The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-Q, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 19."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1980. All Rights Reserved.

Question

I got a controversial question on the gifts of teaching. 1 Corinthians 14:26-34. I have heard different interpretations of verse 34 where it says, “Let women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak...” My interpretation of what it's talking about, and correct me if I am wrong, is that they do not possess any of the gifts listed in verse 26, which are teaching and edifying gifts. Maybe, you can help me there.

Answer

Well, I don’t think it has anything to do with gifts. In fact, I think, it may assume that they do have the gift of teaching. Otherwise, they would not have to control how it is used. Do you understand what I am saying? If he says, “Let the women keep silent in the churches,” that may mean that there will be a temptation on the part of the women to want to teach in the church, which indicates that perhaps they do have the gift, and so, it has to be regulated. In the public service of the church, the men were to lead. The women were to learn in subjection. But, the older women were to teach the younger women. And, there is nothing in the Bible at all that says that a woman cannot have the gift of teaching or other gifts. The point here is that in the assembly of the church, when the church comes together, the prophets were to take over. He said the spirit of the prophets were to be subject to the prophets, and the women are to be silent. This is affirmed in 1 Timothy, where it says, I permit a woman not to teach, nor to take authority over men, but to learn in all subjection and so forth. This is the God-ordained pattern. It does not mean women are dumb, it just means that God has designed women to be different, and their role is different within the church. But, it doesn't mean that they don't have the gifts.

Question (continues)

So, what about the teaching that is taking the pulpit today, leading Bible studies with other men present?

Answer (continues)

Right. We would believe that the New Testament clearly teaches that women are to teach other women and children. That they are to be taught to teach their children, instruct their children. But, women are not to take the place of teaching men or mixed groups. That is our perspective as we look at the scriptures.

Now, people say that is chauvinistic, but that is not the point. The point is it is Biblical. And, it isn't chauvinistic to put a woman in the place God intended her to be, which is a place of dignity, and so forth. The balance, you see, in 1 Timothy, it says, "A woman is not to teach." Her influence is not to stand in the pulpit and teach. Where is her influence? The same passage says she should be saved in ...what? Childbearing. And, God has marvelously balanced the thing. You ask my children, who has influenced them the most, and they have sat in church and heard me preach. But, you ask them who has influenced them the most and I doubt whether they can answer the question, because in my wife’s bearing them as children, and in the intimacy that a mother gives to a child there is a level of influence that cannot even be equal in a pulpit. So, the balance is there.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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