Last week, I shared this message and this graphic on my Facebook page. “This is a page from Debi Pearl’s book ‘Created to Be His Help Meet.’ ALL women’s Bible studies should consist of older, godly women teaching young women the doctrines of Biblical Womanhood listed on this page. Do you realize how much stronger marriages in the churches would be? How much more loved, disciplined, and trained children would be? How much more young women would enjoy homemaking and being content as keepers at home? The women in the churches would be a powerful example of God’s beautiful ways to a wicked, sinful world; like lights shining in the darkness.”

The questions that came up the most that day were “What does shorn mean?” and “What does it mean that women have to be quiet in the churches?” Since it seems most women don’t know what these mean, I will explain them to you. All of these commands that Debi Pearl wrote out are in the KJV of the Bible directed towards women.

“For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered” (1 Corinthians 11:6). This verse simply means that women are not to shave their heads or cut their hair very short as men do. God wants a clear distinction between men and women. A few verses later, we are told this: “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

Women then asked me what constitutes long hair. God doesn’t give an exact length, so neither will I. I have friends that can’t grow their hair below their shoulders. I have other godly friends who wear their hair short, but it is beautiful and feminine. NO man wears their hair like they do! God wants distinctions between men and women. This is what our culture is rebelling against it. They rebel against all of God’s ways.

Concerning women being silent in the churches, I have written about this often but here are the verses about this.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” (1 Timothy 2:11-14)

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 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. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:33-37)

Women are to be in silence with all subjection. They aren’t to teach men nor be in authority over them BUT TO BE IN SILENCE. Then we are told why. Adam was created first. Men are to be the ones in authority. Eve was deceived. Women are more easily deceived. Who was this written to? To “all churches of the saints.” Again in 1 Corinthians 14, we are told that women are to keep silent in the churches, it’s not permitted for them to speak, and if they have a question, they are to ask their husbands at home. Paul then confirms that “the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” He’s very clear!

Yes, women can sing in the churches. If the pastor has a congregational reading of the Scripture, they can join in. Some churches have women give a short testimony before they are baptized. Some do not. But the clear teachings of God’s Word are that women are to be silent in the churches. All leadership positions should be men, including all elders, deacons, pastors, preachers, and ministers.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12