ORDERLY WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH

Passage: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Key verse: 40

NIV

Good Order in Worship

26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?(A) When you come together, each of you(B) has a hymn,(C) or a word of instruction,(D) a revelation, a tongue(E) or an interpretation.(F) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.(G) 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

29 Two or three prophets(H) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.(I) 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.(J) 33 For God is not a God of disorder(K) but of peace(L)—as in all the congregations(M) of the Lord’s people.(N)

34 Women[a] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,(O) but must be in submission,(P) as the law(Q) says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[b]

36 Or did the word of God(R) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet(S) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,(T) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.(U) 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[c]

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager(V) to prophesy,(W) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly(X) way.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord’s people, 34 women
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:35 In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:38 Some manuscripts But anyone who is ignorant of this will be ignorant
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Orderly Worship

26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has (A)a hymn, (B)a lesson, (C)a revelation, (D)a tongue, or (E)an interpretation. (F)Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in (G)a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others (H)weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, (I)let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of (J)confusion but of peace.

As in (K)all the churches of the saints, 34 (L)the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but (M)should be in submission, as (N)the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 (O)If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, (P)earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 (Q)But all things should be done decently and (R)in order.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, the church may be built up (26-33). Apparently, there were lots of noise and confusion in the Corinthian church due to the disorderly conduct of worship. Hymns, words of instruction, revelations, tongues or their interpretations were not practiced in an orderly way; thus, all these activities of worship neither pleased God nor edified the congregation. Paul gave specific instructions on how to practice tongues and prophecies in an orderly way (27-32). Our spiritual gifts need to be restrained - not used according to however we choose but used in orderly way in our worship to build up the church. When this is done, peace is maintained and the congregation is edified. For God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace.

Second, in a fitting and orderly way (34-4

). Paul’s instruction for women to remain silent in the church doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t speak at all (11:5). Rather, if they had questions or had something to bring up, other than a revelation from God, they should do it at home so as not to hinder the worship service. It teaches us to listen to God’s words carefully and control unnecessary behaviors during worship service. Paul’s instruction about practicing spiritual gifts in a fitting and orderly way came from God and it is binding for all of us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to learn how to worship you in a fitting and orderly way so that our worship may build up the church and be pleasing to you.

One Word: Worship God in a fitting and orderly way