1 Corinthians 14: Order in the Assembly
Paul ranks prophecy above tongues and calls for intelligible, orderly worship, since God is a God of peace and all should be built up.
1 Corinthians 14 (WEB)
1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
5 Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather 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.
6 But 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?
7 Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?
9 So 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.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11 If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? 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.
16 Otherwise 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?
17 For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
19 However 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.
20 Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.”
22 Therefore 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.
23 If 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?
24 But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.
25 And 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.
26 What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
27 If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
30 But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.
31 For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints,
34 let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says.
35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly.
36 What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?
37 If 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.
38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14 (KJV)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? 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.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
1 Corinthians 14 (ASV)
1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritualgifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
7 Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?
9 So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.
11 If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.
12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? 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.
16 Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
19 howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.
21 In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;
25 the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret:
28 but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.
30 But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.
31 For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
34 let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.
35 And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.
36 What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?
37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
38 But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 But let all things be done decently and in order.
Summary
Following the way of love, Paul urges the church to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. The one who speaks in a tongue speaks to God and edifies himself, but the one who prophesies speaks understandable words that build up, encourage, and comfort the whole assembly. Tongues without interpretation are like an indistinct musical note or an uncertain trumpet call—no one knows what is meant, and the speaker is just talking into the air. So Paul, who speaks in tongues more than any of them, would rather speak five intelligible words in the assembly to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. He urges them to be mature in their thinking. Tongues are a sign for unbelievers, but prophecy benefits believers and can even convict an outsider so that he falls down and worships, declaring that God is truly among them. When they gather, everything—psalm, teaching, revelation, tongue, interpretation—should be done to build one another up. Tongues should be limited to two or three, in turn, with an interpreter; prophets should speak two or three, with the others weighing what is said, and each yielding to the next, for the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, and God is not a God of confusion but of peace. After instructions about order in worship, Paul insists that what he writes is the Lord's command, and concludes that the church should earnestly desire to prophesy and not forbid tongues, but that all things be done decently and in order.
Main Characters
- Paul — The apostle who ranks prophecy above uninterpreted tongues and lays down principles for worship that is intelligible, orderly, and edifying.
- The one who prophesies — The believer whose understandable words build up, encourage, and comfort the church and can convict the outsider.
- The one who speaks in tongues — The believer who speaks mysteries to God and edifies himself, but whose gift needs interpretation to benefit others.
- God of peace — The Lord who is not a God of confusion but of peace, whose character should shape the church's worship.
Key Verse
1 Corinthians 14:40 (WEB)
Let all things be done decently and in order.
Lessons Learned
- Gifts that others can understand build up the church more than private speech.
- The aim of worship is the building up of the whole assembly.
- Maturity means seeking what edifies others, not just what excites us.
- God is a God of peace, so worship should be orderly, not chaotic.
- Pursue what builds others up. He who prophesies “edifies the assembly” (1 Corinthians 14:4, WEB). The most valuable gifts in worship are those that benefit everyone.
- Worship must be intelligible. Paul would rather “speak five words with my understanding… than ten thousand words in another language” (1 Corinthians 14:19, WEB). Clarity serves love.
- God is a God of peace. “God is not a God of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33, WEB). Orderly worship reflects God's own character.
- Do all things decently and in order. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40, WEB). Freedom in worship is matched by reverence and structure.
- Why does Paul value prophecy above uninterpreted tongues in the assembly?
- What is the goal that should govern everything done when the church gathers?
- What does it mean to be mature rather than childish in our thinking about gifts?
- How does the truth that God is a God of peace shape the way worship should be conducted?
- When you gather with God's people, are you more focused on your own experience or on building others up, and how might that change?
- Prophecy is understandable and so edifies the whole church, while uninterpreted tongues benefit only the speaker (14:2-4). Paul is not despising tongues but insisting that in public worship love seeks what helps everyone.
- Everything in the gathering should aim at building one another up (14:26). This single goal reorders the use of every gift, turning worship from self-expression into mutual service that strengthens the body.
- Maturity weighs gifts by their usefulness to others rather than by how impressive they feel (14:20). Childishness chases excitement and display, while maturity pursues edification, clarity, and love.
- Because God is a God of peace, not confusion, worship that honors him will be orderly and considerate (14:33, 40). Spontaneity and freedom are not opposed to order; both serve the building up of the church.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to examine their motives in worship—whether they come to receive a personal high or to encourage and serve others. As leader, encourage a heart that delights to build up the whole family.