1 Corinthians 14:26-40
Let All Things Be Done Properly
Read the passage
26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
34Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.
36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul asks what should happen when the Corinthians come together. Each person may have a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. The variety is not the problem. Everything must be done to build up the church.
Two or at most three should speak in a tongue, one at a time, and someone must interpret. Without an interpreter, the speaker should remain silent in the church. Prophets should speak in turn, and the others should weigh what is said. If another receives a revelation, the first speaker should stop so all may learn and be encouraged.
The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets, so spiritual inspiration does not excuse disorder or remove self-control. God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
Paul also directs women to be silent, to be in submission and to ask their own husbands at home. In chapter 11 he has spoken of women praying and prophesying. Christians differ over how these passages fit together and which kinds of speech Paul is restricting here. We should study both carefully: neither the difficulty nor the earlier passage makes this instruction disposable. Submission in worship never gives anyone permission to humiliate or abuse another person.
Paul asks whether God's word began with Corinth or reached them alone. Anyone claiming to be spiritual must recognize what he writes as the Lord's command. They should desire prophecy and not forbid tongues, while doing everything properly and in order. Their gifts place them under the Lord's authority, not above it.
Questions
1 What purpose should govern every contribution to the gathering?
AnswerA psalm, teaching, revelation, tongue or interpretation must build up the church rather than display the speaker's importance.
2 What limits does Paul give for tongues and prophecy?
AnswerTongues require interpretation and turns; prophets also speak in turn, and others must weigh carefully what they say.
3 What does Paul instruct women to do in these verses?
AnswerHe directs them to be silent and in submission, asking their own husbands at home; this requires careful study alongside chapter 11.
4 Whose authority must a person claiming to be spiritual recognize?
AnswerThat person must acknowledge Paul's written instruction as the Lord's command, rather than treating Corinth as the source of God's word.
What This Means for Us
When someone claims to speak for God, a confident voice is not enough. Listen carefully and weigh the teaching by Scripture. The person speaking is accountable to the Lord along with everyone listening.
Discuss difficult instructions with your church rather than dismissing them or using them to win an argument. Worship should give others room to learn, and our contributions should help them follow Christ.
Prayer
God of peace, bring our worship under Your authority. Give those who speak humility, those who listen discernment, and our whole church a desire to obey Your word together. Amen.