In a sermon I heard many years ago, the preacher pointed out that Paul was addressing a specific congregation of believers who had had problems with certain women disrupting services in a disorderly manner, and that this was the reason for this statement, and that it wasn't to be taken as a general commandment. He had a lot of background material backing up his position... pity it was so long ago I can't remember it very well.
bingo this is exactly what it was about.
the church at Corinth was having major issues. Corinth being the root word of corrupt.
it was a major port city and it was about as corrupt as things got.
the church there had so many issues that Paul wrote 2 letters to them.
at the writing of this letter and this passage there were many issues and the women of the church were causing more problems. they were introducing pagan rituals and other things into the course of the services. so paul laid down the rules of how people should be conducting themselves.
This is a better view of Paul's view on the situation.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
now before anyone goes off the wall and says well it says subject. The word subject in this context means respect.
a wife should respect her husbands authority as head of the household.
in the opposite husbands are to love their wives that they would be willing to lay down their lives for her.
in proverbs it says that a virtuous women is more valuable than rare gems (better translation).
