1 Corinthians 14:26-33 (WEL) So how is it, brethren, when you come together, everyone has a psalm, teaching, unknown language, a revelation, or interpretation? Let everything be for edifying. 27 If anyone speaks in an unknown language, let it be by two or at most three and then in order; also, someone must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, then he must be quiet in the meeting. Let him speak to himself and God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 If something is revealed to another sitting near, let the first stop talking. 31 For you all can prophesy one after another, so that all may learn and may all be encouraged. 32 The spirits of the prophets are under the control of the prophets. 33 For God is not the God]of confusion but of peace, as in all congregations of the saints.
V26 So how is it, brethren, when you come together, everyone has a psalm, teaching, unknown language, a revelation, or interpretation? Let everything be for edifying.
Since so many wanted to share what they have learned, Paul needs to emphasize order in church.
V27 If anyone speaks in an unknown language, let it be by two or at most three and then in order; also, someone must interpret.
This is a restriction. The first restriction is that only 2 or 3 are allowed to speak, not anyone and everyone. The second is If there are no interpreters, then be silent.
V28 But if there is no interpreter, then he must be quiet in the meeting. Let him speak to himself and God.
Just rejoice in yourself. People do have, or at least are supposed to have, self-control. There is still personal edifying.
V29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
Second rule of order: if one is a prophet, then only 2-3 are to speak. There must be accountability. The Greek word for judge is G1252 διακρίνω diakrínō, which means to make a decision. This evaluation must be by a standard, the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. The evaluation of the prophet’s speech must be aligned with the words of the Lord Jesus and Apostles understood in their plain, normal sense. Note that all are to judge, not just the leadership.
V30 If something is revealed to another sitting near, let the first stop talking.
If someone is getting longwinded and another has a message, the first person must sit down to let the other speak.
V31 For you all can prophesy one after another, so that all may learn and may all be encouraged.
There is order, not chaos. It is one after another. The purpose of what is said is to learn and be encouraged. All believers have a gift from God. All believers are expected to use that gift. All believers are expected to pray and learn to use the gift better.
V32 The spirits of the prophets are under the control of the prophets.
The prophets’ actions are controlled by the prophets; it is self-control. It is not God’s control. God can override, but usually, He allows. God is not a tyrant as some theologies teach; He is a shepherd. A limited, libertarian free will was created in us.
V33 For God is not the God of confusion but of peace, as in all congregations of the saints.
Confusion comes from another source. It is not decreed by God, for it does not confuse unless it is punishment (Deuteronomy 28:20).
In Genesis 1:2 the new creation was in confusion, but throughout the next creation days, God brings order out of chaos. This is what He does for believers as well. The demon-possessed man was in chaos, but upon belief in Jesus alone, he was now transferred from chaos to order:
Chaos: Mark 5:3-5 (EHV) The man lived in the tombs. Nobody could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he pulled the chains apart and broke the shackles in pieces. Nobody had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was constantly crying out and cutting himself with stones.
Order: Mark 5:14-15 (EHV) People came to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.
We learn:
- There is to be order in the church service.
- We can control ourselves.
- Jesus brings order out of chaos.
Questions:
- Is there order in your church service?
- Is this order in your life?