1 Corinthians 14:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.

NIV: And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

NASB: But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent.

CSB: But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent.

NLT: But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop.

KJV: If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

NKJV: But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

Paul is providing direction to the Corinthians about how to conduct their worship services. He has insisted on two things: The services must be orderly, and only those things which build up others should be included.

A third principle is one of self-control over spiritual gifts. Of all of those with the gift of speaking in tongues, only two or three should do so, and only one at a time, and only if someone with the spiritual gift of interpretation is able to explain what has been said. Otherwise, those with the gift of tongues must remain silent.

Only two or three of those with the gift of prophecy should speak, as well, also in turn. In addition, some in the group should examine that their revelations are truly from God and not from another "spirit" (1 John 4:1). This may have required those with the gift of discerning between spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10) to exercise their gift. It could also involve use of God's written word (Acts 17:11) to ensure that these are legitimate statements.

Now Paul adds that the prophet who is speaking should stop and sit down if another person receives a revelation from God while the first person is talking. Again, Paul shows that spiritual gifts do not overcome those who receive them. These gifts of the Holy Spirit always remain under the full, conscious control of those who use them to serve others in the church.

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.

1 Corinthians 14 concludes Paul's teaching on the spiritual gifts begun in chapter 12. Between them, chapter 13 declared that Christlike love matters most of all. The gift of prophecy is better than the display of the gift of tongues in worship services unless someone with the gift of interpreting tongues is available. Even then, only those things which build up the church should be included in any service, and everything should be done in an orderly way, reflecting the character of God. The final two chapters of this letter discuss the resurrection of Christ and Paul's concluding remarks.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.