1 Corinthians 14:35

KJV

And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} if {G1487} they will {G2309} learn {G3129} any thing {G5100}, let them ask {G1905} their {G2398} husbands {G435} at {G1722} home {G3624}: for {G1063} it is {G2076} a shame {G149} for women {G1135} to speak {G2980} in {G1722} the church {G1577}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and if there is something they want to know, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak out in a congregational meeting.

Berean Standard Bible

If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

American Standard Version

And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:35 directs women who desire to learn to inquire of their husbands at home, stating that it is "a shame" for women to speak in the church. This verse is part of Paul's broader discourse in 1 Corinthians 12-14 concerning the orderly and edifying conduct of public worship, particularly addressing issues of confusion and impropriety that had arisen within the Corinthian assembly regarding the exercise of spiritual gifts and general participation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's extensive teaching on spiritual gifts and their proper use in the church, spanning [1 Corinthians chapters 12-14](/1-corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts"). Specifically, it immediately follows [1 Corinthians 14:34](/1-corinthians/14-34 "1 Corinthians 14:34 - Women to be Silent"), which also calls for women to be silent in the churches and to be in submission. The overarching theme of this section is the necessity of order, intelligibility, and edification in corporate worship, contrasting with the chaotic practices Paul observed in Corinth. Paul's directives aim to ensure that all activities contribute to the spiritual growth of the community and do not hinder the gospel message or bring disrepute to the assembly.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan city with diverse cultural influences. In Greco-Roman society, public speaking by women, especially in mixed-gender assemblies, was generally considered inappropriate or even scandalous, particularly if it involved challenging male authority or engaging in disruptive questioning. The concept of "shame" (Greek: _aischrón_) in this context often referred to public impropriety or conduct that brought dishonor, rather than strictly moral guilt. Paul's instruction likely addresses specific behaviors in the Corinthian church that were perceived as disorderly or culturally offensive, potentially involving women interrupting, loudly questioning, or engaging in debates during the assembly, which would have been seen as disrespectful to the established social norms and the decorum of the Christian gathering.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme throughout [1 Corinthians 14](/1-corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship") is the **order and edification** of the church during public worship. Paul consistently emphasizes that all spiritual gifts and activities should be exercised in a manner that builds up the body of Christ, not causes confusion or disorder (cf. [1 Corinthians 14:26](/1-corinthians/14-26 "1 Corinthians 14:26 - Everything for Edification")). This verse also highlights the theme of **avoiding disorder and shame**, as Paul explicitly states that it is "a shame" for women to speak in this context, indicating a concern for the church's reputation and internal harmony. Furthermore, the verse touches on **learning and instruction**, acknowledging that women had a desire to understand, but directing them to a culturally appropriate and less disruptive setting—their home—to seek knowledge from their husbands. This reflects the **cultural nuances** of the time regarding gender roles and public interaction, which are crucial for a balanced interpretation of the passage.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shame (Greek, _aischrón'_):** From G149, meaning a shameful thing or indecorum. In this context, it refers to behavior that is culturally inappropriate or brings dishonor to the assembly, rather than moral guilt. Paul is concerned with maintaining the good reputation and orderly conduct of the church, ensuring that its practices do not appear unseemly to outsiders or cause internal disruption.
* **women (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** From G1135, broadly meaning a woman, but specifically a wife. The context of "husbands at home" (G435 _anḗr_ for husband, G3624 _oîkos_ for home) strongly suggests that Paul is addressing married women, or at least women within a domestic context where a husband would be present for instruction and dialogue. This specificity helps narrow the scope of the directive.
* **speak (Greek, _laléō'_):** From G2980, a general term for talking, uttering words, or conversing. While broad, its usage here, juxtaposed with the instruction to "ask their husbands at home" (G1905 _eperōtáō_ meaning to ask for, inquire), suggests a focus on disruptive questioning, unauthorized teaching, or contentious public discourse that would undermine the order Paul is seeking to establish in the Corinthian assembly. It is important to distinguish this from other forms of vocal participation, such as praying or prophesying, which are mentioned elsewhere (e.g., [1 Corinthians 11:5](/1-corinthians/11-5 "1 Corinthians 11:5 - Women Praying and Prophesying")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if they will learn any thing":** This clause acknowledges that women in the Corinthian church had a legitimate desire for instruction and understanding, indicating their active participation in the learning process within the assembly.
* **"let them ask their husbands at home":** This provides Paul's prescribed method and location for this learning. It directs women to a private, domestic setting where they can seek clarification and understanding from their husbands without causing disruption in the public gathering. This reflects the societal norms of the time regarding the roles of men and women within the household and public sphere.
* **"for it is a shame for women to speak in the church":** This final clause provides the rationale for the preceding instruction. The "shame" (Greek: _aischrón_) refers to the impropriety or indecorum of women speaking in a way that disrupts the order, challenges authority, or violates cultural expectations within the public assembly. Paul's concern is for the orderly conduct and good reputation of the church.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Prescriptive Language** in this verse, issuing a direct command ("let them ask") and providing a clear rationale ("for it is a shame"). This reflects his apostolic authority in addressing specific behavioral issues within the Corinthian church. The verse also demonstrates **Cultural Accommodation**, where Paul's instruction is deeply rooted in the societal norms and expectations of 1st-century Corinth regarding public decorum and gender roles. While the underlying principle of order and edification is timeless, the specific application of asking husbands at home is tailored to the cultural context to avoid bringing "shame" upon the assembly.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while culturally specific in its application, underscores the timeless theological principle that Christian worship should be characterized by order, decency, and edification, reflecting the character of God, who is "not a God of disorder but of peace" ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1-corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order")). The desire for learning is affirmed, but the means of learning are directed in a way that respects the prevailing cultural norms and ensures the smooth functioning of the assembly. It highlights the tension between the freedom found in Christ and the need for prudent conduct that does not cause offense or confusion, especially to those outside the faith. The passage also implicitly addresses the importance of mutual respect and the complementary roles within marriage and the church, where instruction and support can be provided in appropriate settings.

* [1 Corinthians 14:26](/1-corinthians/14-26 "1 Corinthians 14:26 - Everything for Edification")
* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1-corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Everything Done in a Fitting and Orderly Way")
* [Titus 2:3-5](/titus/2-3-5 "Titus 2:3-5 - Older Women Teaching Younger Women")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Interpreting 1 Corinthians 14:35 requires careful discernment, recognizing its historical and cultural context while seeking its enduring principles. While the specific directive for women to ask husbands at home is a product of its time, the underlying wisdom about maintaining order, fostering edification, and avoiding disruptive behavior in public worship remains profoundly relevant. For contemporary churches, this verse challenges us to consider how our gatherings reflect God's character of peace and order, ensuring that all participants can learn and grow without unnecessary distraction or impropriety. It encourages a spirit of humility in learning and a commitment to the common good of the church. Furthermore, it prompts reflection on how we can create environments where questions can be asked and understanding can be gained, whether in public or private settings, always with the aim of building up the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does our church balance freedom in worship with the need for order and edification?**
* **In what ways might our actions, even with good intentions, inadvertently cause "shame" or disruption in our church gatherings today?**
* **How can we foster an environment where all members, regardless of gender, can learn and grow in their understanding of God's Word in appropriate and edifying ways?**

### FAQ

**Does 1 Corinthians 14:35 universally prohibit women from speaking in church?**

Answer: No, a careful reading of the broader New Testament and the immediate context of 1 Corinthians 14 suggests that this verse is not a universal prohibition against all forms of female vocal participation in the church. Paul himself acknowledges women praying and prophesying publicly in [1 Corinthians 11:5](/1-corinthians/11-5 "1 Corinthians 11:5 - Women Praying and Prophesying"), provided they do so in a culturally appropriate manner (with head coverings). The "speaking" (Greek: _laléō_) in [1 Corinthians 14:35](/1-corinthians/14-35 "1 Corinthians 14:35 - Women's Silence in Church") is specifically linked to disruptive questioning or unauthorized teaching that would cause disorder or "shame" within the Corinthian assembly, which was struggling with chaos in its worship. Most scholars understand this as a culturally specific command addressing particular issues of impropriety and disorder in that context, rather than a blanket ban on all female speech or teaching. The enduring principle is the importance of order and edification in public worship, and the avoidance of anything that would bring disrepute to the Christian gathering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 14:35 addresses specific behavioral issues within the Corinthian church, its underlying principles find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ and the nature of the church as His body. Christ, as the head of the church, brings order out of chaos and unity out of diversity, as seen in the harmonious functioning of spiritual gifts for the common good ([1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1-corinthians/12-4-7 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity of Spirit")). The "shame" Paul seeks to avoid is antithetical to the glory and purity of the church, which Christ "loved and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). In Christ, the old societal distinctions and barriers are broken down, as "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). Therefore, while Paul’s specific directive was a culturally sensitive application for order, the ultimate vision for the church, empowered by the Spirit of Christ, is one where all members contribute to the edification of the body, reflecting the peace and wisdom of God for the sake of His kingdom ([Romans 12:4-8](/romans/12-4-8 "Romans 12:4-8 - Gifts for Service")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Ephesians 5:12

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1 Corinthians 11:6

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

1 Corinthians 11:14

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

1 Corinthians 14:34

¶ 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.