It is common knowledge amongst Biblical scholars that early Christian scribes altered the original autographs of the New Testament text. A number of these scribal alterations had an impact upon later Christian belief, some of which still resonate today.
Role of Women in the Church
For many Christian traditions, women are prevented from taking leadership roles. They are prevented from becoming priests, pastors, ministers, in effect leaders of parishes and congregations.
One passage usually cited is found in the Pauline letter 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. The passage reads, “Women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”
This passage clearly states that women should remain silent in church. This Corinthian passage has been used as a proof text to prevent women playing an active role within the church.
Interestingly, a number of scholars doubt that these words stem from the apostle Paul. Such scholars claim that these words were added by a later scribe. There are two types of evidences that are important for determining the authenticity of a text. These are external and internal evidences.
External Evidence on Biblical Texts
External evidence is that evidence which appeals to the surviving manuscripts.
A number of important surviving manuscripts support the verses in question. Manuscripts such as the fourth century manuscripts Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus and the fifth century manuscript Codex Alexandrinus. For many, this has been enough to suggest that 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is, in fact, authentic.
Manuscripts that omit these verses include the fifth century manuscript Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis and the much later ninth century manuscripts Codex Boreelianus and Codex Seidelianus.
Despite the fact that the most reliable Greek manuscripts include these verses, this alone is not enough. As has been noted by Biblical text critical scholar Kurt Aland, “Only the reading which best satisfies the requirements of both external and internal criteria can be original.”
It is the internal evidence which convinces some scholars that the Corinthian verses should be omitted.
Internal Evidence on Corinthians
Internal evidence takes into consideration the author's style. In this case the style of the apostle Paul in his letter called 1 Corinthians.
A number of scholars argue that verses 34-35 do not fit the immediate context of the Corinthian letter comfortably. In 1 Corinthians 14 guidelines are given for prophecy and tongues. By verse 26 Paul writes on how prophecy and tongues are to be manifested in an orderly way. However, by verse 34 the role of women, a new topic altogether, is introduced. Then verse 36 there is a resumption to the original topic of prophecy and tongues.
In addition, one would imagine that in the summary found in verses 39-40 the role of women would be mentioned, but none exists. Verse 39 says, “So my friends, be eager to prophesy and not forbid speaking in tongues.” There is no mention of women! As the Biblical scholar Bart Ehrman notes, “If one removes verses 34-35 from their context, the passage seems to flow seamlessly as a discussion of the role of Christian prophets.”
Another important internal observation is the relationship of verses 34-35 with 1 Corinthians 11. In chapter 11 women are given instruction on how to speak in the churches. Nothing indicates that they should be silenced. This seems to contradict 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.
Defining Roles of Men and Women in the Church
For a number of scholars internal evidence is enough. It is argued that what is seen here is an example of a historical situation where the church was defining the roles of women and men. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 signifies the occasion where the church was entering a period which strongly defined the male character of the church.
For other scholars, the weight of the codices Vaticanus, Sinaiticus and Alexandrinus is overwhelming. For these scholars verses 34-35 are original.
Yet there are another group of scholars which argue that one can never really know which is original. But this last position opens up a new can of worms and needs a separate hearing.
Sources:
- Aland, K. and B. Aland. The Text of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.
- Ehrman, B. D. Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. New York: Harper San Francisco, 2005.
- NRSV Bible.
Joe Capuana - Joe Capuana is married and works as a secondary school teacher in the area of Religious Education and Music, specialising in the classical ...
