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1 Corinthians 14:26-40 Orderly worship 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. |
Margin notes: "Hath a psalm." (14:26) - Means, "Has a song (to sing)." "Hath a doctrine." (14:26) - "Has a lesson (to share)." "Let all things be done unto edifying." (14:26) - "Let everything be done to strengthen you in the Lord" (Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:12). "Let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course." (14:27) - "Let only two, or at the most three people speak in tongues, one at a time." "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge." (14:29) - "Let two or three teachers speak at each service and let the other teachers evaluate." "Let the first hold his peace." (14:30) - Hold his peace so the second one may speak. "Prophesy one by one." (14:31) - "Teach one at a time." Do not talk over each other. "May be comforted." (14:31) - "May be encouraged." "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." (14:32) - "The spirits of the prophets are under the control of the prophets." "Let your women keep silence in the churches." (14:34) - Women were submissive in Paul's time. To prevent conflict, Paul discouraged women from challenging this cultural norm. He feared it would distract from the main purpose of the church, spreading the word of God. Women were highly valued in the early years of Christianity (Romans 16:1-4), and Paul had no problem with women being part of the church (Acts 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 12:12), or worshipping in public (1 Corinthians 11:5). But he also promoted unity to make it easier to witness for Christ. We do not need to conform to all the norms of society, but Christians should avoid offending those they seek to serve. Remember, in lesson 328 (11:2-16), Paul wrote that Christians should adopt the customs of the people they were ministering to as long as they did not conflict with God's truth. To maintain an orderly service, Paul also suggested there were times when men should remain silent (14:28; 14:30). "The law." (14:34) - "The Mosaic Law." "It is a shame for women to speak in the church." (14:35) - This was a tradition carried over from Jewish services where women were forbidden from teaching in the synagogues. "Came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?" (14:36) - "Do you think the word of God came from you, or to only you?" "If any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant." (14:38) - "If anyone disagrees, let them be ignorant." Or, "if anyone ignores this, ignore them." "Covet to prophesy." (14:39) - 'Desire to teach." "Let all things be done decently." (14:40) - "Let everything be done right." |