34 Women[1] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

Other Translations of 1 Corinthians 14:34

King James Version

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

English Standard Version

34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

The Message

34 Wives must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening,

New King James Version

34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.

New Living Translation

34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:34

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:34-40

(Read 1 Corinthians 14:34-40)

When the apostle exhorts Christian women to seek information on religious subjects from their husbands at home, it shows that believing families ought to assemble for promoting spiritual knowledge. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear with that which is not hurtful to its welfare, and to keep up good behaviour, order, and decency.