Should Women be Subordinated?

 There are questionable Bible teachings that place women as second-class Christians. These teachings are based on carefully selected Bible texts that are supposed to be eternal laws, although other Bible texts give us a completely different perspective.

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. 1 Co 14:34 NKJV

``The law`` obviously refers to the commandments in the OT, but there is no such commandment in the OT.

Some may argue that it could be a reference to Genesis 3:16.

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Ge 3:16 NKJV

‘Rule’ is a harsh word that contradicts the tender love of a Christian husband.
From churches where this verse is understood as God's command, we often hear tragic stories of men who imperiously abuse or violently bully their wives.

To teach this verse as God's command is an ugly inconsistency.
But should we lightly explain away a clear statement from God?
Perhaps this verse can be explained as a curse and punishment for sin, but if so, it should no longer apply in the NT.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us …  Ga 3:13 NKJV

Or one could understand this statement as a prophetic prediction of God, in which God explains how the now corrupted human nature would pervert the ideal partnership between man and woman.

Must all women always remain silent in worship? Do we find this commandment in the law? No.

We find this puzzling statement in 1 Cor 14:34. To understand a quotation correctly, we must carefully examine the context.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head, ...1 Co 11:5 NKJV

In chapter 14 the women are to keep silent and in chapter 11 they are allowed to prophesy.

But then some inventive Bible teachers want to propose an ingenious explanation. The women are allowed to prophesy or pray aloud, but only when the men are absent. But I find no reference in Corinthians to meetings that are only for women. You can also search the whole NT and find no services for women.

But at the very beginning of Acts we find a very authoritative story of how God founded the church. There we see the first Christian service.

The meeting began in the upper room, in the room or hall where Jesus celebrated the Lord's Supper.

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.

When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. …...

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Ac 1:12–14 NIV

Then the Holy Spirit came upon this assembly of men and women with heavenly power.

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, ….

Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Ac 2:1–4 NKJV

Were the women still with them?

Peter answers this question with clear words.

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, …. Ac 2:17 NKJV