1 Corinthians 14:34

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

let the wives remain silent when the congregation meets; they are certainly not permitted to speak out. Rather, let them remain subordinate, as also the Torah says;

Berean Standard Bible:

Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

American Standard Version:

let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Let^{G4601} your^{G5216} women^{G1135} keep silence^{G4601} in^{G1722} the churches^{G1577}: for^{G1063} it is^{G2010} not^{G3756} permitted^{G2010} unto them^{G846} to speak^{G2980}; but^{G235} they are commanded to be under obedience^{G5293}, as^{G2531} also^{G2532} saith^{G3004} the law^{G3551}.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 14:34

1 Corinthians 14:34 is a verse that has been the subject of much debate, particularly in discussions about the role of women in the early Christian church and in contemporary religious practice. The verse, within the broader context of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, addresses the conduct of worship services. Paul is advising the Corinthian church on orderly worship, emphasizing the importance of prophecy over speaking in tongues, and in this specific verse, he instructs that women should remain silent in the churches.

The historical context of this directive is rooted in the cultural norms of the time, where societal structures were patriarchal, and the roles of men and women were strictly defined. In the Greco-Roman world, it was customary for women to have a more subdued role in public settings, including religious gatherings. Paul's instruction for women to be silent and to be under obedience reflects these societal expectations. The mention of "the law" in this verse is likely a reference to the Old Testament law or possibly Jewish rabbinic tradition, which also upheld male authority and female subordination.

The themes of this verse include order within the church, the role of women in religious settings, and the relationship between cultural norms and scriptural instructions. It is important to note that interpretations of this verse vary widely. Some see it as a timeless command that should be applied universally, while others view it as a culturally specific directive that may not be directly applicable to modern contexts where societal roles and understandings of gender equality have evolved significantly.

In summary, 1 Corinthians 14:34 reflects the apostle Paul's guidance to the Corinthian church regarding the silencing of women during worship services, which aligns with the broader cultural norms of the time. The verse has been central to ongoing discussions about gender roles in religious communities and the application of ancient scripture in contemporary society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G4601
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σιγάω
   Transliteration: sigáō
   Pronunciation: see-gah'-o
   Description: from σιγή; to keep silent (transitively or intransitively):--keep close (secret, silence), hold peace.
   
2. Strong's Number: G5216
   There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῶν
   Transliteration: hymōn
   Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
   Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
   
3. Strong's Number: G1135
   There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γυνή
   Transliteration: gynḗ
   Pronunciation: goo-nay'
   Description: probably from the base of γίνομαι; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1577
   There are 115 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκκλησία
   Transliteration: ekklēsía
   Pronunciation: ek-klay-see'-ah
   Description: from a compound of ἐκ and a derivative of καλέω; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2010
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιτρέπω
   Transliteration: epitrépō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-trep'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and the base of τροπή; to turn over (transfer), i.e. allow:--give leave (liberty, license), let, permit, suffer.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
9. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2980
    There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λαλέω
    Transliteration: laléō
    Pronunciation: lal-eh'-o
    Description: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:--preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare λέγω.
    
11. Strong's Number: G235
    There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλλά
    Transliteration: allá
    Pronunciation: al-lah'
    Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G5293
    There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑποτάσσω
    Transliteration: hypotássō
    Pronunciation: hoop-ot-as'-so
    Description: from ὑπό and τάσσω; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2531
    There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καθώς
    Transliteration: kathṓs
    Pronunciation: kath-oce'
    Description: from κατά and ὡς; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3004
    There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λέγω
    Transliteration: légō
    Pronunciation: leg'-o
    Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
    
16. Strong's Number: G3551
    There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: νόμος
    Transliteration: nómos
    Pronunciation: nom'-os
    Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.