Cheryl Schatz

gengwall,

Thanks for your point of view! The reasons I do not believe that “they” is the whole congregation are:

1. The verses 11 – 15 are a separate section, separated from the previous verses by a change in grammar. Therefore we would look to the plural “they” from within the passage first before we go outside the section.

2. If Paul meant the entire congregation he would have said “you” plural. It was Paul’s habit to differentiate between the insiders and the outsiders. See the example below:

1Co 15:29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
1Co 15:30 Why are we also in danger every hour?

Notice that “we” means Christians and the ones who baptize for the dead are “they” (non-Christians)? When Paul is including the entire congregation, it is his habit to say “we” or “you” (if he is not there) but not “they”.

3. Why is her salvation dependent on what the entire congregation does? (More on this point will be woven into the next interview when we head back to Genesis with the Apostle Paul). I think I will be able to give you enough information with the next post to give a strong defense of why the husband is key to her salvation. If “Paul” doesn’t convince you, that’s okay. It isn’t a point of division but it is a point that will tie all things together. When the package is sewed up, we will let you loose to unravel it if you would like 🙂