26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 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.
Paul instructs the Corinthian church on proper order when they come together as a congregation. In regards to speaking in tongues, one person should speak and the one who can interpret tongues should then tell the church what is being said. Otherwise, if no one in the church interprets tongues then the person who speaks in tongues should just do speak in tongues to God and himself and not to the entire church.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 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. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
In regards to prophecy, anyone who can prophecy should speak out to the church one at a time so that everyone can hear what is being said. Rather than having several people speak at the same time, so that there is order in their congregation. This goes for both speaking in tongues and prophecy when they are together.
34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law 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.
The women who didn’t understand what was being said in the church should wait until the church service had ended and they could ask their husbands afterwards or at home. This would prevent any disruptions during the service where women would speak amongst themselves at inappropriate times.
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Paul seems to address those in the Corinthian church who may doubt what he is saying. He poses rhetorical questions as if to target those who have prided themselves into thinking that they are ‘the’ church where all Godly things came from. However Paul then challenges their doubts about him by stating that anyone who is a prophet should ask God about what he is saying and then acknowledge whether or not what he has written is truly from God.
Filed under: 1 Corinthians, Apostle Paul, Bible study, Christianity, God, holy spirit, Jesus, New Testament, Scripture
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