" Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
This is plain. For a woman to take part publicly in the church is in defiance of Scripture.
But we are told the word "speak " really means " chatter." We are told that the men sat on one side and the women on the other in the Christian assemblies, as is the custom in Jewish synagogues to this day. We are told the women brought scandal upon the public service by chattering.
But the word "speak" does not mean "chatter." It is the ordinary word for " speak," and is used in reference to God Himself.
Others urge this has only reference to married women. But it seems too absurd to suppose that a woman should be able to speak the day before she is married, and be unable to do so the day after.
The fact is Scripture supposes women in a very general way being married, hence they were to ask their husbands at home. Clearly an unmarried woman might happily ask some married brother her questions and be well within the spirit of the divine instructions.
Again, Scripture says:
" If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD.
" I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting."
Here " men " means men in contradistinction to women. The Greek word employed here excludes women.
The next verse speaks of women in contradistinction to men, exhorting them to modesty and simplicity in dress and ornament.
Then the Apostle adds:
This carries the question further than 1 Cor. 14, where conduct in the assembly is in view. Here it is conduct as between man and woman, and would include any public testimony, where both sexes were present.
Two reasons are given:
" For Adam was first formed, then Eve (ver. 13).
Evidently this is the strongest reason, as showing the order of creation; the illustration, too, of Christ and the church.
Then:
" Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (ver. 14).
Here governmental consequences are seen consequent on the first woman not being subject to God's order.