1 Corinthians 14.34-35: a Reconsideration of Paul's Limitation of the Free Speech of Some Corinthian Women

Abstract

This paper argues that the interpolation theory for 1 Cor. 14.34-35 is historically improbable. Instead these words should be regarded as Paul's own and so interpreted in their present context. In 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul seeks to convince the Corinthians that charismatic worship is an appropriate expression only when love is manifest.Paul wrote 14.34-35 out of concern that some women's speech was detrimental to the Corinthian assembly's exercise of prophecy, not because it was spoken by women, but because it was self-focused rather than loving. While Paul's means of persuasion trades on the patriarchal values of his society, his diagnosis of the problem at Corinth is based not on subordinationist convictions but rather on a concern to communicate that sensitivity and love should be the cardinal testimony to God.