Question:
1 Corinthians 14:34,35 Many times this Chapter and verses are brought up in Bible Study and I would like to know if this still holds true? I see on TBN television station women preaching, is that biblical?
Answer:
I Corinthians 14:34,35 says, “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 ANY THING, LET THEM ASK THEIR HUSBANDS AT HOME: for IT IS A SHAME FOR WOMEN TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH.”
The Bible is very clear that God not only forbids women to be preachers, but forbids them to speak out at all in the church services. They are not even supposed to ask any questions publicly, but to ask their husbands privately at home. The reason for that is that women can actually teach, and/or disagree with the Pastor/Sunday School teacher by their questions, and by the way that they ask their questions. So the Bible forbids them to even ask any questions publicly in church.
This teaching obviously stirs up the wrath and rebellion of many outgoing and talkative women, who believe that they are just as spiritual, if not more spiritual, than many men. Many men are gladly willing to sit back and let the women run the church (and the home), and think that they are spiritual for being so “open-minded” about the whole matter. But in this same passage, the Bible clearly says who is spiritual. Verse 37 says, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or SPIRITUAL, LET HIM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE THINGS THAT I WRITE UNTO YOU ARE THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD.” A man or woman who defies this command of God is not spiritual, but is clearly in rebellion against God.
This is not the only passage that teaches this truth. I Timothy 2:11-14 says, “LET THE WOMAN LEARN IN SILENCE with all subjection. But I SUFFER NOT A WOMAN TO TEACH, NOR TO USURP AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN, BUT TO BE IN SILENCE. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” This passage gives the warning that women are not to teach men and be in authority over them, because Eve was deceived by the serpent. Both Adam and Eve sinned, but Eve really believed the serpent, that they were doing the smartest thing. Adam knew that it was the wrong thing to do, but did it anyway.
Isaiah 3:12 says, “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and WOMEN RULE OVER THEM. O my people, THEY WHICH LEAD THEE CAUSE THEE TO ERR, and destroy the way of thy paths.” The Bible warns that if women lead the men, then they will lead them into error. And that is certainly true of the whole Charismatic/Tongues Movement of today. Someone has stated that if the women would take their proper role in the church, the Charismatic Movement would die out over night.