The topic of whether women should remain silent in church is one that has been debated for centuries. There are several passages in the Bible that address this issue, and interpreting them correctly is key to understanding what God’s word says about it.
The most well-known verse on this topic is found in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (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.”
At first glance, this verse seems quite clear – women are to remain silent in church and not speak. However, the context is important. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is addressing orderliness in worship. He instructs people to take turns speaking and interpreting tongues (v. 27), and not speak over one another. Verses 34-35 should be understood in this context of maintaining order, rather than as an absolute prohibition against women speaking.
Another relevant passage is 1 Corinthians 11:5, where Paul acknowledges women praying and prophesying in church: “but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head.” This indicates that earlier in the same letter, Paul permitted women to speak in church under certain conditions.
1 Timothy 2:11-12 is also frequently cited: “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” Again, the surrounding context provides helpful clues. In chapter 2, Paul urges prayer for all people and the importance of modesty and submission. His instruction for women to learn quietly likely aims to promote learning rather than domineering over men.
While these passages urge women’s submission and quietness, one must be careful not to over-apply them. Scripture affirms the equal value and dignity of men and women (Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28). Though they have different roles in marriage and the church, neither is superior.
Furthermore, the Bible contains numerous examples of godly women speaking and exercising leadership:
- Deborah was a judge and prophetess over Israel (Judges 4:4)
- Esther spoke boldly before the king on behalf of her people (Esther 7:3-6)
- Priscilla together with Aquila explained the way of God more accurately to Apollos (Acts 18:26)
- Philip’s four daughters prophesied (Acts 21:9)
- Phoebe is called a servant (or deacon) and patron of many in the church at Cenchreae (Romans 16:1-2)
In Acts 2, Peter declares that God’s Spirit is poured out on men and women alike, who will prophesy together. And in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul provides instructions for how both men and women are to pray and prophesy in church.
Taking into account the full breadth of scriptural evidence, it seems women can speak, pray, and prophesy in church within appropriate parameters. Outbursts that cause disorder or work against the unity of the body should be avoided. And when the church gathers, men should not domineer over women but treat them as fellow heirs of Christ (1 Peter 3:7).
The passages that instruct women to be silent are likely meant to promote humble and orderly learning, rather than an absolute ban on women speaking in church settings. As with many issues, wisdom and sensitivity to cultural context are necessary in applying biblical teaching faithfully in each generation and situation.
In conclusion, though women and men have different roles in marriage and church leadership, women should not be entirely silent in churches. With humility and respect for God’s design, women can speak, pray, prophesy, teach, serve, and exercise gifts for building up the body of Christ. But they should do so without domineering over or usurping the authority of men in the body. As in all things, the ultimate goals are unity in Christ and the glory of God.
The Bible promotes orderliness, submission, and humility for all in the church – not the absolute silence of women. With wisdom and sensitivity to context, Christians can apply these biblical principles in their churches today, allowing men and women to work together using their unique gifts for God’s kingdom.
There are about 29 verses in the New Testament that specifically mention women remaining silent or not permitted to teach in the church. Here is a brief overview of some of the key passages:
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
“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.”
1 Timothy 2:11-12
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”
1 Corinthians 11:3
“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”
Titus 2:3-5
“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
1 Timothy 2:11-15
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”
1 Corinthians 14:33b-35
“As in all the churches of the saints, 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.”
While these verses can seem restrictive to women’s roles, some additional perspective is helpful:
- These verses were written in a specific historical-cultural context we must understand
- Other verses affirm women prophesying and praying in the church (1 Cor 11:5, Acts 2:17-18)
- Both men and women are gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry (1 Cor 12, Rom 12, Eph 4, 1 Pet 4)
- Women played important leadership roles in the early church (Rom 16, Acts 18:24-28, Phil 4:2-3)
So women speaking or teaching in church is not categorically prohibited in Scripture. These verses likely aim to maintain order, submission to authority, and proper roles – not silence women entirely. Careful study and wise application to each context are required.
Genesis 3:16
“To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”
This verse establishes male leadership in the home. It does not prohibit women from all speaking or leadership roles, but indicates a husband’s authority and a wife’s submission is God’s design in marriage.
1 Peter 3:1-2
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.”
This encourages wives to win their unbelieving husbands to Christ through godly, respectful behavior, which includes submitting to their husband’s authority.
Titus 2:3-5
“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
This affirms teaching roles for older women, while encouraging submission and family focus for younger women.
Ephesians 5:22-24
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.”
This emphasizes the authority structure in marriage – wives are called to submit to their husbands’ leadership, just as the church submits to Christ.
Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
Another verse underscoring the biblical model of male leadership and female submission in marriage roles.
1 Corinthians 11:7-9
“For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.”
These verses establish the order of creation – man first, then woman – to support male headship in the church context.
In summary, though the Bible limits women’s teaching and authoritative roles in the church, it does not completely prohibit women from speaking in church settings. Women clearly played important roles in the early church. The key is applying biblical principles about order, submission, and appropriate authority with wisdom, sensitivity, and care in each unique cultural situation.
Here are some additional perspectives on women remaining silent in church:
Views Supporting Women’s Silence
- Believe the Bible prohibits women from speaking or teaching in church services based on a plain reading of verses like 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:12.
- Argue these verses are universal rules that are not culturally bound.
- Cite doctrines of male headship and female submission in marriage and the church.
- Allow women some ability to speak in informal or small group settings but not authoritative teaching over men or during corporate worship.
Egalitarian Views
- Point to examples of godly women speaking, prophesying, and exercising leadership in the Bible.
- Believe passages on women’s silence were addressing specific cultural issues in Corinth and Ephesus, not making universal rules.
- Note Bible verses affirming equality of women and men, gifts of the Holy Spirit for all, and unity in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
- Argue giftedness, wisdom, and calling should determine who can teach or lead, not gender.
Complementarian Perspectives
- Affirm gender equality in essence but distinct biblical roles for men and women.
- Believe qualified women can teach or lead other women, children, and sometimes men in informal mixed settings.
- Argue Bible prohibits women from authoritative teaching or governing roles over men in the church.
- Encourage ministry models maximizing women’s contributions while adhering to scriptural authority structures.
Other Viewpoints
- Emphasize interpreting the silencing verses in light of the rest of scripture, including passages affirming women, exercising discernment in each cultural context.
- Distinguish between doctrinal authority reserved for qualified men versus general contributions welcome from women.
- Argue for respecting different opinions among Christians on this issue.
There are good-faith arguments on multiple sides of this issue. The key is seeking unity in Christ, approaching Scripture with humility, and applying biblical principles wisely rather than legalistically in each unique situation.
Here are four practical questions churches can consider regarding women and speaking roles:
- Are we interpreting the relevant Bible verses carefully in context, not overstating or understating their implications?
- Does our church culture value women’s voices, gifts, and insights?
- What speaking and teaching opportunities could be open to gifted women while still respecting biblical authority structures?
- Are both genders encouraged to learn humbly and work in unity for God’s kingdom?
Rather than seeing women’s roles in an either/or binary, churches can take a both/and approach – affirming women’s voices while also valuing God’s design for male spiritual authority in certain contexts. With prayer and discernment, churches can develop policies and practices that align with biblical principles while also promoting unity, respect, growth and flourishing for all.
In the spirit of 1 Corinthians 14, orderliness, not total silence, should be the goal. Women have much to contribute to the kingdom work of the church. Yet with humility and respect for Scripture, they can submit their gifts to be used within appropriate biblical parameters – resulting in harmony that honors God and enriches his people.
