Let a woman learn in quietness. After having spoken of dress, he now adds with what modesty women ought to conduct themselves in the holy assembly. And first he bids them learn quietly; for quietness means silence, that they may not take upon them to speak in public. This he immediately explains more clearly, by forbidding them to teach.

Let the woman learn in silence - Listen attentively to instruction, without attempting to teach in public; see the notes on 1-Corinthians 14:35.
With all subjection - With due subjection to those who are in authority, and who are appointed to minister in holy things; notes, 1-Corinthians 14:34.

Let the woman learn in silence - This is generally supposed to be a prohibition of women's preaching. I have already said what I judge necessary on this subject in the notes on 1-Corinthians 11:5, etc., and 1-Corinthians 14:34 (note), 1-Corinthians 14:35 (note); to which places I beg leave to refer the reader.

Let the woman learn in silence,.... The apostle goes on to give some other instructions to women, how they should behave themselves in public worship, in the church of God; he would have them be learners and not teachers, sit and hear, and learn more of Christ, and of the truth of the Gospel, and to maintain good works; and he would have them learn in silence, and not offer to rise and speak, under a pretence of having a word from the Lord, or of being under an impulse of the Spirit of the Lord, as some frantic women have done; and if they should meet with anything, under the ministry of the word, they did not understand, or they had an objection to, they were not to speak in public, but ask their own husbands at home; see 1-Corinthians 14:34. And thus, they were to behave
with all subjection; both to the ministers of the word, and to their own husbands; obeying from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to them; and submitting cheerfully to the ordinances of Christ; the whole of which is a professed subjection to the Gospel, and which becomes all professing godliness.

learn--not "teach" (1-Timothy 2:12; 1-Corinthians 14:34). She should not even put questions in the public assembly (1-Corinthians 14:35).
with all subjection--not "usurping authority" (1-Timothy 2:12). She might teach, but not in public (Acts 18:26). Paul probably wrote this Epistle from Corinth, where the precept (1-Corinthians 14:34) was in force.

Let the women learn in silence. In the public worship on the Gentile churches the teaching was confined to the men. For a discussion of the reasons, see notes on 1-Corinthians 14:33-36, where the same directions are given.
With all subjection. Submission to the authorized teachers of the church.
I suffer not a woman to teach. To become an authorized teacher of the church, a work confined to the presbyters.
Nor to usurp authority. Authoritative teaching and ruling were united.
Some reasons drawn from the story of man in Eden are given for these rules. It will be seen that Paul regards these events as shadowing forth spiritual lessons.
Adam was first formed. Man came in order before woman.
And Adam was not deceived. It was man who was first created, but woman who first led into the transgression. For these reasons a burden was laid on women which is spoken of in the next verse.
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing. Rather, through childbearing. Work was laid upon the fallen man; the pains of childbearing on the fallen woman. The apostle means here, that women will be saved in the line of their duties, and that those duties are domestic rather than public. There surely is no recommendation of the celibacy of monasticism. Possibly, too, another thought still may be alluded to. The first woman was assured that her seed should bruise the serpent's head. It was woman's glory that one of her sex was chosen to be the mother of our Lord. Thus through childbearing the Savior of all men comes into the world.
If they continue. Domestic duties will not save unless to these are added the graces of a holy life.