Hi Taz,
Taz writes:
ICANT, I am very confused, and so far you've refused to explain why you don't think this is an example of scripture putting down women.
Sorry it took so long I been kinda busy. I also thought I would put a lot of eggs in one basket.
We need to start at the beginning.
Woman was taken from the side of man.
Not from the sole of his feet.
She was to be a help mate.
Not a door mat.
Gen. 2:21-24
21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Verse 24 tells us man will cling to, stay close, keep close, stick with.
Keep in mind this is before Eve ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
After eating the fruit.
16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Lets notice a couple of things here.
Why did the serpent go to the woman instead of the man?
Why do con men prey on little old women instead of little old men?
Women are more prone to being deceived than a man.
It seems they are a little more emotional.
Now to the text at hand.
I Corinthians
Lest anybody misunderstand lets see what Paul is speaking about.
18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
Paul is talking about speaking in other languages. Paul spoke several different languages.
Now back to verse one.
Paul said follow after charity. Love.
Desire spiritual gifts, There were several of which one was being able to speak in a language unknown to the one speaking it. But could be understood by someone who spoke that language.
The first known time speaking in other tongues was recorded is in Acts 2:4-8
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Every known language was present in Jerusalem at this time of Pentecost.
Every man heard the disciples speaking in their own tongue and was amazed.
This is not what is observed today that is known as speaking in an unknown tongue.
Now back to Paul and his problem he was trying to deal with.
It seems everybody wanted to speak during the meeting, in tongues and it was causing quite a lot of confusion.
So Paul tells them to desire to be able to prophesy rather than any of the other gifts.
3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Paul explains that everybody benefited from the prophesy.
But if everyone spoke the same language the only person edified would be the one speaking in the other tongue. Now if you realize they could not understand themselves how did they get edified. It made them feel good and important.
In verse 22 Paul says tongues are for a sign to those who do not believe.
Paul then in verse 23 talks about the worship service and said:
23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
So if you were having services and an unbeliever came in and there was 50 different languages being spoken they would think everybody was crazy.
But if everybody prophesy the unbeliever could be convinced.
26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Paul wanted to know why everyone had these things and there was mass confusion.
Then Paul addresses the problem.
27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God..
Taz take special notice here.
Vs 27 If any man. With a maximum of three speak one at a time.
Vs 28 If there is no interpreter man NO speak in the church.
Let the prophets speak maximum three. That all may learn.
From what I understand the Church at Corinth was a fairly large congregation in the hundreds.
Pauls reasons for giving these instructions was the God was not the author of confusion.
Now the bad boy.
34Let 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.
Let your women keep silence in the churches.
Everybody on here is reading this
MAKE slight difference.
Paul further explains that it is not permitted for them to speak.
Now since Paul has been speaking for some 33 verses about prophesying and speaking in other tongues. I would conclude he is still speaking of the same thing in verse 34 as he has not changed the topic.
Not only that but it has been pointed out that it could get quite noisy and confusing with a bunch of women asking their husbands, what did he say?
Because of that Paul said in verse 35 wait until you get home and ask your husband.
Then Paul committed the unpardonable sin according to most women. When he said: it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.
So now I am going to get to the part you are not going to like.
God made man and gave him a helper.
The helper was deceived by the serpent.
God put man in charge and made him responsible.
Some of the early men took advantage and made door mats out of their wives. Some still do today.
When I was growing up in the 40's a child did not talk back to a mother. They would find themselves getting up off the floor.
Dad might take it but it was not allowed for mom she had to work too hard to put up with that
It was a capital offense for a man to raise his hand against a woman must less strike her.
We had no such thing as an abusive husband in our community.
If one did raise his hand and strike his wife he would get a visit from the local correction team.
It would never happen again.
As things got better the women became ladies and were placed on a pedestal. Men were content to work and bring home the bacon for the ladies to prepare
Then people had to have a lot of stuff.
Stuff costs money. Got to the point man could not make enough. Mom had to get out of the kitchen and go to work. Leaving kids to raise themselves.
Mom had now ceased to be a lady and had become a woman demanding equal everything. Most men said OK you want it you got it.
They quit doing anything but going to work coming home flopping on the couch in front of TV till bedtime. Mom was left to do her job then come home and do the job that had to be done there also.
I have ladies that attend the church I pastor and they are loving every minute of it. They might not have all the stuff they want.
But they have their very desire of a loving caring husband to take care of them.
Would one of them dare to speak in another language in church no.
Would any of the men not if their life depended on it. None of them can
Now if we have some of our Cuban friends come visit us I ask one of the ladies that is fluent in their tongue to interpret what I am saying.
Will my women speak in church yes.
I even have a couple that will get my attention during the sermon and ask me a question.
Which I am always glad to answer if I have the information or clarification they are seeking. I encourage anyone to ask questions. As cavediver says the only stupid question is the one that is not ask.
Now I have explained what Paul was saying if you disagree that is your privilege, and I am sure many of you will.
I also explained how I feel about it by telling you how I operate. You can like that or you can lump it.
My wife of 50 years thinks I am doing just fine keeping her on her pedestal. She has no desire to climb down and be equal.
Y'all Have fun now.
"John 5:39 (KJS) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
™ Version 4.2
