I Corinthians 14:1-25 (Part 65) The Priority of Edification in Public Assembly

The priority of edification in public assembly, 14:1-25

 The inferiority of tongues, vv. 1-5

 The deficiency of tongues, vv. 6-19

 The purpose of tongues, vv. 20-25: 1) The call to mature thinking, v. 20; 2) The basis for mature thinking, vv. 21-22; 3) The application for mature thinking, vv. 23-25: a) Relative to tongues, v.23; b) Relative to prophecy, vv. 24-25.

The necessity of order in worship (assembly), 14:26-40

A. Outline of their public gathering, v. 26a

B. The aim of the gathering, v. 26b

C. Regulation of the gathering (service), vv. 27-36: 1) Pertaining to tongues, vv. 27-28: a) Emphasis is on control—order must be secured; b) We need to exercise control of the volition, v. 28; 2) Pertaining to prophecy, vv. 29-33a: a) Order to be observed, v. 29 (all teaching must be verified); b) Interruption to be avoided, v. 30: c) Control to be displayed, vv. 31-32; d) Principle to maintain, v. 33a. 3) Pertaining to women, vv. 33b-36.

D. The authority of Paul’s instruction—vv. 37-40: 1) The “if” condition, vv. 37-38; 2) The “therefore” conclusion, vv. 39-40.

“Keep silent” v. 34

 Is it relative?

 Is it absolute?

“What if” questions

 They are often asked as a way around a fundamental principle

 Sometimes they are used to avoid truth

 Many times “what if’s aren’t answered because we are left to mature judgment

Gifts do not control the church; the church controls the gifts