The italicized paragraphs below are from Margaret Mowczko’s conclusion to her post, which explains the Quotation–Refutation Theory based on the “What!” in 1 Corinthians 14:36; that is in some translations.
An important part of this theory is the first word of 1 Corinthians 14:36. The King James Bible and the Revised Standard Version are two of the few English translations that have the exclamation “what!” in verse 36.
35 … for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? (η) came the word of God out from you? or (η) came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or (η) spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
The first chapter of 1 Corinthians tells us that there were competing factions in the Corinthian church. It is possible one of these factions was trying to silence women in church meetings. This would have been a real concern for women like Chloe. So according to the quotation-refutation theory, Paul quotes this faction in verses 34 and 35 and then rebukes them in verses 36 to 38.
If Paul had meant for all women to be excluded from exercising certain ministry functions, why didn’t he mention this in his general teaching and in his lists of gifts and ministries in his letters? Why didn’t he write one list for men and another for women?
I do not believe Paul ever intended to restrict the ministry of godly, gifted women. Rather, his theology of ministry is gender-inclusive.
There is nothing whatsoever in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 (or in Col. 3:16 CSB) that suggests gender is a factor in any of the ministries mentioned in these chapters. Gifts, grace, and faith, and not gender, are the primary prerequisites and the means of ministry, including the ministries of leading and teaching.
Here is Margaret Mowczko’s list of men in the Bible who were guided and led by godly women.
- Paul’s Theology of Ministry: 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 – A talk Marg presented on February 11, 2023, in Brisbane (Australia) at a conference for Baptist Women in the Pacific – Part 1 and Part 2
- Click here for all her articles on submission.
- Lydia of Thyatira: The founding member of the Philippian Church
- Have Christians Had Gender Roles Wrong All This Time? Includes references to Beth Moore.
Rib vs. Side
Ross Nichols said in an after-class discussion on 9/7/2024 (https://www.youtube.com/live/MzCZqh27dl8) that the word “rib”—God took from Adam to make the women—in Hebrew is “side” and the wife is not from his ankle or other lower part but from his side—an equal position.
Women in the Bible at BibleStudy.org. Many names, facts, and roles.
What leadership roles have women in the Bible played? Which Biblical females were poets, prophets, rulers, and leaders of armies? Who was likely a female minister in the New Testament?
The role of women, even in today’s more “enlightened” world, is a subject rarely discussed in sermons or pursued as a distinct study. This ignorance means that when they are discussed in church or studied by a fellowship it is usually in a negative light.
