Oct 4, 2026 · 21 min · 10 segments
Does the Bible really tell women to be quiet and submissive? 1 Corinthians 14 — Breaking down this key and often controversial verse, “women should remain silent” in the light of Paul’s preceding…
Why is this distinction between a descriptive and prescriptive reading so important when we come to verses such as 34 and 35?
This is such an important, um, distinction or differentiation to keep in mind, isn't it, when we read, when we read all of Scripture.
Um, and when it comes to these verses in 1 Corinthians, we can make the mistake of making certain practices commands or requirements in order to be a Christian or be part of the Christian church.
But here, Paul's description of certain practices of this particular situation have more to do with telling us about the context than they do with telling us exactly how we should live in 2026.
I mean, some of the ones that the Church refers to, um, throughout 2,000 years are the Sermon on the Mount or the Greatest Commandment.
Um, these are universal practices or indications for all Christians at all times everywhere.
Um, but here in chapter 14, Paul's describing, as Mark Moscow, uh, helpfully indicated, Paul's describing what's going on in the Christian community in Corinth, whether that's one congregation or, or several.
And he's wanting to correct practices of different gifts within the community.
So from these instructions that are descriptive, we can piece together what's going on.
There's a measure of disorder in that community, even, even chaos, and certainly there was some kind of confused leadership in that community.
Mm-hmm
... what Paul's doing here is not saying all churches and all places need to work this way, but, "You Corinthians, these are the challenges you're facing, and this is how I want you to correct those unhelpful or incorrect or inconsistent practices." Um, so they certainly do give instructions about what was to happen, but th- the reading seems plain.
Paul is not issuing them as universal principles or prescriptions, and I dare say he would never have imagined anyone would read them as such.
And, um, I think when we do make the mistake of take prescription for prescription, we run the risk of harnessing the word of God for our own agenda, and that is something we really, really don't want to do.
Why is this distinction between a descriptive and prescriptive reading so important when we come to verses such as 34 and 35?
This is such an important, um, distinction or differentiation to keep in mind, isn't it, when we read, when we read all of Scripture.
Um, and when it comes to these verses in 1 Corinthians, we can make the mistake of making certain practices commands or requirements in order to be a Christian or be part of the Christian church.
But here, Paul's description of certain practices of this particular situation have more to do with telling us about the context than they do with telling us exactly how we should live in 2026.
I mean, some of the ones that the Church refers to, um, throughout 2,000 years are the Sermon on the Mount or the Greatest Commandment.
Um, these are universal practices or indications for all Christians at all times everywhere.
Um, but here in chapter 14, Paul's describing, as Mark Moscow, uh, helpfully indicated, Paul's describing what's going on in the Christian community in Corinth, whether that's one congregation or, or several.
And he's wanting to correct practices of different gifts within the community.
So from these instructions that are descriptive, we can piece together what's going on.
There's a measure of disorder in that community, even, even chaos, and certainly there was some kind of confused leadership in that community.
Mm-hmm
... what Paul's doing here is not saying all churches and all places need to work this way, but, "You Corinthians, these are the challenges you're facing, and this is how I want you to correct those unhelpful or incorrect or inconsistent practices." Um, so they certainly do give instructions about what was to happen, but th- the reading seems plain.
Paul is not issuing them as universal principles or prescriptions, and I dare say he would never have imagined anyone would read them as such.
And, um, I think when we do make the mistake of take prescription for prescription, we run the risk of harnessing the word of God for our own agenda, and that is something we really, really don't want to do.
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