Women in the Church

Women in the Church

“...women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.  
If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” 
1 Corinthians 14:34,35

If ever there is a hornets nest to be stirred up in the church here’s one.
I have a friend in church that is opposed to women speaking from the pulpit in church. We’ve had some wonderful discussions on the topic and he’s never won me over.
I believe women can speak in church and from the pulpit.
However I found this middle of the road commentary by Kenneth L Barker,
I can’t think of a better way to show both sides of this argument. He writes,
“Some believe that in light of 11:3 there is a God-ordained order that is to be the basis for administration and authority. Women are to be in submission to their husbands both at home (see Eph 5:22) and in the church (see v. 34; 1Ti 2:11–12) regardless of their particular culture. According to this view, a timeless order was established at creation...
Others maintain that Paul’s concern is that the church be strengthened (v. 26) by believers showing respect for others (see vv. 30–31) and for God (see v. 33) as they exercise their spiritual gifts. Such respect must necessarily take account of accepted social practices. If within a particular social order, it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church—and it was in this case (v. 35)—then she shows disrespect by doing so and should remain silent. There were occasions, though—even in this culture—for women to speak in church. For example, in 11:5 Paul assumes that women pray and prophesy in public worship. Thus his purpose, according to this view, was not to define the role of women but to establish a fitting (vv. 34–35) and orderly (vv. 27–31) way of worship (v. 40). 
Still others say that in this context Paul is discussing primarily the disruption of worship by women who become involved in noisy discussions surrounding tongues-speaking and prophecy. Instead of publicly clamoring for explanations, the wives were to discuss matters with their husbands at home (cf. v. 35). Paul does not altogether forbid women to speak in church (see 11:5). What he is forbidding is the disorderly speaking indicated in these verses.”
(Kenneth L. Barker writing  Zondervan NIV Study Bible commentary notes  (Fully Revised): 1 Corinthians. 1795-1796. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1985, 1995, 2002.) 
     I leave it to you dear reader to think about.