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Chloe, a woman mentioned in I Corinthians, was not the Silent Woman favored by conservative pastors.
I & II Corinthians are a pair of New Testament books of great theological importance. They are placed in the NT just after Romans, partly because of their length. I & II Corinthians are frequently quoted, extensively studied by theologians and in Bible study. First Corinthians alone contains Paul's thoughts on Christian marriage (Chapter 7), on raising money (Chapter 16), a description of the Lord's Supper (Chapter 11), the only example in the NT of a person being excommunicated or disfellowshipped (Chapter 5), an amazing section on spiritual gifts (Chapter 12) and the fabulous section on love (Chapter 13).
How did these letters come to be written? A woman named Chloe wrote to Paul about problems in the church at Corinth. Chloe was assisted by others in her family, and perhaps friends, but she composed the letter to Paul. We can surmise that Chloe was of at least middle age, and most likely had sons and daughters, and probably daughters-in-law and sons-in-law.
11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
--I Corinthians 1:11 NIV
11 For it has been reported to me by Chlo′e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren.
--I Corinthians 1:11 RSV
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
--I Corinthians 1:11 KJV
Scholars say that Paul wrote four letters to the Corinthians, which have been consolidated into the two that we have. Paul went to Corinth at least twice and perhaps three times. Timothy and Titus were sent to Corinth, at different times, to deal with the situation there.
If Chloe had been inclined to leave matters of Christian teaching and church discipline to the pastor, if there was one, or the Bishop, if there was one, or to male elders, she would not have written to Paul with her concerns. Paul did not reject her letter because she was a woman or for any other reason, he regarded Chloe and her family and friends as credible witnesses. If Chloe had confined herself to cooking, sewing, cleaning house and raising children, she would not have written to Paul and we would not have the Corinthian letters today.
It looks like Chloe's letter to Paul set in motion a whole series of events. Paul wound up writing four letters to the Corinthians, making a second personal visit, and possibly a third, and sending Timothy and Titus at different times. If Chloe had not written to Paul, today's Christians would not have the letters of I & II Corinthians in our Bible. We are better off today because Chloe was not the Silent Woman.
I & II Corinthians are a pair of New Testament books of great theological importance. They are placed in the NT just after Romans, partly because of their length. I & II Corinthians are frequently quoted, extensively studied by theologians and in Bible study. First Corinthians alone contains Paul's thoughts on Christian marriage (Chapter 7), on raising money (Chapter 16), a description of the Lord's Supper (Chapter 11), the only example in the NT of a person being excommunicated or disfellowshipped (Chapter 5), an amazing section on spiritual gifts (Chapter 12) and the fabulous section on love (Chapter 13).
How did these letters come to be written? A woman named Chloe wrote to Paul about problems in the church at Corinth. Chloe was assisted by others in her family, and perhaps friends, but she composed the letter to Paul. We can surmise that Chloe was of at least middle age, and most likely had sons and daughters, and probably daughters-in-law and sons-in-law.
11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
--I Corinthians 1:11 NIV
11 For it has been reported to me by Chlo′e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren.
--I Corinthians 1:11 RSV
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
--I Corinthians 1:11 KJV
Scholars say that Paul wrote four letters to the Corinthians, which have been consolidated into the two that we have. Paul went to Corinth at least twice and perhaps three times. Timothy and Titus were sent to Corinth, at different times, to deal with the situation there.
If Chloe had been inclined to leave matters of Christian teaching and church discipline to the pastor, if there was one, or the Bishop, if there was one, or to male elders, she would not have written to Paul with her concerns. Paul did not reject her letter because she was a woman or for any other reason, he regarded Chloe and her family and friends as credible witnesses. If Chloe had confined herself to cooking, sewing, cleaning house and raising children, she would not have written to Paul and we would not have the Corinthian letters today.
It looks like Chloe's letter to Paul set in motion a whole series of events. Paul wound up writing four letters to the Corinthians, making a second personal visit, and possibly a third, and sending Timothy and Titus at different times. If Chloe had not written to Paul, today's Christians would not have the letters of I & II Corinthians in our Bible. We are better off today because Chloe was not the Silent Woman.