Re: Let the Women be silent

From: Kenneth Litwak (kenneth@sybase.com)
Date: Mon Sep 18 1995 - 14:05:34 EDT


Bruce Terry wrote:

> On the positive side of your question, this statement is within one of the
> sections that is in response to the Corinthians letter, apparently to a
> question about spiritual gifts.
>
f> On the negative side, however, I don't know of anyone who has suggested that
> this clause is a quote from the Corinthians' letter. I give one possible
> reconstruction of that letter on pp. 19-20 of my book. I believe it is Hurd
> (1983) _The origin of 1 Corinthians_ who surveys all the suggested quotes and
> I don't remember than one being one.
>
> I personally doubt it is a quote from their letter because it is not
> introduced nor answered like the other suggested quotes.
>
> Further, as I point out on p. 112 of my book, the section 33b-36 forms a
> conceptual chiasmus:
> A 33b as in all the churches of the saints
> B 34a let the women keep silent in the churches
> C 34b let them be subordinate
> C' 35a let them ask their husbands at home
> B' 35b it is shameful for a woman to speak in church
> A' 36 did the word of God come from you, or arrive to you alone?

 I find this chiastic structure interesting from the perspective that
some, without MS evidence, have argued that 14:34 is an interpolation.
Your analysis would seem to show the verse to be more integral -- no
less problematic -- but clearly integral. Then again, I want to argue
that 1 Cor 11:2-4, at least, is a quote of the Corinthians, since
I'm convinced Paul is arguing for the very opposite of what he is
accused of teaching here.

Ken Litwak
GTU
Bezerkley, CA



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