By Timothy W. Burnett
Verse 33 provides the underlying context, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in all churches of the saints." We saw in verses 26 and 12 that all things were to be done unto the edification of the church. Is confusion edifying? No! In general, chapter 14 is talking about the assembly of believers, and more specifically the use of the interpretation of tongues and prophesy during the assembly. The first part of the chapter was revealing what not to do, which is reproof. Then verses 27-33 provided the correction. Then we came to the subject of this column in verses 34-35. When we allow God's word to simply interpret itself, we will see that the women in these churches were very unruly and causing confusion in the churches. They were very likely interrupting their husbands during the part of the meetings when some spoke in tongues and gave the interpretation, and others gave words of prophesy. When we see confusion and disorderliness in churches, we are assured that this is not of God.
What is God's will for the women in the churches? Does He forbid them from teaching? Does He command them to never speak in tongues and give the interpretation during assemblies of believers? Or give words of prophesy? Let's go back to 1Corinthians 12:7, "But the manifestation of the spirit of God is given to every man to profit withal." The word "man" came from an earlier known Greek word which meant "every" or "each." It does not teach us that only men can get holy spirit. It is for all people to profit from. Go to Acts 2:16-18, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, said God, that I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy..." Hey! Didn't we just read in 1Corinthians that women were not to speak in the church? God's word never contradicts itself. Look at the context...the context...the context. In the above scripture Peter was explaining to all who were present in the temple, what they had just seen and heard, which was speaking in tongues.
Both men and women can be filled with holy spirit. All of God's saints can benefit from holy spirit in every way that is available. As it is written, "For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male or female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28).
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