Paul then applies this principle to a situation that was occurring in the church. And these verses are some of the most understood and misapplied in the entire Bible. So let’s look at these verses together:
The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.Let’s start by looking at what these verses do not mean. These verses do not mean that women cannot speak in church. As we discovered a few weeks ago in chapter 11, the issue is not whether or not a woman could speak in church; the issue was authority. When Paul talks about speaking in these verses, he is referring to women speaking authoritatively in judging the exercising of the spiritual gifts during the main worship gatherings. Paul’s point here was that only the Elders were the authorities responsible to evaluate the exercising of the spiritual gifts to ensure their accuracy to the message and teachings of Jesus.
There were women in the church, however, who were attempting to exercise authority and leadership outside the structure of the church by questioning the accuracy of what was being said in church. Paul then explains that if they want to question the authority or accuracy of what was being said in the church through the exercising of the spiritual gifts of tongues or prophecy, they were to have that conversation at home and not in the church, which would cause further disorder and distraction.
Paul is not forbidding women to speak in church or to exercise spiritual gifts in church; Paul is forbidding their attempt to exercise authority and leadership by judging what was being said. Paul then provides the reason for forbidding women to exercise authoritative leadership by pointing the church back to the book of Genesis and creation. Paul is reinforcing what he said earlier in this letter, which we looked at a few weeks ago, where the man is the first among equals, and has the role and responsibility to lovingly lead, protect, and provide for women in ways appropriate for their relationship, which includes exercising leadership in the church.
Paul then concludes this section of his letter to the church by explaining that if anyone wanted to push back on his directions and commands, they need to recognize that these are not his commands; these commands and directions are from the Lord. And because of this reality, the person who will not recognize or pay attention to these principles so as to follow them has consequences. And the consequence for disregarding these commands is that God will disregard and fail to pay attention to them.
Paul then reminds the members of the church to strive to exercise the spiritual gifts of prophecy. At the same time, however, Paul states that they were not to forbid the exercising of the spiritual gift of tongues. But in the exercising of the spiritual gifts, whatever gift they may be, they must be exercised in a way that is appropriate and that provides the order necessary that results in the spiritual good and growth of others.
So what is the desire that drives the use and exercise of your spiritual gifts? Are you driven by style over substance in spiritual gifts? Or are you driven by the spiritual good and growth of others?
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