Question:
Will you kindly comment on 1 Corinthians 11:5, 6, 10, 13, and 14:34, 35?
Answer:
- If we could place ourselves in Corinth in the time of the apostle, we should see much reason for his instructions which do not exist now. In the apostle’s day, Corinth was one of the wickedest cities, if not the most corrupt. Its position and commerce brought to it every form of idolatry, corruption, and licentious men and wanton women from all over the world. In the language of that time, to “Corinthianize” was to play the wanton. There were idolatrous women; priestesses devoted religiously to lives of abandon. They appeared in public with disheveled hair and frantic actions. The best classes of women, Jewish, Roman, and Greek, appeared in public veiled.
- It is a fact that God’s Spirit rested upon women of all ages, and they prophesied, talked, witnessed, and sang for Him. See Exodus 15:20, 21; Judges 4:4, 5; 5: 1; 2 Kings 22:14-20; Joel 2:28, 29; Luke 2: 36-38; Acts 18:26; 21:9. It was therefore perfectly right for women to speak in a proper way in public.
- The apostle taught that the women in the Corinthian church should not go uncovered, like the shameless women of the world, or do anything that would not show regard for the Lord’s order. Some seem to have failed in this respect, and disorder was rampant. Different countries and different customs would have demanded different instruction. We may be sure that if the apostle were talking to unwise women living in a city or country where the shameless ones and wantons wore veils, and respectable women went unveiled, save in native and becoming modesty, he would give different instruction.
- The basis of all his instruction is found just before in his letter (there were no chapters or divisions in it till modern times): “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. In all things, Christian women should by their modesty and deportment commend the gospel of Christ.
Regarding 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35, there is help in suggesting that the apostle is answering an objector who has uttered verses 34 and 35. The apostle answers this objection: “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?” Indeed he would not forbid women to speak when he had just before given instruction on how they should appear in public.
