Everything Decently and in Order: Worship That Builds the Body

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Scripture • World English Bible

1 Corinthians 14:34–40

WEB

³⁴Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,

³⁵if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.”

³⁶What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

³⁷If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

³⁸But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

⁴⁰Let all things be done decently and in order.

World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain

Reflection

Paul writes into a congregation where worship has become noisy, confusing, and more about impressing than building up. His concern is not mere formality but the spiritual health of the body. When people speak in tongues without interpretation or when enthusiasts monopolize the meeting, the result is bewilderment, not edification. In the middle of his practical rules, Paul sharply insists that his instructions are not merely personal opinion but carry the weight of the Lord’s command.

Two linked truths rise from this passage. First, God delights in spiritual gifts. Paul urges brothers to desire to prophesy and does not forbid speaking in tongues. He wants the Spirit’s work to flourish. Second, gifts must aim at the good of others. A meeting where only a few show off or where confusion reigns misses the point. Prophecy must strengthen, encourage, and comfort. Tongues must be interpreted so the church understands. The guiding word that ties everything together is order: decency and orderliness protect love and witness.

Those sharp instructions about silence and questions in the assembly are often difficult to hear. Read in the light of the chapter as a whole, however, they reflect a concern for learning and respect in communal worship. Paul prefers that sincere questions be handled in a way that preserves teaching and prevents disruption—so that learning may happen without shaming or sidelining anyone. He also challenges anyone who thinks the apostolic message began with them; the gospel originates with God, not human pride.

The practical aim is clear: worship must glorify God and build up people. That means leaders should shepherd gatherings so gifts are expressed with clarity and love; members should pursue understanding and humility; and the community should prioritize the spiritual growth of every person. When worship is orderly, the voice of the Lord is heard more clearly, hearts are encouraged, and the church becomes a faithful witness to the world.

Putting Faith Into Action

If you lead worship or meetings, set simple guidelines: limit speaking time, require interpretation for tongues, and invite only one prophecy at a time so the congregation can be built up and respond.
If you are a participant, practice humility: learn before teaching in public, ask questions respectfully after the meeting, and use your gifts with the aim of encouraging others rather than showcasing yourself.
Create regular opportunities for teaching and discipleship so men and women alike can grow in understanding and then serve the church well—provide classes, small groups, or mentor relationships that move questions from confusion into maturity.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to hunger for your gifts and to use them for the good of others. Give our gatherings calm hearts and clear speech. Teach us humility and love so that everything we do in your name builds up the body and honors you. Amen.

Memory Verse

1 Corinthians 14:40 — Let all things be done decently and in order. (WEB)

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Keep Going Continue to Part 46 The Gospel We Received: Standing Firm in the Resurrection 1 Corinthians · 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 Read the next devotional →

Bible Context

Read all of 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14

World English Bible • WEB

¹Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

²For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

³But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

⁴He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

⁵Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

⁶But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

⁷Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

⁸For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

⁹So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.

¹⁰There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

¹¹If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

¹²So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

¹³Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.

¹⁴For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

¹⁵What should I do? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

¹⁶Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?

¹⁷For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

¹⁸I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.

¹⁹However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.

²⁰Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

²¹In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They won’t even listen to me that way, says the Lord.”

²²Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.

²³If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy?

²⁴But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

²⁵And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

²⁶What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

²⁷If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.

²⁸But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.

²⁹Let two or three of the prophets speak, and let the others discern.

³⁰But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.

³¹For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted.

³²The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

³³for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.