What did ancient Jewish teaching call a plague of Israel regarding women?
Ancient Jewish teaching labeled a talkative widow, or a virgin who wasted her time in prayer, as a plague of Israel. This reflected the attitude of that day, though Paul's doctrine opened freedom to women and Christianity set womanhood free.
Les explains that ancient Jewish tradition called a talkative widow, or a virgin who wasted her time in prayer, a plague of Israel. He says we would never dream of saying that today, but that was the attitude. He insists Paul should not be accused of being anti-feminist; Paul's doctrine opened up freedom to women, and Christianity set womanhood free. Les also points to Middle Eastern culture: an unveiled woman is open to verbal abuse, snide remarks, and even attack, while a veiled woman is not to be touched. Therefore the Corinthians had to be careful how they handled the situation lest the world misinterpret it.