Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:35

"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." — 1 Corinthians 14:35 (ASV)

And if they will learn any thing. If anything has been spoken which they do not understand, or if on any particular subject they desire more full information, let them ask their husbands at home. There they may converse freely, and their inquiries will not result in the irregularity and disorder that would occur if they were to interrupt the order and solemnity of public worship.

For it is a shame. It is disreputable and shameful; it is a breach of propriety. Their station in life demands modesty and humility, and they should be free from the ostentation of appearing so prominently in public as to take part in the public services of teaching and praying. It does not befit their position in life; it is not fulfilling the purpose God evidently intended for them.

He has appointed men to rule, to hold offices, and to instruct and govern the church; and it is improper for women to assume that office for themselves. This evidently and obviously refers to the church assembled for public worship, in the ordinary and regular acts of devotion. There the assembly is made up of males and females, of old and young, and there it is improper for them to take part in conducting the exercises.

But this cannot be interpreted as meaning that it is improper for women to speak or to pray in meetings of their own sex, assembled for prayer or for benevolence; nor that it is improper for a woman to speak or to pray in a Sabbath-school. Neither of these falls under the apostle's concept of the church in this context.

And in such meetings, no rule of propriety or of the Scriptures is violated when they speak for the edification of one another, or lead in social prayer. It may be added here, that on this subject the Jews were very strenuous, and their laws were very strict. The Rabbis taught that a woman should know nothing but the use of the distaff, and they were specially prohibited from asking questions in the synagogue, or even from reading.—See Lightfoot. The same rule is still observed by the Jews in the synagogues.

* "shame": "unbecoming".