Woman's Role in the Church

• I Corinthians is one of the simplest of Paul's epistles as to general structure.
• In dealing with the Corinthians' problem, Paul often started with one of the two general phases in his letter:
  • "It is reported..." -- I Corinthians 1:11; 5:1
  • "Now concerning..." -- I Corinthians 7:1,25; 8:1; 12:1; 15:1; 16:1
• His writing pattern often repeats in dealing with the Corinthians' problem and his argument:
  1. He stated the problem first.
  2. He rebuked and questioned the Corinthians' foolish actions.
  3. He straightened them out.

CHURCH DIVISONS (Cont.)

Paul stated the problem first.	I Corinthians 3:1-2 I (Paul) could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not ready for it; and even yet are not ready, for you are still of the flesh.
He rebuked and questioned the Corinthians' foolish actions.	I Corinthians 3:3-5 For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men? For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely men? What then is Apollos? What is Paul?
He straightened them out.	I Corinthians 3:6ff I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. so neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth...

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Paul stated the problem first.	I Corinthians 12:1-16 Now concerning spiritual gifts... For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so its with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...
He questioned the Corinthians.	I Corinthians 12:17-19 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single organ, where would the body be?
He straightened them out.	I Corinthians 12:20-31 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body... Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it...

PROPHECY AND TONGUE

Paul stated the problem first.	I Corinthians 14:34-35 Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
He questioned the Corinthians' actions.	I Corinthians 14:36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?
He rebuked them and straightened them out.	I Corinthians 14:37-40 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment... Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

Does Paul's pattern of writing seem to be repeated in I Corinthians 14:34-40? What do you think? You can send me your comment or feedback through email.

stevechan@earthlink.net

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