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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Here the apostle, 1. Enjoins silence on their women in public assemblies, and to such a degree that they must not ask questions for their own information in the church, but ask their husbands at home. They are to learn in silence with all subjection; but, says the apostle, I suffer them not to teach, 1 Tim. 2:11, 12. There is indeed an intimation (1 Cor. 11:5) as if the women sometimes did pray and prophecy in their assemblies, which the apostle, in that passage, does not simply condemn, but... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:34-40

14:34-40 Let women keep silent in the congregation, for it is not permitted to them to speak, but let them be in subjection even as the law says. If they wish to learn about anything, let them question their husbands at home. It is a shameful thing for a woman to speak in the congregation. Was it from you that God's word went out? Or, was it to you alone that it came? If anyone thinks that he is a forthteller of the truth, or that he has a special spiritual gift, let him understand... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:34

Let your women keep silence in the churches ,.... This is a restriction of, and an exception to one of the above rules, that all might prophesy; in which he would be understood of men only, and not of women; and is directed against a practice which seems to have prevailed in this church at Corinth, allowing women to preach and teach in it; and this being a disorderly practice, and what was not used in other churches, the apostle forbids and condemns, and not without reason: for it is not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:34

Let your women keep silence in the churches - This was a Jewish ordinance; women were not permitted to teach in the assemblies, or even to ask questions. The rabbins taught that "a woman should know nothing but the use of her distaff." And the sayings of Rabbi Eliezer, as delivered, Bammidbar Rabba, sec. 9, fol. 204, are both worthy of remark and of execration; they are these: לנשים ימסרו ואל תורה דברי ישרפו yisrephu dibrey torah veal yimsaru lenashim , "Let the words of the law be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 14:34

Verse 34 It appears that the Church of the Corinthians was infected with this fault too, that the talkativeness of women was allowed a place in the sacred assembly, or rather that the fullest liberty was given to it. Hence he forbids them to speak in public, either for the purpose of teaching or of prophesying. This, however, we must understand as referring to ordinary service, or where there is a Church in a regularly constituted state; for a necessity may occur of such a nature as to require... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Grace and gifts. "Follow after charity," etc. There are many separate verses in this chapter implying or suggesting thoughts capable of being wrought out into sermonic sketches, but my purpose now is to take a homiletical glance at the whole. The following general propositions will bring all the parts into a logical connection:— I. THE GRACE OF CHARITY IS SUPERIOR TO ALL ENDOWMENTS . I say "charity," for I prefer the word to the word "love," which the New Version... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Decency and order in the Church. I. REFLECT UPON WHAT THE CHURCH IS . 1. It is the "Church of the living God" ( 1 Timothy 3:15 ). In its worship it worships the Eternal. It is the depository of his truth. It is the "temple of God" ( 1 Corinthians 3:16 ). 2. It is the Church of Christ. "My Church" ( Matthew 16:18 ). It 3. The abiding place of the Holy Ghost. ( 1 Corinthians 3:16 .) 4. The great instrumentality for the conversion of the ungodly. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:33-40

Concluding views. If edification was to be the rule of conduct in everything, it is plain that the prophets must govern themselves. No matter how sincere and truthful their zeal, or how honest and excellent their purpose, feelings, and even the best feelings, must be held under firm restraint. They had this power, and it was from God; for he is "not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Churches of the saints." St. Paul directs further that "women keep silence in the Churches."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 14:34

Let your women keep silence in the Churches. St. Paul evidently meant this to be a general rule, and one which ought to be normally observed; for he repeats it in 1 Timothy 2:11 , 1 Timothy 2:12 . At the same time, it is fair to interpret it as a rule made with special reference to time and circumstances, and obviously admitting of exceptions in both dispensations ( 4:4 ; 2 Kings 22:14 ; Nehemiah 6:14 ; Luke 2:36 ; Acts 2:17 ; Acts 21:9 ), as is perhaps tacitly implied in 1... read more

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