Order in God’s House
November 10, 2024
1 Corinthians 14:26-40
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read 1 Corinthians 14:40
1. Verse 40 is the final verse in this chapter. It is the main point Paul is getting to. Why might it be helpful to keep this final verse in mind when reading the rest of the chapter?
Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-28
1. Paul gives us a series of very specific rules to follow in the conducting of the public worship service. While it is important to identify and follow these rules, it is even more important to understand “the why” behind the rules. What specific instructions does Paul give? Discuss “the why” behind those rules.
2. Where in these verses does Paul once more reinforce the overall purpose of all the spiritual gifts?
Read 1 Corinthians 14:29-33
1. Another rule is given, this time about how many people speak and in what order. Discuss “the why.”
2. What insights do you gain from verse 32? How does this provide some guardrails for the practice of prophecy in a worship service?
Read 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
1. This is a very controversial passage, and it presents some challenging interpretational issues. Click to read an article at: Crosswalk.com It has a section titled “So Why Does Paul Tell Women to Be Silent In Church.” Do you find the ideas there helpful in understanding this passage? Why or why not?
Read 1 Corinthians 14:36-38
1. This aside by Paul suggests that the Corinthian church included at least some people who were simply going to ‘do their own thing’ no matter what anybody said and no matter what instructions Paul gave. Why do you think Paul found it important to address this group directly?
2. Tell about a time you decided to ‘do your own thing’ in defiance of godly instruction not to. How did that work out?
3. Why do you think Americans in general are so averse to the idea of submitting to somebody else’s authority? Do American Christians struggle in the same way with submitting to spiritual authority?
Read 1 Corinthians 14:39-40
1. How do these two verses bring this entire discussion to a clear, distinct finishing point?