- Not permanent. Previously in the chapter, Paul addresses people speaking in tongues and prophesying. To those speaking in tongues he tells them to keep silent if there is no interpreter. To those prophesying he tells them to stop if someone else gets up. The same word is used for both these instances and is used again when he tells women to remain silent (sigao). So he cannot be instructing a permanent silence.
- Not regarding preaching. I think the instruction in verse 35 (“if they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home”) makes it clear that this instruction does not concern preaching. I’m not saying it says that women should preach, just that I don’t think it prohibits it. The verse seems to be concerned with women asking questions, or inquiring about something (perhaps related to prophecy), and that is what they should refrain from doing. The NASB translates it to “if they want to learn anything,” which suggests that this is not in the context of teaching.
- Not regarding prophecy. The rest of the chapter makes no distinction between genders when prophesying. Furthermore, in chapter 11 verse 5, Paul speaks directly to women who are praying and prophesying. Add to that the witness of the many prophetesses in Scripture (e.g. Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Anna), and it becomes clear that Paul is not saying women cannot speak to prophesy.
- Concerning order. Paul’s primary aim/overall big picture in this chapter, particularly of verses 26-40, is that there is order to the church gathering. He says in verse 33 that God is a God of peace, not disorder, and that this should be reflected in the gatherings of His people. He finishes the chapter by advocating for everyone to encourage prophecy and tongues, but noting that “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” This is why I’m not convinced that the instruction to women to keep quiet pertains to authority to weigh the prophecy, as I’ve heard taught. This passage is not discussing church leadership or authority. That verse (v 29) says that “the others should weigh carefully what is said.” I don’t think there’s a clear continuation of the idea in the following verses to make the argument that this is what women are prohibited from doing.
- Situational. That they should ask their husbands seems to me an indication that this can’t be a universal order to all women. Many women do not have husbands, or do not have believing husbands who can answer these questions. Rather, it seems to suggest that this is a situational instruction. He addresses specific situations in the church in Corinth throughout the chapter; debates on the superiority of tongues and prophecy, how to approach the speaking of tongues without an interpreter, the control of those who prophecy over what they say. It is therefore not convenient or stretching to understand the instruction for women to remain quiet for a time as something that speaks to a specific situation. Many suggest that men and women sat separately in this culture, and that the questions or interruptions from wives to their husbands was disruptive to the service.
I'm still trying to work out what I believe when it comes to complementarian/egalitarian positions. This is just an attempt at untangling my thoughts and figuring out what I do believe from this passage. There are Bible teachers I greatly admire and respect who take a strong stance on both sides of this debate. Here's to more learning!
