Bethel Sunday School Online 13 SEPT 2020
Text: 1 Corinthians 14:34

ADDRESSING DIFFICULT PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH

1. How Paul addressed problems

a. With the authority of the Word of God

b. With wisdom and understanding

c. With gentle and yet firm admonitions

2. The problem of women speaking in the Church (1 Corinthians 14:34 – 35)

a. This is not a reference to speaking in general

b. This is a reference to speaking in the capacity of the pastoral office

c. Strong words of admonition from the Apostle Paul on this matter
(Cf. 1 Timothy 2:11 – 12)

i. They are to keep silent

ii. They are not permitted to speak

iii. They are to practice submission

iv. For a woman to speak in the capacity of a Pastor is considered shameful to Paul

d. “As the law also says”

i. The law as a reference to the Scriptures

ii. The law suggests that the teachers of God’s word holding offices of authority were all male

iii. The priests were males

iv. The OT prophets were males

3. No prohibition with learning (1 Corinthians 14:35)

a. The womenfolk are free to learn

b. They were encouraged to learn from their husbands the word of God

4. The deeper problem

a. Some felt that they knew the word of God well (1 Corinthians 14:36)

i. The word of God obviously did not come originally from them

ii. It certainly did not come specially to them and no one else

b. Some saw themselves as spiritual people (1 Corinthians 14:37a)

i. They thought very highly of themselves

ii. Some thought that they were like the prophets of old

iii. Some felt that they were spiritual people

c. Rejection of correction (1 Corinthians 14:37b)

i. There will be those who will disagree and reject Paul’s teaching

ii. They will not hear from Paul

iii. They will remain ignorant

iv. This set of circumstances caused huge problems in the Church

CLEARING POSSIBLE MISUNDERSTANDINGS

1. Paul considered the Corinthians as his brethren (1 Corinthians 14:39a)

a. Paul was not their enemy

b. Paul is reaching out to them as brethren in Christ!

2. Desiring spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:39b)

a. Paul was not forbidding them to pursue spiritual gifts

b. He encouraged the pursuit of spiritual gifts

c. They have to be properly applied for the glory of God!

3. All things to be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40)

a. This was Paul’s main concern for the Church

b. All things must be done well to bring glory and honor to the name of the Lord!

GREAT CHALLENGES

1. To cultivate a heart of humility to learn and grow spiritually

2. To do all things decently and in order in the Church to honor the Lord