The book of Acts mentions the fact that Phillip the evangelist had four virgin daughters, “which did prophesy.”

Act 21:9 And the same man [ Phillip] had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

In 1Co 11, Paul tells us that women can and do prophesy:

1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

While the outward subject of these verses is the proper length of the hair on the heads of men and of women, the underlying message and the real point is that just as men are to show their submission to Christ by their obedience to Him, even so are women to ‘submit themselves unto their husbands as unto Christ.’

Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

The ‘as’ and the ‘so’ of this verse will never be politically correct, but it is scripturally correct. This message is the very subject of 1Co 11, as revealed in the first seven verses:

1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1Co 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

1Co 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Chris t; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

1Co 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

1Co 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

The reason given for the man not covering his head is that “he is the image and glory of God.” The reason given for why the woman is to cover her head with longer hair is, “but the woman is the glory of the man.”

So although women cannot teach men, they can prophesy. To whom then do they ‘prophesy?’

Paul, under inspiration of God’s spirit has given these Corinthians written ordinances (The Greek for ‘ordinances,’ carries with it the thought of being written down) regarding what is necessary to maintain order in the house and temple of God, ‘Whose Temple we all are.’