The Missing Quotation Marks: How Ancient Writing Styles Hide Biblical Truth
Imagine reading a book where every quotation mark had been removed. Where sarcasm, arguments, and rebuttals all ran together without any punctuation to guide you. How often would you misunderstand the author's actual position?
This is exactly what we face when reading the New Testament. The original Greek manuscripts had no punctuation marks, no quotation marks, no paragraph breaks—nothing to indicate when an author was quoting someone else or responding to their arguments.
This seemingly small detail has massive implications for how we interpret Scripture, particularly in passages that have been used to restrict women's roles in the church.
The Challenge of Ancient Manuscripts
When translators work with ancient Greek texts, they have to make judgment calls about where sentences begin and end, when someone is being quoted, and when an author shifts from stating a position to refuting it. These decisions shape how we understand the text—and sometimes, they can completely reverse the meaning.
In 1 Corinthians, this issue is particularly important because Paul frequently quotes the Corinthians' own words before responding to them. As he clearly states in chapter 7, verse 1: "Now about the things you wrote to me..." (NIV)
We're essentially reading one side of a correspondence, trying to piece together what the Corinthians wrote based on Paul's responses.
Multiple Examples in 1 Corinthians
Let me give you several examples of how this works throughout 1 Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 6:12-13: "All things are lawful for me"—but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me"—but I will not be dominated by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. (ESV)
Many scholars believe Paul is quoting Corinthian slogans here (the parts in quotes) before correcting their faulty thinking. The Corinthians were apparently using their freedom in Christ to justify immoral behavior.
1 Corinthians 7:1: "Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.'" (ESV)
Here, Paul clearly indicates he's responding to something they wrote. Many scholars believe "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman" was the Corinthians' position, which Paul then addresses with more nuanced teaching about marriage.
1 Corinthians 8:1: "Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that 'all of us possess knowledge.' This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up." (ESV)
Again, Paul appears to be quoting their claim about having knowledge before correcting their prideful attitude.
The Pattern Emerges
Do you see the pattern? Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul:
States a position (often held by the Corinthians)
Responds with "but" or a contrasting statement
Provides his actual teaching
This is exactly what we see in the controversial passage about women being silent.
1 Corinthians 14: The Context
Remember, the entire context of 1 Corinthians 14 is about orderly worship where everyone participates according to their spiritual gifts. Paul says:
"When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation" (v. 26, ESV)
"Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said" (v. 29, ESV)
"For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged" (v. 31, ESV)
The emphasis is on "each one," "all," and orderly participation by everyone.
Then suddenly: "Women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church" (vv. 34-35, ESV).
This creates immediate tension. How can "all" prophesy if women must remain completely silent?
The Scholarly Evidence
Biblical scholar Gilbert Bilezikian explains: "The grammatical structure of verse 36 indicates a sharp break with the preceding statement. The revised standard version has caught the progression of Paul's thoughts as it translates: 'What! Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?'"
The Greek word that begins verse 36 is a particle that expresses strong disagreement or indignation. Recent scholarship has recognized its "disjunctive force"—meaning it strongly opposes what came before.
Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall, a respected New Testament scholar, notes: "This particle functions as an emphatic repudiation of the prohibition statements. It's Paul's way of saying 'Absolutely not!' to what he just quoted."
Multiple Translations Miss It
Here's what's fascinating: many modern translations completely ignore this particle because they don't know what to do with it. It seems to contradict the prohibition statements, so they simply don't translate it at all.
But the King James Version attempts to capture it with "What?" and the Revised Standard Version translates it as "What!" Both recognize that something sharp and oppositional is happening in the text.
The "Law" Problem
Another major clue that Paul is quoting false teachers comes from his reference to "the Law." Paul consistently teaches that believers are free from the law's bondage. In Galatians, he passionately argues against returning to legal requirements.
Yet here, he supposedly tells women to submit "as the Law also says."
The problem? Nowhere in biblical law does it command women to be silent in religious gatherings. Paul, a former Pharisee who knew Scripture intimately, would never misquote the Torah.
The false teachers were likely referencing Talmudic traditions—extrabiblical rules that included restrictions on women speaking in public. These weren't biblical laws at all.
What Paul Actually Believed
When we read 1 Corinthians 14:34-36 as Paul quoting false teachers before rebuking them, everything makes sense:
False teachers quoted (vv. 34-35): "Women should keep silent in the churches... as the Law also says... it is shameful for a woman to speak in church."
Paul's response (v. 36): "What?! Did the word of God originate with you? Are you the only ones it has reached?" (RSV)
Paul's conclusion (vv. 37-40): True prophets will acknowledge that Paul's instructions come from the Lord. Let all things be done decently and in order—including women's participation.
The Implications
If this interpretation is correct—and a growing number of biblical scholars believe it is—then Paul wasn't silencing women at all. He was silencing those who wanted to silence women.
This aligns perfectly with:
Paul's partnership with women like Priscilla in ministry
His recognition of women deacons and apostles
His statement that in Christ, "there is no male and female" (Galatians 3:28, ESV)
The overall message of 1 Corinthians about everyone using their gifts
Why This Matters Today
Understanding how ancient writing worked helps us:
Read Scripture more accurately by recognizing when authors quote opposing views
Avoid misinterpreting passages that seem contradictory or out of character
Appreciate the full context of biblical arguments and responses
Trust that God's character is consistent throughout Scripture
The next time you encounter a passage that seems harsh or contradictory, remember: the missing quotation marks might be hiding a more beautiful truth than you initially saw.
Have you ever discovered that a difficult Bible passage made more sense when you understood its context better? What tools do you use to study Scripture more deeply?
Blessings,
Susan 😊