but more that you (gender neutral) would prophesy; and greater is anyone who prophesies than anyone who speaks in tongues, unless interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
Again we see clearly in verse 5 women prophesying – speaking – in the church. Verse 4 and verse 5 nullify all doctrines of men which state that “women do prophesy, they just do so outside the church.” To edify the church you certainly must be in the midst of the church.
1Cor 14:9-11 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender words of “one” and “you” in verses 9-11.
1Cor 14:12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender word “you” in verse 12.
Paul says since you (male or female) are zealous of spiritual, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
Women, as well as men, are instructed by Paul to seek to abound in the spiritual gift of prophesying because it brings edification to the church.
We again see Paul to instruct women to prophesy – speak- in the church.
1Cor 14:13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender word of “one” in verse 13. The gender specific “he” has erroneously been added and does not exist in the original text.
Paul says let one (man or woman) who speaks in a tongue pray may interpret.
1Cor 14:19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
This verse verifies the fact that Paul’s instruction on prophesying and speaking in tongues is for IN the church. Paul does not limit women to prophesying “outside” the church.
1Co 14:21 In the Law it is written, “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord.
The gender specific word of “men” has erroneously been added and does not exist in the original text. The original text says, “By strange tongues ….”
1Cor 14:23-24 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;
Verse 23 again verifies that Paul’s instruction on prophesying and speaking in tongues is for IN the church. Paul does not limit women to prophesying “outside” the church.
Paul gives instruction in verses 23-24 concerning the church being assembled together and ALL speaking in tongues or ALL speaking in prophesy.
1Co 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
Verse 26 again verifies that Paul’s instruction on prophesying and speaking in tongues is for IN the church. Paul does not limit women to prophesying “outside” the church.
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender words of “one” and “you” in verse 26.
Paul says in verse 26 that when you (men and women) assemble and each one (male or female) has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation, let all things be done for edification.
Paul says that women as well as men when the church is assembled may TEACH, may speak a revelation, may speak in a tongue, and may speak an interpretation of a tongue. Paul says women as well as men may speak in edification in the church.
In verses 27-31 Paul gives instructions for the men and women who speak in tongues or prophesy in the church.
1Co 14:27-31 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
The NASB correctly uses the neutral gender words of “anyone” and “one” in verse 26. The gender specific word of “he” has erroneously been added and does not exist in the original text. The Greek word translated as “himself” is a gender neutral word meaning “himself or herself”.
Paul in giving his instructions for tongues or prophesy in the church does not limit or exclude either gender. He gives instructions for both men and women who speak in tongue and prophesy in the church.
Paul concludes this discourse in verse 33 by saying “God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
This brings us to the problematic verse 34 which has often been used to silence the very women Paul had just given full liberty to prophesy and speak in tongues in the church. It is totally out of the stated context of 1 Cor. 14 to interpret verse 34 as silencing women.
1Co 14:34-35 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
One doctrinal interpretation is that Paul changed the discourse in verse 34 to give instruction to the church concerning confusion that was taking place. This interpretation keeps verse 34 in the context of the confusion Paul was addressing in verses 23-33.
Thus in verse 34 Paul now turns his attention to address another problem of confusion in the church, which was wives asking many questions during the assembly. Paul instructs the wives to keep quiet – or hold their questions – during the time of assembly and ask their husbands when they get home.
The above doctrinal interpretation is a valid understanding but not how I personally see the interpretation of verse 34.
I believe Paul in verse 34 turns from his discourse on spiritual gifts to address a statement made to him in a letter by the Corinthians. I believe in verses 34-35 Paul is a quote taken from the Corinthian letter.
In1Corinthians 7:1 we find the context of 1 Corinthians 7 – 1 Corinthians 15. Paul is answering question asked of him by the Corinthian church in a letter.
1Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote,
I have several reasons why I believe verses 34-35 are a quote.
1) Paul has just written much concerning women speaking in tongues and prophesying in the church. Why would he now silence the very ones he just gave instruction to? I do not believe Paul would speak a command to silence the women he just instructed in how to speak in the church.
2) In 1 Cor.15:12,35 we also find Paul quoting what “some say” and in verse 36 uses the same strong language of correction as used in 1 Corinthians 14: 36.
3) This statement taken from verse 35 “for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says” could not originate from Paul.
Paul as a Pharisee knew the law inside and out and absolutely knew that there was no law which silenced women. I believe this statement could not have or originated from Paul. I believe Paul was quoting a statement made to him by the Corinthian church.
In verse 36 Paul begins his answer to the Corinthian church.
1Co 14:36 (KJV) What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:36 (NASB) Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
Paul begins verse 36 with a word which has been defined by Greek scholars as an “emotional rebuttal and expletive of disassociation. This word’s closest English equivalent is “What?”, “Nonsense!” or “No Way!”
Paul used this small (and often not translated) emotional rebuttal and expletive of disassociation twice in verse 36 (the KJV correctly translates it use just one of these times). This Greek word is used 49 times by Paul in the book of 1 Corinthians. It is often not translated because it carries more of an emotional meaning than intellectual.
When verse 36 is translated with its two uses of this Greek word of emotional rebuttal and expletive of disassociation it reads as follows, “What”, “Nonsense”, “No way” “Was it from you that the Word of God went forth?” “Nonsense”, “No Way” “Has it come to you only?”
Paul’s reply to the statement quoted in verse 34-35 and the silencing of women was “What”, Nonsense”, “No way”.
He continues his correction by saying, “Was it from you that the Word of God went forth?” and replies again by saying “What”, Nonsense”, “No way”.
Paul continued his correction by saying, “Or has it come to you only?”
We find that Paul was NOT silencing women in the church – he instead spoke a strong rebuttal to those who would!!!
Paul continued his rebuttal of verse 34-35 in verse 37 -38 by saying, “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”
Paul had just written extensively on men and women operating in spiritual gifts in the church. In verse 37 Paul instructs the Corinthian church to recognize what he had written concerning women freely speaking in tongues and prophesying in the church as the Lord’s commandment. If anyone would not recognize this freedom of women to speak, they would not be recognized.
Paul in verse 38 – 39 summarizes and reiterates the points of his teaching – desire earnestly to prophesy, do not forbid to speak in tongues, and to let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.
If Paul was truly silencing women in verses 34-35 why would his summarization say “do not forbid to speak in tongues?” I hear Paul stating firmly reiterating in his summarization that all – men and women – were not to be forbidden to speak in tongues in the church.
Paul DID NOT silence women in the church – instead he strongly affirmed women role in the church.
