26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:26-33 KJV)
Order in Church Meetings
In this passage, the apostle reproves the Corinthians for their disorder and seeks to correct and regulate their conduct for the future.
He blames them for the confusion they introduced into their assemblies by showing off their gifts (1 Corinthians 14:26): “When you come together, every one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue,” meaning they were confusing the different parts of worship. While one person was moved to utter a psalm, another had a doctrine or revelation, and they often spoke at the same time without waiting for one another. Such confusion was not edifying. All things in public worship should be done for the building up of the church.
He then corrects their faults and lays down some regulations for their future conduct.
As to speaking in an unknown tongue, he instructs that no more than two or three should speak at a meeting, and that they must do so one after another. This was not to be done unless there was someone to interpret (1 Corinthians 14:27–28). It would be vain for one to speak in a tongue and interpret himself merely to show off. But if another person could interpret, both gifts could be used at once, and the church would be edified. If there was no interpreter, the speaker was to be silent in the church and speak to himself and to God in private. Public worship is for the participation of all, not for private devotions done in a public setting.
As to prophesying, only two or three were to speak at one meeting, and in turn (1 Corinthians 14:29). The others were to examine and judge what was said, to discern whether it was truly from divine inspiration. False prophets could pretend to be inspired, so the true prophets were to test and distinguish what was of God and what was not. But one known to be truly inspired and speaking by the Spirit of God was not to be judged by men.
If another prophet received a revelation while one was speaking, the first was to be silent until the other’s turn (1 Corinthians 14:30). This does not mean the first should immediately stop speaking, for it would be unnatural for one inspired by the Spirit to be interrupted before finishing what God gave him to say. The meaning is that the second should wait his turn until the first had finished. This agrees with what follows: “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31). Thus, each could have the opportunity to speak in an orderly manner.
“The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” (1 Corinthians 14:32). The gifts of the Spirit do not rob a person of reason or self-control. Divine inspiration is calm and orderly, not violent or irrational like the frenzied behavior of pagan priests. A person moved by the Spirit of God can still govern himself and act with decency and order.
The apostle gives reasons for these regulations. They promote the benefit of the church—its instruction, edification, and comfort. The ministry was instituted so that all may learn and be encouraged. Ministers should shape their teaching toward these ends.
He also reminds them that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Therefore, divine inspiration must never throw Christian assemblies into disorder or violate the rules of decency. If several inspired persons spoke at once, confusion would follow, dishonoring God. Worship must be conducted so that no unworthy thoughts of God arise in the minds of onlookers. The God we worship is a God of peace and order, not confusion.
Finally, he adds that such order was observed in all the other churches: “As in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). They followed these rules in exercising their spiritual gifts, proving that the Corinthians could do the same. It would be shameful for them, who abounded more than others in gifts, to be more disorderly than any of them. Though other churches are not our rule, their example in maintaining decency and order should restrain us from breaking these principles.