“What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?” – 1st Corinthians 14:36
There’s a curious little literature construct unexpected in the Bible, yet, there it is!
Paul has a “woman-hater” reputation among the uninformed and failure to recognize this construct is partly to blame.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers about church life and how to exercise the gifts of the Spirit. Then, almost out of context he writes,
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. – 1st Corinthians 14:34-35
That’s where most stop, without looking at the next word.
That next word, “What!”, is translated various ways and sometimes not at all, but in the original language it not only means, “What!”, but presents a negative to what was just said, sometimes even accompanied by a “God Forbid!”.1 Today, it would be like us presenting a silly idea then saying, “NOT!”. This better translation is further indicated by Paul’s choice of the following word, “YOU”, which literally means, “You men”.
So, Paul is really saying, a little sarcastically, “Everyone can exercise the gifts of the Spirit in Church except your women. They should be silent, getting their understanding of God from their husbands because it’s a shame for them to speak! — Not! Does the word of God come just from you men?! Of course not!”
The Holy Spirit moves equally on both men and women and Holy Spirit’s ministry is valid for all!
“I will pour out my spirit … and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” – Joel 2:28b
Let God’s gifts flow!
-fritz
1 – 1st Corinthians 6:15b-16a
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 
hey Fritz, my mom was telling me about this little bomb you dropped on your blog. In my NIV translation it just totally misses it. I’ve been struggling with verses like 1 Cor:14:34-35 since i was a teenager. it seems cruel for God to give women (like me) words of knowledge or prophesies during church services if he didn’t want us to ever use them to build up the body. To me this just isn’t like my God. When I read your post I went to a couple of different translations to see what they said and I also consulted a book I have been passively reading called “Why Not Women” by Loren Cunningham and David Joel Hamilton. In the book they go into depth discussing this passage and have come to the same conclusion you have so aptly summarized here. Most translations leave out that tiny little word that basically means “NOT” or “Nonsense” or “God forbid”. Good grief! This misunderstanding of context and translation has really given the enemy some ground to bring so much division and confusion. Let us study the Word and be “…a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” -2 tim 2:14 (scripture memory song by dad to go with). Also let us not grieve the Spirit by dismissing His guidance because of our cultural belief systems! I want to be obedient.
Thanks, Lori, for the comment. This was first brought to my attention by Gilbert Bilezikian’s book, Beyond Sex Roles: What the Bible Says about a Woman’s Place in Church and Family. I have a link to it in my “Good Read” section of the blog.
Translating from one language to another is often difficult and, to me, a tip-of to an inaccurate understanding is when it doesn’t fit the character of Christ.
Blessing to you and yours!