Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:34

"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." — 1 Corinthians 14:34 (ASV)

Let your women keep silence, etc. (1 Corinthians 14:34). This rule is positive: explicit and universal. There is no ambiguity in the expressions, and it would seem, there can be no difference of opinion regarding their meaning. The meaning is clearly that in all those matters he had specified, the women were to keep silence; they were to take no part.

He had discussed speaking in foreign languages and prophecy; and the clear meaning is that concerning all these, women were to keep silent, or not to participate in them. These activities pertained solely to the male members of the congregation. These matters formed the basis of public teaching, and in this, the female members of the congregation were to be silent.

"They were not to teach the people, nor were they to interrupt those who were speaking."—Rosenmuller. It is probable that, claiming to be inspired, the women had assumed the office of public teachers. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul had argued against their doing this in a certain manner—without their veils (1 Corinthians 11:5); and he had shown that, on that account, and in that manner, it was improper for them to assume the office of public teachers and to conduct the devotions of the church.

The force of the argument in 1 Corinthians 11 is that what he states there would be a sufficient reason against the practice, even if there were no other. It was contrary to all decency and propriety that they should appear in that manner in public. He here argues against the practice ON EVERY GROUND; forbids it altogether; and shows that on every consideration it was to be regarded as improper for them even so much as to ask a question during public worship.

There is, therefore, no inconsistency between the argument in 1 Corinthians 11 and the statement here; and the force of the whole is that, on every consideration, it was improper, and to be expressly prohibited, for women to conduct the devotions of the church. It does not refer to those only who claimed to be inspired, but to all; it does not refer merely to acts of public preaching, but to all acts of speaking, or even asking questions, when the church is assembled for public worship.

No rule in the New Testament is more positive than this; and however plausible may be the reasons which may be urged for disregarding it, and for allowing women to take part in conducting public worship, yet the authority of the apostle Paul is positive, and his meaning cannot be mistaken. Compare 1 Timothy 2:11–12.

To be under obedience. To be subject to their husbands; to acknowledge the superior authority of the man. See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 11:3.

As also saith the law. Genesis 3:16: And thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

This reference to "the law" (1 Corinthians 14:34) is supported by passages such as Genesis 3:16; Numbers 30:3–12; and Esther 1:20.