Folks, please take this in the spirit of fun exploration in the scriptures: what the heck is Paul saying in this verse:
NIV version: 1 Corinthians 14: 33-35: As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
In preparing this Friday Forum, I read some Bible commentaries, and the explanations given were pretty much what you would expect: the times were different then, and women were expected to act differently.
Paul is trying to appeal to some readers who are familiar with ancient Jewish ordinances, which prohibited women from teaching or even asking questions in the synagogue. Such behavior was considered indecorous in the 1st century AD. So, Paul is saying that Christian women should continue such “good” behavior by deferring to their husbands and avoiding any disputations or contention (or even asking questions) in church.
Yeah, Church meetings would be a bit different if these rules still applied.
I’d appreciate input from Biblical scholars who can explain these verses better than I have.