Worship in Spirit and Truth 31 - Orderly Worship - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
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· 4 viewsMorning 22 March 26
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17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! 18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! 19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
Introduction
It is clear from the the beginning of this letter that the church at Corinth has many problems some more serious than others but all need to be put right. As we have seen there were two fundamental elements that were clearly lacking, love for God and each other and the building up of the church. If these are not right the church is in a very precarious position.
This is particularly relevant in respect to worship. Worship of God is singularly the most significant vital thing that we can ever do. Absolutely nothing in our lives is more important than our worship of God, individually and corporately.
Paul has been dealing with this and now applies what he has taught to the church worshipping God.
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1. Elements of Worship v26
1. Elements of Worship v26
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26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
a. A Hymn
a. A Hymn
Song of praise
b. A Lesson
b. A Lesson
Teaching, Instruction
c. A Revelation
c. A Revelation
Spirit inspired understanding of God’s Word.
d. Building Up
d. Building Up
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2. Tongues v27-28
2. Tongues v27-28
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27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
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3. Prophets v29-33a
3. Prophets v29-33a
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29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
a. Orderliness v29-30
a. Orderliness v29-30
Paul restrains the members of the Corinthian congregation by saying that each may speak in turn: one at a time and no more. Throughout this segment of his discussion, he enforces the rule for orderliness in the church (see v. 33a). Kistemaker, S. J.,
Note that after Paul repeats the numbers two and three and the command to be silent, he accentuates the one more than the other. For the tongue-speakers he requests that one interpreter provide the meaning of what they said, but for prophets he asks the church members to evaluate prophetic utterances. While he tells the tongue-speaker who lacks an interpreter not to speak in church, he encourages its members to prophesy in succession. With respect to tongue-speech Paul does not mention any benefits, but when he refers to prophecy he describes the blessings of instruction and encouragement. The differences between these two spiritual gifts are significant, and Paul is consistent in repeating their dissimilarities. He always places the gift of prophecy at a level that excels the gift of tongue-speaking. Kistemaker, S. J.
30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.
When Paul writes that something is revealed to one who is sitting in a worship service, he does not say that God verbally addresses this person. God works through his Spirit in the lives of his people at worship, home, or work; this is a truth to which every believer can testify. The Holy Spirit often instills within us either a firm conviction of God’s truth, a vivid impression of reality, or a distinct understanding of a current problem. The Spirit clearly prompts and guides us to speak and act so as to fulfill God’s purpose. This divine guidance is revelatory for the individual recipient. Kistemaker, S. J.,
b. Peace not Confusion v31-33a
b. Peace not Confusion v31-33a
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
i. Learning v31
i. Learning v31
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,
1 Corinthians: Crossway Classic Commentaries Special Directions for the Conduct of Public Worship (Verses 26–40)
So that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. This is the aim of all their speaking. What one said might suit the needs of some hearers; and what another said might be appropriate for others. Thus, all hearers would receive instruction and encouragement. The last word (encouraged), however, is not as comprehensive as the original, which means not only to comfort but to exhort and to admonish.
ii. Spirits of the Prophets
ii. Spirits of the Prophets
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
1 Corinthians: Crossway Classic Commentaries Special Directions for the Conduct of Public Worship (Verses 26–40)
So that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. This is the aim of all their speaking. What one said might suit the needs of some hearers; and what another said might be appropriate for others. Thus, all hearers would receive instruction and encouragement. The last word (encouraged), however, is not as comprehensive as the original, which means not only to comfort but to exhort and to admonish.
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4. Decorous Worship v33b-35
4. Decorous Worship v33b-35
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33 . As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church
Decorum - behaviour that is controlled, calm, and polite:
a. Silent Women v34
a. Silent Women v34
Paul’s command to keep silent cannot be a total ban on speaking in the meetings. This injunction would contradict his earlier statement (11:5), where he spoke of women praying and prophesying at worship. Moreover, we presume that with the men, the women also were singing psalms and hymns in church (14:26). Obviously, Paul is not restricting women from speaking when they worship God. Rather he is saying that they should respect their husbands in accordance with the Law. Kistemaker, S. J.,
5 but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.
b. Respectful Women
b. Respectful Women
Now he has in mind the account of Genesis 2:18–24 that teaches the creation order in which Adam was created first and then Eve as Adam’s helper. From this account, Paul deduces the principle that the wife is subject to her husband as his helper and is accountable to him. Kistemaker, S. J.,
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18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
...the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
They should ask their husbands at home.
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5. The Only Foundation v36-40
5. The Only Foundation v36-40
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36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
a. God’s Word v36
a. God’s Word v36
36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
b. Arrogance v37-38
b. Arrogance v37-38
37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
c. Do All Decently and in Order v39-40
c. Do All Decently and in Order v39-40
39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
Conclusion
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1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
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28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
