Paul says in I Corinthians 14:34 that women should keep quiet in the meeting, and yet the same author says in Galatians 3:26-29 that we are all the same because of the blood of Christ. What does he mean?

QUESTION: Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:34 that women should keep quiet in the meeting, and yet the same author says in Galatians 3:26-29 that we are all the same because of the blood of Christ. What does he mean?

ANSWER: Galatians 3:26-29 is not discussing functions and roles of men and women in the church or in the worship services of the church. This particular passage is a “salvation” passage and teaches that all, regardless of race, position in life, or gender (sex), can and must be saved under the New Testament system of faith (as opposed to Old Testament law - Galatians 3:23-25) by being baptized into Christ Jesus.

We must be careful not to take a passage out of context, nor read into a passage more than was intended. Those who use this passage to teach that women may take a leading role in the church are in direct conflict with 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12, and many other passages. Such is a sinful mishandling of God’s Word (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19)!