1 Corinthians 14:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

NIV: For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

NASB: for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

CSB: since God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

NLT: For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.

KJV: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

NKJV: For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

This verse appears to wrap up Paul's thought about how the gifts of tongues and prophecy should be expressed in church services. Then, he will begin an entirely new thought about the role of women in those services.

First, Paul refers to his statement that the spirit of a prophet is subject to that person. This means a person is in full control of when he starts and stops expressing a spiritual gift. God's Holy Spirit does not take a person over in the sense that they lose control of themselves and awareness of their surroundings.

This reality is true because of God's character. God is not a God of confusion. It contradicts His nature to suggest His Holy Spirit takes a congregation over such that all were forced to speak at the same time, as listeners sit without any idea of what is being said. Design, intent, and orderliness are aspects of God's character. These are reflected in how He operates in the world and among His people. It should be reflected even in our church services.

Paul describes this character trait of orderliness as peace, meaning that God values peace and acts in ways that contribute to peace instead of chaos.

Paul introduces his next topic with the phrase, "as in all the churches of the saints." It should be noted that verse numbers were added later; Paul did not create them. Perhaps early translators understood this phrase to refer to the previous one. Modern translators understand it to introduce Paul's teaching on the role of women in the Corinthian church. Strictly speaking, either has merit, since the foundational concepts presented here apply to all believers.

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.