[Not original copy]

Thank you very much for your good letter and for the time I spent in your home from January 12-13. We had a meeting in the evening, and your mother testified about God. It was good to hear her.

“Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.” 1 Cor. 14:34. The same apostle tells us that every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head. 1 Cor. 11:5. He writes further that the one who prophesies edifies the church and speaks edification, exhortation, and comfort to men. 1 Cor. 14:3-4.

I have to assume that the words “keep silent” mean to keep silent when it comes to unprofitable questions, old wives’ tales, wanting to instruct and teach men, and all rebelliousness.

Prophesying is permitted, because that is to speak in an orderly way in the leading of the Spirit—that Spirit which inspires both men and women to speak those things that are fitting.

We see that this proves to be true in practice, for often women testify in the leading of the Spirit unto great edification; and when the Spirit witnesses to it, surely we can’t oppose it.

It would be extremely oppressive if we were to prohibit women from praying or prophesying (testifying) in the church, which even the Scriptures do not prohibit them from doing. Personally, I have never received authority from God to do that. But in cases where a woman has been rebellious, I have urged her to be silent, which is what the Scriptures also require.

Outside of church gatherings, there is no requirement that women are to keep silent, and I don’t believe that we have the right to require that either. If a woman speaks to people “outside” the church, that must be considered a work of “drawing” to the Son. God uses all manner of things for this work, such as church bells, spiritual songs and music, the death of a loved one, and many other things. So I don’t believe He has excluded women from this type of work, which must be characterized as the Father’s drawing to the Son as opposed to the Son’s work. It is in the Son’s work—within the church—that the distinction between man and woman is relevant.

Paul had Priscilla and Aquila as his co-workers. Rom. 16:3. Tryphena and Tryphosa were workers in the Lord. Rom. 16:12.

God’s Spirit bears witness that the words “keep silent” are written in the context of “being submissive.”

I have not changed my opinion in this matter, neither have I intended to exalt the woman over the man or above her measure. But for the sake of righteousness, I will also work so that women receive the rights which belong to them according to the spirit of the Scriptures. Women with a submissive attitude could be Paul’s fellow workers. If they could be his fellow workers, surely they can be co-workers in our day as well.

In these matters, the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. It would be of little joy or profit for a man to have a wife who never says anything. On the other hand, it is of great joy and profit to have a wife who is submissive in all her speech and conduct, just as Sarah was in submission to Abraham and called him “lord.” It is the same with Christ and the church and the image it gives us of the church, which consists of men and women.

Whoever believes that he is a prophet or that he is spiritual will understand this commandment of the Lord. But if anyone does not understand it, then he must simply let it be, as Paul writes.

I’ve spoken with Br. Thorleif Hansen in Oslo about these things, and he has the same understanding. In every place, we ought to work together in the same direction and have the same practices and guidelines among us. If God enlightens us further in the future, we will be thankful for that, and I am certain that whatever He reveals will not run counter to the understanding we currently have of this matter.

I would like this to be read by several brothers who bear responsibility for local churches.

Br. Hågensen and I can now rejoice together on board when we have conversations about the word of God, which has been entrusted to us.

May Christ be honored and highly exalted, to the glory of the Father.

Greetings in the love of Christ.

Your brother,