First Corinthians 14:26-33
Church Assemblies Must Be Orderly and Edifying
Brian R. Kenyon

In this section of First Corinthians 14, Paul shows that no matter what miraculous gift was being used, it must be used in an orderly manner to the edifying of the church. Paul again teaches the superiority of prophesying over speaking in tongues. Tongue speakers must have an interpreter to provide the meaning of what was being said, whereas prophets were encouraged to prophesy in succession. Tongue speakers without interpreters provided no blessings to the church, whereas prophets provided instruction and encouragement.

Edifying the Church Was the Goal

In one of our earliest glimpses into a first century church assembly setting, Paul writes, "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" (1 Cor. 14:26). Each person possessing a miraculous gift was to make sure that he used it appropriately. "Every one [each, NKJ] of you" refers to each one who had a gift, not that every member of the church had one. "Psalm [hymn, ESV]" refers to a psalm (usually an Old Testament psalm), or a hymn of praise (cf. 1 Cor. 14:15). This seems to indicate that there were those in the first century who taught inspired truth through a song. This, of course, is not to be confused with some today who want to entertain by singing a solo. "Doctrine [teaching, NKJ; lesson; ESV]" refers to teaching, or to that which is taught (cf. 1 Cor. 14:6; Rom. 6:17). "Tongue...revelation...interpretation" were other forms of inspired communication (cf. 1 Cor. 12:8-10, 28-30). The Corinthians were not to use their miraculous gifts to show off or divide the church, but to edify.

Speaking in Tongues Was Regulated

Speaking in tongues was to be presented in an orderly manner: "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" (1 Cor. 14:27). "By course [each in turn, NKJ]" indicates that the "two" or "three" to speak were not to speak at the same time (cf. 1 Cor. 14:23), but each was to take his turn one after the other. Paul continues, "But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God" (1 Cor. 14:28). If no interpreter was present, tongue speakers were to keep silent. This again shows that tongues were real languages and that God's word must be communicated in language that the assembly can understand. "Keep silence" means to keep quiet concerning speaking in tongues. It is the same word used later in reference to women (1 Cor. 14:34). This instruction for the tongue speaker to keep silent shows that one could control his gift of speaking in tongues, which of course, is contrary to so-called tongue speakers today who claim the Holy Spirit comes over them and they cannot help but to speak in what they call "tongues." If there was no interpreter present in Corinth, the tongue speaker was to speak silently "to himself and to God" (cf. 1 Sam. 1:13).

Prophesying Was Regulated

Prophets were to speak in an orderly manner: "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge" (1 Cor. 14:29). They were only to speak two or three at a time. "Judge [discern, ASV; pass judgment, NAS]" means to evaluate, judge; recognize, discern (found again in 1 Cor. 6:5; 11:29, 31). It is unclear to whom the "other" refers. It may refer to those who had the gift of discerning spirits (1 Cor. 12:10), or it may refer to the members of the congregation (cf. Acts 17:11; 1 Thes. 5:21). Whatever the case, what the prophet says must be evaluated (cf. 1 Jn. 4:1).

The purpose for this orderliness is so that all may be encouraged: "If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted" (1 Cor. 14:30-31). When one sitting by receives a revelation, he must be given the opportunity to speak immediately. This "fresh revelation" was probably not new subject matter, but was given to "indicate authoritatively that the first revelation had been sufficiently explained."1 "Hold his peace" is from the same Greek word translated "keep silence" (1 Cor. 14:28, 34). Eventually, all the prophets would get their opportunity to speak. "One by one" shows that even prophesying was to be done in an orderly manner (cf. 1 Cor. 14:27, 29). To "learn" and "be comforted [encouraged, NKJ; exhorted, NAS]" is the goal of communicating God's word (cf. 1 Cor. 14:5, 12). Paul continues, "And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Cor. 14:32). "Spirits" here refer to the human spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 14:14), and "subject" indicates that, like the tongue speakers, the prophets were able to control their miraculous gift until the appropriate time.

Assemblies of the Church Must Reflect the God that Is in Them

Paul closes this section by reminding us that "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:32). Two truths are here affirmed of God. First, He is not a God of disorder. "Confusion" is from a Greek word that means disorder; insurrection (2 Cor. 6:5; 12:20). "God has not changed, and hysteria and frenzy, though they may exist in his churches as they may have done in Corinth, are not from him, nor according to his will."2 Second, God is a God of peace (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:20). The way the Corinthians were carrying on with their use of miraculous spiritual gifts was anything but promoting peace within the church. May we realize that when we meet together as the church, God wants us to learn His word and be encouraged by it. This cannot be done unless everything is done "decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40). May we do all in our power to bring glory to God in our assembling together.

End Notes

1 J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton, Standard Bible Commentary: Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, n. d.) 142.

2 McGarvey and Pendleton 142.