1 Corinthians 14 (5)

Pray Psalm 25.4, 5.
Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Sing Psalm 25.4, 5.
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
Make me to know Your ways, teach me Your paths, O LORD!
My Savior, all day long I wait and seek You in Your Word.

Read 1 Corinthians 14.1-36; meditate on verses 29-36.

Preparation
1. Who can prophesy during a worship service?

2. To what end must they prophesy?

Meditation
If Paul was describing a typical gathering for worship, we must admit that what he outlined looks almost nothing like what we do in worship.

Paul was writing about when the people “come together” “in church” (vv. 26, 28), that is, when “the whole church comes together in one place” (v. 22). What he describes is broadly participatory, everyone having something to offer for the instruction and edification of the whole church (v. 26). He mentions a few of the components of a worship service—prophesying, that is, speaking for edification; singing or perhaps reciting a psalm, sharing an insight into God’s revelation, speaking in a tongue or providing an interpretation. Everyone, of course, could prophesy (v. 31) because everyone should be ready to stimulate others to love and good works (prophecy, we recall, is the native tongue of the faithful; cf. Heb. 10.24). All who wish to prophesy to the whole church—and these were house churches, so probably maxed out between 20 to 30 individuals—must take turns and be respectful to one another. Those leading in this aspect of worship would have been members acknowledged by all as having the gift of prophecy, which seems to be a step up from the normal prophesying all could do.

Women, however, were not to speak in church (v. 34). They should share their thoughts at home, and if they had questions, they should look to their husbands (v. 35). This would provide excellent incentive for husbands to fulfill their God-given role of leading the household (cf. Gen. 3.16).

Does this mean that no women would have the gift of prophecy or would be allowed to prophesy in the church? I doubt that; Paul seems to be speaking of a norm for the churches, but not an iron rule. Philip, we recall, had daughters who were prophets, and Paul felt at home among them. And Priscilla seems to have been ready to lead even an apostle to a clearer understanding of God’s Word (Acts 19.24-26; 21.8, 9).

These guidelines are intended to bring peace, order, and edification to the church. In verse 36 Paul reminded the Corinthians that this is the Word of God which came not to them, but to him, and which he proclaimed not just to the Corinthians but everywhere he taught.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
I remember, as a youngster, experiencing the joy of letters, sounds, and thoughts joining together on the page as written words formed sentences, ideas, and stories. One of the ways I express glee over something is to compare it to the sound of walking on marble floors in a library. Does it get any better than that?

Suffice it to say, I love reading. Holding a book, feeling the paper, catching the gentle smell emanating from the page, and getting lost in the turn of a phrase…ahh, bliss.

And the best book of all? God’s glorious Word. Talk about an amazing smell—is there anything to compare with the aroma of a leather Bible with featherweight pages?

I have read in books about writing that for powerful, creative writing one cannot beat these opening lines:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1.1) and,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1.1).

Which brings us to its Author: God, Who is “not the Author of confusion but of peace” (1 Cor. 14.33).

All—men, women, and children—are invited to read God’s writings day in and day out. No one is prohibited from reading it. There is no ban in the Church keeping anyone from absorbing each word, meditating on each line, cherishing each promise, and pondering every principle.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119.105).
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer. 15.16).
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23.12).

In God’s Word we are satisfied with a feast of good reading, good promises, grand truths, and exceptional writing. Its authorship impeccable—every word goes together, it all makes sense, never a disagreement of thought or form—from cover to cover.

It is wasted time spent quibbling about who gets to do what, where and when, or how and why.
It is what it is. Rejoice. God is the Author. He is never confusing. He is in charge. He is Sovereign. He knows what He’s doing. Let’s just go with it and reap the bounteous benefits and beautiful love and salvation found within. Peace, Order, and Edification will flow with “showers of blessings” (Ez. 34.26) for those who do it His way.

Which is always the best.

For reflection
1. Why do you think our worship today doesn’t look much like worship in Paul’s day? Is this a problem?

2. Worship is certainly a good work, so we should expect the Bible to teach about it (2 Tim. 3.15-17). What would you expect to learn from Scripture about worshiping the Lord?

3. Who we are as Christians comes down to what we believe about Scripture and the use we make of it. What do you believe about Scripture? What use does Scripture have in your life?

[T]he instruments of this edification are psalms, teaching, tongues, revelations, and interpretations. . . . Paul does not attribute all of these to a single person, because the Holy Spirit does not so distribute these gifts that all of them are conferred on a single person. Instead, each person receives their own gift, as is mentioned in chapter 12. Wolfgang Musculus (1497-1563), Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:26

Pray Psalm 25.11-18.
Confess your sins to the Lord and ask Him to bless you as you submit to His Word and follow Jesus today. Plead with Him for mercy and grace to help in all your times of need.

Sing Psalm 25.11-18.
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
For Your sake, LORD, forgive. All they who fear You, LORD,
shall know Your blessings day by day and follow in Your Word.

Your friends are they who fear and seek Your holy face;
Your covenant with them You share and save them by Your grace.

Be gracious, LORD, to me; my heart is weighed with woe.
My troubles and affliction see; let my transgressions go.

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today is in need of revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.