Godly Worship with Goldy Gifts: Part 2

God of Order

1 Corinthians 14:26–33 NIV

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. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Intimate glimpse at the worship service of the church in the first century. There is submission and surrender to one another and to the Lord for the sake of one another. If what is being done or said is not edifying to the body, then one should be silent.

There is a responsibility given to the congregation to pour into the lives of one another. We each have a song, word of instruction, revelation, tongue or interpretation to share for the sake of building up the body.

Pride has no place in our worship for our worship is centered on the Lord and His truth.

Reflecting God’s Order

1 Corinthians 14:34–40 NIV

Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 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. Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 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. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Context is necessary in proper interpretation of Scripture. Paul is not saying that women have no place in the ministry of the church or he would be denying his words in Chapter 11 stating that women should pray and prophesy in the church in a dignified manner.

Paul is confronting another instance within the church where silence of a particular kind would allow peace and order to guide our worship. The two likely scenarios spoken about here are wives questioning their husbands prophesies in a public forum or wives speaking about personal matters in their questioning of other prophesiers. In both these instances, the focus was being shifted from the Lord to the individual.

This also removed the husband from his role of leading and teaching his spouse. We are quickly on the defensive with this passage today because our culture regards women very differently than the first century culture, but also because our culture has shirked the responsibilities that were given by God for the sake of our own comfort.

Paul reminds us that we are not the center nor the source of truth. God is our focus and our aim. It is in Him that we should be seeking and pursuing. God has given us all the gifts needed to proclaim and point others toward Him. Let us be obedient and diligently use His gifts to build one another up and to make much of His Name!