1 Corinthians 14:35 Commentary and Bible Study

Obviously, women as much as men are to profit from the ministry of the word and in both cases there will be matters which are not understood and which need further explanation. Calvin comments on this instruction that husbands were not the only channel of learning for wives, for they can also go to the Scriptures themselves, and indeed some husbands may not be competent to instruct their wives, and the wife may understand better than the husband. The instruction is given to prevent wives using their quest for knowledge as an excuse to stir up dissention in the church by raising matters publicly and in a contentious way. Husbands should also refrain from the same thing. Calvin says, ‘It is the part of the prudent reader to consider, that the things of which [Paul] here treats are intermediate and indifferent, in which there is nothing unlawful, but what is at variance with propriety and edification.’‘It is a shame for women to speak in the church.’ It is a shame because it is contrary to God’s order for society, and the church should be setting an example to the society in general and even to angels of proper submission to Christ’s rules. It is shameful when the church allows something to happen which blatantly overthrows God’s order. The same context covers the words ‘to speak in the church’, as does the words in the previous verse ‘keep silence in the churches.’ The subject is still the public teaching ministry of the gathered church.