1 Corinthians 14:26-40
Let All Things Be Done Properly
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
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 says women should remain silent in the churches and ask their own husbands at home. This instruction sits beside his earlier assumption that women pray and prophesy, and its exact situation and application have been debated. It must not be used to silence women universally or justify humiliation, coercion, or abuse.
Paul concludes that everything should be done properly and in an orderly way. Order should protect gifts, discernment, learning, peace, and people who might otherwise be overrun by the loudest voice.
Questions
1 What may different people bring to the gathering?
AnswerPeople may bring hymns, teachings, revelations, tongues, or interpretations, provided everything builds up the church.
2 What limits does Paul give for tongues and prophecy?
AnswerTongues require interpretation and should be limited, while prophets speak in turn and the others weigh what they hear.
3 What should happen when another person receives a revelation?
AnswerThe first speaker should stop so the others can learn and be encouraged rather than allowing one person to dominate.
4 What should govern the whole gathering?
AnswerThe gathering should be governed by peace, discernment, mutual learning, and order that protects the church's building up.
What This Means for Us
Make room for contribution without surrendering discernment. A healthy gathering welcomes gifts and gives people permission to weigh, question, pause, and stop what is not helping.
Treat order as protection, not domination. Rules that serve the loudest or most powerful person are not the peace Paul describes.
Prayer
God of peace, make our gatherings orderly, open, and safe. Help us welcome gifts, weigh what we hear, and protect the church from both chaos and controlling authority. Amen.