″Order! Order!″ These words are used by the Speaker of the House of Commons who chairs debates in the lower chamber of the British Parliament. Meetings can be rowdy, and participants can argue and shout. Someone needs to bring order to the proceedings.

The church in Corinth also needed order in their meetings, and Paul wants to see it restored. So, he tells them what to do when they ″come together″ (1 Corinthians 14:26).

First, in Christian worship, you're participants, so come ready to use your gift, whether ordinary (such as a hymn) or extraordinary (such as a revelation). Second, every part of the worship gathering should have the intention of seeing God's people strengthened and built up (v. 26). So, come with God-inspired words (a song, a revelation, a tongue, an instruction)-we need to hear from God!

What will this look like in the church of Corinth, where meetings have resulted in more harm than good (11:17)? Paul now paints a picture of orderly and respectful meetings that would edify all who are there. In particular, he points to three areas where there has been division.

First, he addresses those who speak in tongues. Only two or three are to speak, one after the other, and then only if they have an interpretation (14:27-28). Otherwise, keep quiet!

Next, those who have the gift of prophecy are to speak, and those listening, to ″weigh carefully what is said″ (v. 29). Pagan prophecy usually involved people in a state of trance and being out of control.¹² By contrast, prophets inspired by the Spirit of Christ are in control of themselves. Indeed, they are willing to shut up, sit down, and let someone else speak (v. 30)! They let others consider and weigh their prophecies, and they long for the church to be encouraged. In short, they reflect the God whom they serve-a God of peace, not chaos (v. 33).

Then, Paul addresses the wives who openly challenge their husbands' prophecies (vv. 34-35). The Greek word in verse 34 can be used to refer to either women or wives, and it is likely that Paul is talking about married women, not women in general. Paul can't possibly mean that women should remain completely silent, as he has already encouraged them to pray and to prophesy (see 11:5, 13).

How should wives honour their husbands who prophesy and, at the same time, weigh carefully what their husbands say? Paul's statement that wives should ask their own husbands at home (v. 35) implies that the husbands knew the answers. So, it seems most likely that Paul is urging the women whose husbands have prophesied not to dishonour and embarrass them by challenging their prophecies in public.

Paul ends by rebuking those who think they don't have to listen to an apostle of Jesus (vv. 36-38). His concern is to encourage public worship that is reverent and orderly (vv. 39-40).

Heavenly Father, please help me to be ready to use my gifts to build up my brothers and sisters when I gather with them, in an orderly and respectful manner.