1 Corinthians 14:35
What does 1 Corinthians 14:35 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 14:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 14:35 means
Paul continues by directing that if women desire to learn, they should ask their husbands at home, for public speaking of this kind is shameful in the assembly. The concern is decorum and order, not the suppression of genuine growth in understanding. Questions and instruction are commended, but their time and place matter. By removing disruptive inquiry from the public meeting, Paul preserves the environment for edification of all. He upholds a pattern of submission and peace in worship, guarding the church’s witness and unity. The instruction assumes eager learning while insisting it be pursued in a way that honors the gathered body’s structure and purpose.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if they have a desire for knowledge about anything, let them put questions to their husbands privately: for talking in the church puts shame on a woman.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if they wish to learn anything, at home their own husbands let them question, for it is a shame to women to speak in an assembly.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if they would learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly.
Context
This verse clarifies the kind of speech Paul seeks to restrain—public questioning in the assembly—directing that learning be pursued in appropriate settings. The next verse will rebuke any Corinthian arrogance that thinks it can set its own rules apart from other churches. The flow ties these specific instructions to the larger themes: God’s peace, universal church practice, and the primacy of edification and order in worship. The aim remains a gathered meeting that is intelligible, dignified, and helpful for all.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
- Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;
- 1 Peter 3:7
Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell withyour wivesaccording to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.
- Ephesians 5:12
for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.
- 1 Corinthians 11:6
For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled.
- 1 Corinthians 14:34
let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.
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