In our Tour of 1 Corinthians, we continued our conversation by centering on a very difficult passage.  

In the context, we see lots of participation in the church gatherings. They were not like ours with one person up front and everyone sitting in rows.   

Both men and women, and several of them, are praying and prophesying during their gatherings.   

 "But every woman who prays or prophesies...
(1 Corinthians 11:5 NIV)

 
Everyone should participate in the church. We also see that there is no difference between men and women in the gifts or use of gifts. So when we see this passage where Paul asks only one group to be silent, we need to take a closer look.

Paul told two other groups to be silent (same Greek construction):
1) those who prophecy (wait their turn)
2) tongues-speakers (silent unless an interpreter)
3) women

It's easy to understand why Paul called out the prophets & tongue-speakers... But something was happening for Paul to call women out in this way.   

Why not listen again to some reasons that Paul might have made this strong statement to the Corinthian church.