does context split table cells like Word (sorry for that ;-)) would do? 
(Please see the attached pdf examples). The table_test was generated 
with 

\starttext

\bTABLE[split=yes]

\setupTABLE[frame=off]

\setupTABLE[column][1][width=3.5cm]

\setupTABLE[column][2][width=11cm]

\dorecurse{3}{\bTR \bTD xxx \eTD \bTD \input knuth \eTD \eTR}

\eTABLE

\stoptext

kind regards

Erik