I don't want to beat a "dead horse", but if you want to stick to the "letter of Law" and without consideration of what was happening in the Church of Corinth, then woman are NOT to speak at all during a service. Knowing that the Church at that time, met predominantly in homes and were probably more like what we would consider a Bible Study home group, this would be a "tall order". Mind you, there is no qualification, like "once the Elder begins teaching or preaching" the women need to be quiet, the "letter of the Law" is, NEVER! So, in your church, if you have women singing or praying aloud or speaking out a prayer request, I assume the Elder in charge of order, escorts them out, right? If you are going to stick to the "letter of the Law", in 1Tim. 2:11-15, depending if you believe this is "man and wife" or "men and women" being address, you are for sure going to make the single women get married right?, Because after all, they are "saved in child bearing" and if they "continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety". Remember the "letter of the Law" doesn't allow to separate "saved in childbearing" from the rest of the verse. If you are reading this William, this is what I mean by extending grace and love. Yes, do not let a woman usurp authority from a man thinking they are without restraint in the area of teaching when men are present, YES, women are not to disrupt a service by asking questions or verbally disagreeing with the Elder, but in just about everything else, "extend grace and love" to the women of the Church. I am a little surprised that there was so much opposition. We the Reform part of the Church, in my estimation, take a very extreme view of what I believe are two difficult passages to interpret (at least in my understanding). Hey, such is life. Thanks for the imput, I am done posting on this issue. In Christ love, George
