THE PLACE OF WOMEN IN THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH: A THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON 1 CORINTHIANS 14:26-40

Résumé

This paper is motivated by the treatment being given to women in the church. Second class status has often been the lot of women in Judaism which has also crept into Christianity. It is, however, complicating when the New Testament gives evidence of texts that describe women as active participants in Christian ministry and the same time advocate the complete silence of women in ministry. This paper is provoked by Paul’s injunction in 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 which has been used today in some religious circles to relegate women to the background. This study examines the intention of the writer of the text (1 Cor. 14:26-40). The hermeneutical approach is adopted to interpret 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 and apply the perspectives on the place of women in the Church. The findings reveal that the text has been used to prop up restrictive measures on women’s full participation in the ministry of the Church. The study reveals that the text is centered on Paul’s argument against disorderliness in the Church. Paul is more concerned that order and propriety be preserved in the worship assembly. This text is not a blanket prohibition on women generally rather the text should be understood in its proper context. Therefore this may not be taken as a status quo for a contemporary church without any similar situation. This work recommends that adequate opportunity be given to women to exercise their spiritual gifts.