Order in worship — Faves of Dave - Bible Study

1Cor. 14:26 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 I read this segment of 1 Corinthians 14, I must admit that I don’t have a clue whether Paul is serious or perhaps using sarcasm in the first part of verse 26. If we take it as a factual description of their meetings of worship, this would probably freak me out if I were present. With non-stop switching from one person singing a hymn to the next speaking in tongues, followed by a lesson, and so forth, this sounds more like a poorly planned variety show than Christian worship.

Regardless of Paul’s tone and intent, it seems to me there are two very important statements by Paul that must be understood and received by the Corinthian believers and believers today as well. The first one is at the end of verse 26, “Let all things be done for building up.” What follows is instruction on what that looks it. Strangely enough, it may appear to some as quenching or not following the leading of the Spirit. Paul says that only “two or at the most three” should speak in tongues, and there must be an interpreter. Otherwise, the one speaking should manifest their gift quietly or privately to God. (vv. 27-28)

The same is true for the one prophesying. Paul instructs to use some self-restraint or control. Why? “So that all may learn and all be encouraged.” (v. 31b) Paul explains in verse 32, “the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets.” I believe this means the gifts of the believers, which are being led by the Holy Spirit, are to not be unbridled and driven by emotion and feeling but manifested under control through wisdom and an interest for everyone present to be edified.

The second important statement Paul makes is found in verse 33. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” Why is this so important to us today? We can get excited and caught up in the emotion of what God is doing in and through our lives. That’s good! We should be excited about that. However, if we aren’t careful, God’s blessing to us can quickly become all about us. That is not good. When God told Abraham how He was going to bless Abraham, He also told Abraham that he would be a blessing to others. Likewise, as the Holy Spirit distributes gifts to us, they are intended by God for us to use to bless and edify others.

God communicates clearly, and we should not confuse God’s message to the world through disorder and emotional chaos. We must prayerfully seek discernment and how we should build up others with what the Lord has given us.