1 Corinthians 14:26-40

1 Corinthians 14:26-40 … Continuing in the context of the Corinthian’s apparent over-emphasis on speaking in tongues, the text wonderfully outlines how a worship service ought to proceed as it says in 14:26 (my paraphrase)… How then shall it be when you come together? You’ll see hymns, teaching, revelation from the Word of God, and yes, speaking in tongues, but always with interpretation, and always in an orderly way. This is the prescription for a Spirit-led worship time. Then, we come to often misunderstood verses. We might observe that it’s not saying women should not speak in church because 1 Corinthians 11:5 endorses women who pray and prophesy in church. What then does it mean? Recall that the first 11 chapters of Corinthians dealt with correcting excesses in the church. This verse similarly seems to address excesses that were impeding the orderliness of worship. The Greek word for “speak” in verse 35 is one which connotes protesting and arguing, and perhaps that’s the context in which the text should be read. The verse should also speak volumes to husbands who ought to be capable of spiritual leadership in the home. Both men and women can learn from every verse of Scripture when they come with a teachable spirit and a sense of humility.