1 Corinthians 14:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“But if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home” (1 Cor 14:35). They are not permitted in church, he says, not only to speak openly themselves, but even to ask about anything.

If they must not ask, then all the more are they not permitted to speak idly. Why does he place them in such subjection? Because woman is the weaker being, unstable and light-minded.

Therefore he appoints husbands as their teachers and brings benefit to both. He makes the women modest, and the men attentive, since they must transmit with complete accuracy to their wives what they hear.

Then, since speaking in the assembly was regarded among them as an honor, he again proves the contrary and says, “for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”

"And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home." So that no one may say, "If they do not speak, how will they learn what they do not know?" he answers that they must learn at home from their husbands.

This will make them modest and their husbands more attentive, since they will have to transmit accurately to their wives what they heard in church, in answer to their questions.

Note that women are not permitted to speak in church even about necessary and soul-profiting matters.

"For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church." Perhaps they were showing off with spiritual conversations in church. He, on the contrary, says that this is dishonorable and shameful for them.

I shall see the zeal of each man; I shall see the reverence of each woman. Let the mind be kindled toward reverence. Let the soul be set free. Let the hardness of unbelief be broken. Then may the gates of paradise be opened to each of you.

“For it is shameful for a woman to speak in the Church.” The impropriety of a woman being a teacher of the Church consists in this: the woman, who must be in subjection and dependence upon men, becomes their guide. In this, the hierarchy established by God is violated.

The law for women is this: they must not teach, even if they come into inspiration. Nor must they ask questions for instruction, but “ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church” (1 Cor 14:34-35).

Through this, the Apostle makes the women modest and the men attentive, as Chrysostom says.

Moreover, this rule concerning women is observed in all the churches: “Or did the word of God come out from you? Or did it reach you alone?” (1 Cor 14:36).

Everywhere one may observe this manner of his speech. He reproves not only by divine Scripture, but also by common customs, as Saint Chrysostom says.

Canon 70 of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, the Council in Trullo, otherwise called the Quinisext Council: Women are not permitted to speak during the Divine Liturgy, but according to the word of the Apostle Paul, they must keep silence.

For they were not commanded to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law also says. “But if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home” (1 Cor 14:34-35). See Trullo 64 and Laodicea 44.

This canon bases its prescription, that women must keep silence in church, on the words of the Apostle Paul.

Even in the ancient times of the Church, there were women dissatisfied with their subordinate position. They openly advanced claims to occupy places proper only to men, and even to teach in the churches.

Having spoken about the participation in church assemblies of men chosen by God, the Apostle commands concerning women that they be strictly forbidden to speak in church.

He bases this prohibition on their relation to their husbands as heads, whom they may ask at home about matters of faith. He also bases it on the fact that such a custom had been established in all the churches.

According to Saint John Chrysostom, “Here the Apostle does not exhort or advise, but commands with authority, bringing forward also the ancient law. Which one? ‘Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you’ (Gen 3:16).

"It is not permitted for them in church not only to speak openly themselves, but even to ask about anything.

If they must not ask, then much more are they not permitted to speak. Why does he place them in such subjection?

Because woman is the weaker being, unstable and light-minded. Therefore he appoints husbands as their teachers and brings benefit to both.

He makes women modest and husbands attentive, since they must transmit to their wives with complete exactness what they hear.

Further, since it was considered an honor among them to speak in the assembly, he again proves the opposite and says: 'For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.'