Paul, misogyne ou promoteur de l’emancipation feminine?
Etude de 1 Co 11, 2-16
by A. Caldwell
One can wonder how a passage addressing people’s hair or headdress-and as it seems mostly women’s-at prayer meetings can be relevant nowadays. This difficult passage (1 Co 11:2-16) has been read either as a proof of Paul’s sexism or as promoting women’s liberation. The author has tried to read this text rigorously, without any preconceived bias in as much as it is possible, to elucidate the meaning behind its many obscure words and expressions. This rather modest goal required taking into account the whole text, without leaving aside any controversial part, as well as trying to grasp its context and ecclesial dimension. Distinguishing within the text its sections where Paul tries to promote specific practices and those articulating the principles or arguments used to justify them, has revealed two distinct lines of arguments. Those show, as well as Paul’s pastoral stance, his positive attitude towards the role of women.
English summary: One can wonder how a passage addressing people’s hair or headdress–and as it seems mostly women’s–at prayer meetings can be relevant nowadays. This difficult passage (1 Co 11:2-16) has been read either as a proof of Paul’s sexism or as promoting women’s liberation. The author has tried to read this text rigourously, without any preconceived bias in as much as it is possible, to elucidate the meaning behind its many obscure words and expressions. This rather modest goal required taking into account the whole text, without leaving aside any controversial part, as well as trying to grasp its context and ecclesial dimension. Distinguishing within the text its sections where Paul tries to promote specific practices and those articulating the principles or arguments used to justify them, has revealed two distinct lines of arguments. Those show, as well as Paul’s pastoral stance, his positive attitude towards the role of women. French description: On peut s’interroger sur la pertinence aujourd’hui d’un texte qui s’interesse a la tenue lors des assemblees de priere et semble viser surtout les femmes. Le difficile passage de 1 Co 11,2-16 a pu inspirer les deux voies d’interpretation suggerees par le titre : Paul misogyne ou chantre de l’emancipation feminine. L’auteur a voulu lire rigoureusement le texte, sans parti-pris, pour elucider tout ce que les expressions et mots obscurs de ce passage controverse peuvent signifier. Une telle entreprise exigeait de tenir compte de tout le texte sans en occulter quoi que ce soit, tout en tentant de comprendre le contexte et l’enjeu communautaire. Cette etude, qui departage dans le texte les pratiques que Paul cherche a promouvoir et les principes ou arguments qu’il utilise pour les appuyer, permet de discerner deux lignes argumentatives contrastees. Celles-ci revelent l’attitude pastorale de Paul et sa reconnaissance du role de la femme dans le Seigneur.
- By (author) A Caldwell
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