1 Corinthians 14 35

1 Corinthians 14:35 kjv

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Corinthians 14:35 nkjv

And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

1 Corinthians 14:35 niv

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.

1 Corinthians 14:35 esv

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.

1 Corinthians 14:35 nlt

If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.

1 Corinthians 14 verses

1 Corinthians 14 35 Meaning

1 Corinthians 14:35 instructs that if women in the assembly desire to learn something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is considered disgraceful or improper for women to speak in such a public worship context. This command addresses order and decorum during Christian gatherings, specifically concerning the asking of questions that could disrupt the service.

1 Corinthians 14 35 Context

The context of 1 Corinthians chapter 14 centers on the proper conduct of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church. Paul addresses issues of tongues and prophecy, emphasizing that gifts should build up the church and be exercised in an orderly manner. He aims to bring structure and decorum to what appears to have been a chaotic assembly. Verses 34-35 specifically concern women's speech during these public gatherings, immediately following instructions for prophets to speak one at a time and for others to weigh what is said. This verse is best understood in light of the immediate verses (33-34) where Paul states "God is not the author of confusion but of peace" and directly commands women to be silent in the churches. The prohibition in verse 35 likely pertains to disruptive questioning or speaking out of turn that violated the principles of order Paul was seeking to establish in worship, rather than an absolute prohibition on all vocal participation such as prophesying mentioned earlier (1 Cor 11:5). Culturally, public formal discourse by women in Greco-Roman and Jewish societies was often seen as improper or unseemly, aligning with Paul's use of "shame."

1 Corinthians 14 35 Word analysis

• And if they will learn any thing: Implies a desire or need for instruction or clarification from the women. It sets the condition under which the subsequent instruction applies. This suggests the speaking being forbidden is likely of a questioning or interrogative nature.

• let them ask: Indicates a prescribed method for obtaining the desired knowledge. It's an active directive.

• their husbands: andrôn (ἀνδρῶν), the genitive plural of anēr (ἀνήρ), meaning "man" or "husband." In this marital context, it refers to their own spouses. This directs the learning within the established marital structure.

• at home: oikoi (οἴκοι), the dative singular of oikos (οἶκος), meaning "house" or "home." This specifies the private sphere of the household, contrasting it with the public assembly. Learning within the domestic setting preserved public order.

• for it is a shame: aischron (αἰσχρόν), from aischros (αἰσχρός), meaning "disgraceful," "shameful," "repulsive," or "improper." This word carries a strong negative moral or social judgment. Paul uses this term to express something utterly inappropriate or indecent in the church setting. It might refer to what is shameful in God's eyes, or what is perceived as shameful in that cultural context.

• for women: gynaikin (γυναιξὶν), dative plural of gunē (γυνή), "woman" or "wife." This specifies the group to whom the command applies.

• to speak: lalein (λαλεῖν), the present active infinitive of laleō (λαλέω), "to speak" or "to talk." This word can have a broad meaning, from general conversation to formal speech or prophecy. In this immediate context, linked with "asking to learn," it most likely refers to disruptive or questioning speech.

• in the church: en ekklēsia (ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ), the dative singular of ekklēsia (ἐκκλησία), meaning "assembly" or "gathering" of believers for worship. This defines the public location where such speaking is forbidden, distinct from the private setting of the home.

• if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: This phrase emphasizes that the instruction is for women who desire to gain knowledge. The home is designated as the appropriate environment for this type of questioning and learning, leveraging the husband's role as head of the household for domestic instruction, aligning with general principles of household order.

• for it is a shame for women to speak in the church: This clause provides the rationale for the command. The act of speaking (specifically disruptive questioning for learning) by women in the public church assembly is deemed shameful. This could relate to established social norms regarding public discourse for women or the need to maintain order and dignity within worship gatherings, avoiding anything that brought dishonor.

1 Corinthians 14 35 Bonus section

The debate around 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 often considers two main interpretations for the term "speak" (laleō):

1. General speaking/chattering: This view suggests that women were perhaps engaging in idle talk or conversations, creating disruption in the assembly. This is less likely given the explicit mention of "learning any thing" in verse 35, implying intellectual inquiry.
2. Challenging or disruptive questioning: This is the most prevalent interpretation. Given the immediate context of prophets being evaluated and learning happening, women's "speaking" is understood as raising questions or objections to what was being taught publicly, which in the chaotic Corinthian context, may have caused significant disorder or appeared disrespectful.

It's crucial to understand these verses in harmony with other Pauline passages. If read as a total prohibition of any sound from women, it contradicts 1 Corinthians 11:5, where women pray and prophesy (which is speaking). Thus, the more nuanced interpretation recognizes that Paul addresses a specific form of disruptive behavior related to learning or challenging teaching within a highly unstructured worship setting, rather than a universal ban on all vocal expression or ministry for women. The cultural expectations concerning women's public conduct, alongside the church's nascent order, deeply inform this instruction.

1 Corinthians 14 35 Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:35, often viewed alongside 14:34, is a direct instruction from Paul concerning women's conduct in the Corinthian Christian assembly. The primary thrust of these verses is the establishment of order in public worship, a theme prevalent throughout the entire chapter. The command for women to be "silent" and to "ask their husbands at home" when they want to learn is best understood not as an absolute prohibition on all verbal participation by women in church (e.g., in light of 1 Cor 11:5 allowing women to pray or prophesy), but rather specifically on disruptive questioning or challenging of the teaching that could lead to disorder.

In a culture where formal theological education was largely for men, and women might not have had the opportunity to learn or understand doctrine deeply, impulsive public questions could have led to disarray. By instructing women to ask their husbands at home, Paul provides an orderly channel for their learning, emphasizing the husband's responsibility in the private sphere for instruction and guidance within the household. The term "shame" (aischron) highlights the cultural impropriety or potential dishonor associated with such public behavior, aligning with both the cultural values of that time and Paul's overarching concern for maintaining the dignity and structured peace of the worship gathering as a reflection of God's character (1 Cor 14:33, 40). This directive fosters domestic learning and prevents chaos in public, maintaining the unique decorum of God's assembly.