In contrast to abundant evidence of active participation of women in teaching and communal leadership in the Pauline epistles, according to 1 Cor 14,33b–36 women have to remain silent. The article weighs possible explanations for this inconsistency within the epistles of Paul and – based on 1 Tim 2,8–15 – casts light on interpretive reception of Pauline statements. Restrictive regulations concerning the role of women in communities within post-Pauline writings demonstrate the reality shaping power of reception.
