What does 1 Corinthians 14:31 mean?
Paul is providing rules for how the gatherings of the church in Corinth should be conducted. Now he applies both of his main principles to those who would exercise the gift of prophecy in the church setting. This gift involved explaining a revelation given to the prophet by God, and a careful assessment of that revelation by those who hear (1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11).First, Paul has said that only three people at the most should express this gift in the service, yielding their time if someone else receives a revelation while they are speaking. Now he emphasizes that only one prophet should speak at a time, one by one, so that all may learn and be encouraged.
The reason for being orderly in this way is for the gift of prophecy to accomplish its purpose of building up the others in the church. If two or more people are speaking at once, nobody is really heard and no one in the church learns anything. This follows Scripture's earlier indication that chaos and gibberish are not God's intent (1 Corinthians 14:23–25).
First Corinthians 14:26–40 includes specific instructions to the Corinthians on an orderly worship service. These meetings should reflect the character of God. Everyone should have an opportunity to bring a hymn, a lesson, a prophetic revelation from God, and even to speak in a tongue if someone is able to interpret. Each must happen one at a time, in turn, and only two or three tongues-speakers or prophets should contribute during a single service. Wives must remain silent and be in submission to their husbands. Only that which builds up the church should be included.
Paul encourages the Corinthians to desire the gift of prophecy, especially, among the other gifts. He shows why its use in the church service is superior to the use of the gift of tongues if nobody is available to interpret. Prophecy benefits everyone; praying in tongues with nobody to interpret benefits only the speaker. Only two or three tongues-speakers should contribute to any service, and only then one at a time and followed by interpreters. The same applies to prophecy and the gift of discerning spirits. Orderliness and building up the church are guiding principles for any worship meeting. Modern churches are divided on the extent to who which these gifts are given, or should be practiced.
