Do women have to be quiet? It’s a very good question for anyone seeking God’s design for women, especially if you’ve heard some Bible verses that say women should be silent. Does it mean that women are better seen and not heard?
Do Women Have To Be Quiet?
The Short Answer
The short answer is no, women do not need to be actually silent and not ever speak. There is no Bible verse that commands this and it cannot be constructed from the whole counsel of the Word like other concepts can.
Do Women Have To Be Quiet?
The Long Answer
The long answer is that there are plenty of times and situations where an astute woman, who seeks to glorify God daily, will choose to be slow to speak, hold her tongue, or don an unassuming demeanor.
In Proverbs alone, (KJV) there are 50 verses that mention the mouth, 19 mention the tongue, and 42 mention the lips. There is a lot to be said about saying!
Here are some examples from this book of wisdom:
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Yet, none of these verses are specific to women only. All believers will benefit from controlling their speech. There are many times a godly woman can and should choose to refrain from speaking or limit her words. At other times, the Holy Spirit will guide her in HOW she is speaking.
Being Quiet in Church
There are two verses people usually reference when talking about women being quiet in church. The first is 1 Tim 2:12 “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence”.
This verse is referring to women not holding a teaching position in the church and that there should be courteous listening when the congregation is learning. This verse does not support women not speaking at all inside of a church building.
Next, the other verse comes from 1 Corinthians chapter 14. Verse 34 says “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.”
In this context, Paul spent multiple chapters outlining the proper use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He knew that this church in particular was very out of line with God’s peace and order in the way that they were using them on a regular basis. He tells this church to have THEIR women to be quiet, to be orderly as God is orderly.
This is not an instruction for women to never use the gifts of the spirit as the Bible says that sons AND daughters will prophesy in the last days, nor is it a command for women to never speak in the church or during a service. This verse, as in Timothy, emphasizes roles and order, not being perfectly silent.
Conclusion
The Bible does not command women to never speak. Certainly we are to be conscientious in our speech, using our tongue wisely for blessing and wisdom, but we need not be literally silent. Regarding church services, women are to remain out of elder and teaching positions and quietly respect the teaching of the Word (the latter applying to all men and women).
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