Slices
Prepare
Meditate on the greatness of the God who brought order to chaos at creation and who brings harmony between disparate people in salvation.
Bible passage
Good order in worship
26 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. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two – or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 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. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Explore
‘Rammy’ is a word used in Scotland for a quarrel or disorder. There’s increased potential for a rammy in a church gathering where different people choose hymns, bring instruction or a revelation with others speaking in interpreted tongues and prophesying! But ‘vibrancy and order are not enemies’* if our agreed criterion is building up the church (v 26). It’s not a competition! Where our common motivation is instruction and encouragement (v 31) and when prophets control themselves (v 32), then even interruption is tolerated (v 30). It’s an image which challenges protective practices when it comes to worship-leading and preaching! A prophet can kindly give way to another with a revelation, choosing not to hog the limelight but allowing other contributions. Space is provided for all God’s people to bring their insights. It looks as if prophecy is not a prepared talk, but neither is it an uncontested word from the Lord (v 29).
We can only guess that some wives were prone to air their questions about prophecies, challenging their husbands in public, which was far from the done thing (vs 34,35)! Given 1 Corinthians 11:5, it is clearly not a lifetime ban! Rather, this restriction aims to nullify distraction from building up the church (v 26).
*TR Schreiner, 1 Corinthians, IVP, 2018, p295
Respond
Examine your own heart to question your motives for speaking and how well you listen to others.
Shortly after writing these notes, Andy went to be with his Saviour in heaven.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Mark 13; 1 Thessalonians 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the many children who have played and explored Bible stories through the Guardians of Ancora app. In its time, it has introduced thousands to Jesus, here in England and Wales and right across the world. Give thanks for all its done to make the Bible accessible for the 95.
