International Bible Teaching Ministries
Questions to Define Acts of Worship
QUESTION No. 1104: Can you tell me the Greek words for “silence” as used in I Timothy 2:11 and I Corinthians 14:34?
ANSWER: The Greek word for silence in I Timothy 2:10 is “heesuchia.” The English Revised Version of 1885 renders the word "quietness." The admonition concerns the behavior of women in religious assemblies. The word is used in the sense of "silence" in Acts 22:2, with the broader meaning of "quietness" in 2 Thessalonians 3:12.
The Greek word for silence in I Corinthians 14:34 is “sigatoosan.” The same word is used in Verse 28 in reference to the disorder cause by speaking in foreign languages in the worship services of the church. There is no doubt at all as to Paul's meaning here. In church the women are not even allowed to speak (lalein), neither to ask questions.
Within the intent of these passages, a woman is permitted only to vocally engage in congregational singing (Ephesians 5:19) and to say "Amen" with those occupying the room at the giving of thanks (I Corinthians 14:16), doing such decently and in order (I Corinthians 14:40), as she worships in spirit and truth (John 4:24). To this she is limited by the Holy Spirit!
QUESTION No. 1105: What is the difference between “praise” and “worship?”
ANSWER: The Greek word (proskuneoo) translated as worship in the English denotes "an act, or acts, of reverence whether paid to a creature, or to the Creator" (ASV marginal note, Matthew 2:2).
To praise God is to express our admiration and thankfulness in prayer and song in worship (privately and/or collectively) for what He is; what He has done; what He is doing; and what He has promised to do! We do it, because He is most deserving of it! Also many passages teach that it is the right thing to do. See Psalm 148; Luke 19:37; Romans 15:10-11; et al.
Praise toward God then is something that is done in worship, and as we worship. In other words it is an ingredient of Scriptural worship and is not to be considered the totality of worship or a substitute for worship. Further, it is not to be decided by man "how" we are to praise God in worship. All that is done in worship must be in spirit (the right attitude) and in truth (according to His Word), all of which must be directed toward Him and not man (John 4:24). The praise of man toward God is the means by which we express our joy to the Lord. It may, and usually is, expressed in the worship acts of song and prayer, individually or collectively, emanating from the emotions or from the will, but that which is motivated by, and which must be in concert with His will, lest such praise would find itself in violation of the God-focused Scriptural worship that must in spirit and truth.
Some individuals and groups want to praise God with loud and raucous shouts accompanied by cheering and boisterous applause that clearly violates the decency and order demanded by God in worship (I Corinthians 14:40). Sometimes this is engaged in due to ignorance or false teaching. More often it stems from those who themselves are searching to emotionally entertain or be emotionally entertained in worship, having become excessively emotional thereby they mistake it for true worship because it makes them feel good with little regard for what God has asked them to do in worship toward Him.
There is no justification for emotional outbursts within the worship service regardless of what is said or done, when it is said or done, or who said it or did it. The attitude and conduct of the worshiper is to be one of decency and order wherein "all" glory is given to God (I Corinthians 10:31) in spirit and truth. Since we have no biblical authorization to do so, (neither command, example, nor implication) such outbursts of emotion non-Scriptural and clearly in violation of His Word!
Question 1: Can you tell me the Greek words for “silence” as used in I Timothy 2:11 and I Corinthians 14:34?
ANSWER: The Greek word for silence in I Timothy 2:10 is “heesuchia.” The English Revised Version of 1885 renders the word "quietness." The admonition concerns the behavior of women in religious assemblies. The word is used in the sense of "silence" in Acts 22:2, with the broader meaning of "quietness" in 2 Thessalonians 3:12.
The Greek word for silence in I Corinthians 14:34 is “sigatoosan.” The same word is used in Verse 28 in reference to the disorder cause by speaking in foreign languages in the worship services of the church. There is no doubt at all as to Paul's meaning here. In church the women are not even allowed to speak (lalein), neither to ask questions.
Within the intent of these passages, a woman is permitted only to vocally engage in congregational singing (Ephesians 5:19) and to say "Amen" with those occupying the room at the giving of thanks (I Corinthians 14:16), doing such decently and in order (I Corinthians 14:40), as she worships in spirit and truth (John 4:24). To this she is limited by the Holy Spirit!
Question 2: What is the difference between “praise” and “worship?”
ANSWER: The Greek word (proskuneoo) translated as worship in the English denotes "an act, or acts, of reverence whether paid to a creature, or to the Creator" (ASV marginal note, Matthew 2:2).
To praise God is to express our admiration and thankfulness in prayer and song in worship (privately and/or collectively) for what He is; what He has done; what He is doing; and what He has promised to do! We do it, because He is most deserving of it! Also many passages teach that it is the right thing to do. See Psalm 148; Luke 19:37; Romans 15:10-11; et al.
Praise toward God then is something that is done in worship, and as we worship. In other words it is an ingredient of Scriptural worship and is not to be considered the totality of worship or a substitute for worship. Further, it is not to be decided by man "how" we are to praise God in worship. All that is done in worship must be in spirit (the right attitude) and in truth (according to His Word), all of which must be directed toward Him and not man (John 4:24). The praise of man toward God is the means by which we express our joy to the Lord. It may, and usually is, expressed in the worship acts of song and prayer, individually or collectively, emanating from the emotions or from the will, but that which is motivated by, and which must be in concert with His will, lest such praise would find itself in violation of the God-focused Scriptural worship that must in spirit and truth.
Some individuals and groups want to praise God with loud and raucous shouts accompanied by cheering and boisterous applause that clearly violates the decency and order demanded by God in worship (I Corinthians 14:40). Sometimes this is engaged in due to ignorance or false teaching. More often it stems from those who themselves are searching to emotionally entertain or be emotionally entertained in worship, having become excessively emotional thereby they mistake it for true worship because it makes them feel good with little regard for what God has asked them to do in worship toward Him.
There is no justification for emotional outbursts within the worship service regardless of what is said or done, when it is said or done, or who said it or did it. The attitude and conduct of the worshiper is to be one of decency and order wherein "all" glory is given to God (I Corinthians 10:31) in spirit and truth. Since we have no biblical authorization to do so, (neither command, example, nor implication) such outbursts of emotion non-Scriptural and clearly in violation of His Word!