5

SAYING THAT SOME VERSES FOUND

IN EVERY MANUSCRIPT ARE NOT

PART OF THE BIBLE

Some evangelical feminists say that some verses

that are in every ancient manuscript

of 1 Corinthians are not really part of the Bible

In 1 Corinthians 14:33b-35 Paul says,

As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in

the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in

submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to

learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a

woman to speak in church.

One common interpretation of these verses, and the one I think is best,
holds that Paul is saying women should “keep silent” during the judg-
ing of prophecies, which is the topic under discussion in this context
(see v. 29: “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh
what is said”). This would be consistent with Paul’s teaching elsewhere
that restricts governing authority over the entire congregation to men
(see 1 Tim. 2:11-15; 3:2).^1

(^1) For further explanation see Wayne Grudem, Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth (Sisters,
Ore.: Multnomah, 2004), 78-79, 232-242; and Wayne Grudem, The Gift of Prophecy in the
New Testament and Today, rev. ed. (Wheaton: Crossway, 2000), 183-192.