60-REGARDING WOMEN

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 8, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 48.

60—REGARDING WOMEN

Will you kindly comment on 1 Cor. 11: 5, 6, 10, 13, and also on 1 Cor. 14: 34, 35, in the Question Corner? E. C. B.

1. If we could place ourselves in Corinth in the time of the apostle, we would see much reason for his instructions which does not apply now. Corinth was one of the wickedest if not the wickedest city in the apostle's day. Its position and commerce brought to it every form of idolatry and corruption, and licentious men and wanton women from all 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, Jews, Romans, Greeks, appeared in public veiled.

2. It is a fact that God's Spirit rested upon women in all ages, and they prophesied, talked, witnessed, sang for Him. See Ex. 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.

3. What the apostle taught was 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 just regard for the Lord's order. Some of them 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.

4. 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 Cor. 10: 31. In all things, Christian women should by their modesty and deportment commend the gospel of Christ.

Regarding 1 Cor. 14: 34, 35 there is help in the suggestion that the apostle is answering an objector who has uttered verses 34, 35. The apostle answers this objection, “What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?” Surely he would not forbid women to speak when he had just before given instruction as to how they should appear in public.