Homilies on First Corinthians — Homily 37

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also says the law.

Having abated the disturbance both from the tongues and from the prophesyings; and having made a law to prevent confusion, that they who speak with tongues should do this in turn, and that they who prophesy should be silent when another begins; he next in course proceeds to the disorder which arose from the women, cutting off their unseasonable boldness of speech: and that very opportunely. For if to them that have the gifts it is not permitted to speak inconsiderately, nor when they will, and this, though they be moved by the Spirit; much less to those women who prate idly and to no purpose. Therefore he represses their babbling with much authority, and taking the law along with him, thus he sews up their mouths; not simply exhorting here or giving counsel, but even laying his commands on them vehemently, by the recitation of an ancient law on that subject. For having said, Let your women keep silence in the churches; and it is not permitted unto them to speak, but let them be in subjection; he added, as also says the law. And where does the law say this? Your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you. [[Genesis 3.16]] Do you see the wisdom of Paul, what kind of testimony he adduced, one that not only enjoins on them silence, but silence too with fear; and with as great fear as that wherewith a maid servant ought to keep herself quiet. Wherefore also having himself said, it is not permitted unto them to speak, he added not, but to be silent, but instead of to be silent, he set down what is more, to wit, the being in subjection. And if this be so in respect of husbands, much more in respect of teachers, and fathers, and the general assembly of the Church. But if they are not even to speak, says one, nor ask a question, to what end are they to be present? That they may hear what they ought; but the points which are questioned let them learn at home from their husbands. Wherefore also he added,

And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home.

Thus, not only, as it seems, are they not allowed to speak, says he, at random, but not even to ask any question in the church. Now if they ought not to ask questions, much more is their speaking at pleasure contrary to law. And what may be the cause of his setting them under so great subjection? Because the woman is in some sort a weaker being and easily carried away and light minded. Here you see why he set over them their husbands as teachers, for the benefit of both. For so he both rendered the women orderly, and the husbands he made anxious, as having to deliver to their wives very exactly what they heard.

Further, because they supposed this to be an ornament to them, I mean their speaking in public; again he brings round the discourse to the opposite point, saying, For it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church