26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each
one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all
things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in 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 weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made
to another sitting there, 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 confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women
should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but
should be in submission, as 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 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, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do
not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently
and in order.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Co 14:26–40 ). Wheaton : Standard Bible
Society.
I love this practice of orderly worship. How often do we have multiple people get up
and speak to the truth or errors of what someone else has said? St Paul tells
the people of Corinth
to perform worship in an orderly fashion.
In describing this fashion: one person speaks concerning
some passage of scripture. Then another
gets up and speaks for or against or expanding upon what the first said. If someone else has something to say, the
first sits down and listens as well.
This is done to encourage the brothers.
But there are a couple of things you need to make sure you
keep straight. Women are not supposed to
get up in the assembly and speak. Likewise,
those who do get up and speak need to make sure their testimony agrees with the
Apostles testimony. These are the two
basic rules for orderly worship.
This passage reminds us that St Paul took seriously the issue of wheat
grow up amongst weeds. St Paul reminds us that we need to not only
test what he says, but also test what each other says. There will be many false teachers and false
prophets in our midst. Therefore, we need
to read scriptures repeatedly and study to make sure what we say is true.
Christ has died.
Christ has risen. Christ will
come again.
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