A Biblical View of Women in the Ministry Part 2: Should a Woman Prophesy or Preach before Men? -- By: H. Wayne House

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 145:578 (Apr 1988)
Article: A Biblical View of Women in the Ministry Part 2: Should a Woman Prophesy or Preach before Men?
Author: H. Wayne House


A Biblical View of Women in the Ministry
Part 2:
Should a Woman Prophesy or Preach before Men?

H. Wayne House

Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology
Dallas Theological Seminary

In 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 Paul has an interesting, though perplexing, discussion about women praying and prophesying. The circumstances of this activity have been enigmatic to interpreters. Several problems arise when one seeks to examine the pericope. Some problems pertain to authenticity,1 others relate to obscure

information about the wearing of headcoverings2 and angels at congregational worship.3 Other issues are more appropriate to the present article: the role of apostolic tradition in the teaching of the passage, the significance of the Sitz im Leben, the meaning of κεφαλή (“head”), the role of the second creation narrative as a basis for Paul’s teaching, and the impact of the Christian church in Paul’s thinking on the Corinthian church.

The Setting of the Pericope

The apostle began this pericope after he had concluded a long section about the improper way the Corinthians had taken advantage of their freedom in Christ. Possibly picking up their phrase, “All things are lawful,”4 he reminded them that all things, however, are not necessary nor do they edify (10:23). Having given gentle rebukes (1:10–11; 3:1–4; 4:7–13, 18; 5:1–3; 6:1–8; 7:1–5; 8:9–12; 10:1–14), he began a sectionwith praise(ἐπαινῶ) for his readers’ remembrance of him and their adherence to the traditions he had delivered (παρέδωκα) to them (11:2). He then proceeded to correct an abuse of freedom in Christ by some women in the Corinthian assembly.5

The New Apostolic Instruction

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