Topic: To Avoid Error – Have The Right Interpretation Of
The Scripture (11)
Continued from last episode-
Preamble: There is obvious gross interpretation of the
Scripture as a result of the way and manner the Scripture has been studied and
read. The inappropriate studying and reading of the Scripture has led to wrong
interpretation of the Scripture and that has resulted into wrong application of
what the Scripture says.
Anchor Text:
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?”
Acts 8:30
Text of Interest:
“But ye have not so learned Christ;”
Ephesians 4:20
But in many places such instructions were not applicable
because they have different cultural background. Let’s see one or two verses
as an example:
“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. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their
husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
The question to ask from the verses above is which law?
It is interesting to know that the law here is not taking about the Jewish law
because he was not addressing a Jewish congregation but a Corinthian
congregation and therefore, the law here is a Corinthian cultural law. For a
proper evaluation of this instruction, one should as a matter of fact compare
this epistle written to the Corinthians to other epistles written by this same
author to churches in different countries. Evidence shows that no such
instruction was given to churches in other countries but the women there
were applauded for their immense contributions to the work of the ministry of
Christ. Watch this:
“I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant
of the church which is at Cenchrea. That ye receive her in the Lord, as
becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of
you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla
and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus”
Romans 16:1-3
In the verse above we see a woman being commended by the
same author of first Corinthians and was called a servant of the Church which
means she had ministerial role in the Church and was even sent to another to
Church in Rome to minister. For one to minister he or she must have a speaking
role and when you speak in the Church both men and women are there to listen.
Another woman was mentioned in the verse above, and that is Priscilla and we
understand that this Priscilla was the one who helped to expound the Scriptures
better to Apollos. Priscilla was a woman and she taught a man called Apollos!
Therefore, what really took place in Corinth was that the
women there were saucy and unruly to their husbands even in the Church because
of the gift of the Holy Ghost which they received and probably their husbands
did not receive as much as they have received, hence the uncouth attitude from
them to their husbands. To put things in the proper perspective Apostle Paul
has to use his prerogative and insert that cultural instruction in order to
instill peace and orderliness in the services.
However, as a result of improper digestion of this
instruction from Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth, many churches have
banned their female folks not to teach in the Church, this is wrong. And for
sure, remember one cannot ascertain the truth in error!
To be continued…..
Till I come your way again, keep on basking in the Arena
of Indubitable Truth!
Chukwuemeka
C. Asiegbu
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