1 Corinthians 14:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But all things should be done decently and in order.

NIV: But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

NASB: But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way.

CSB: But everything is to be done decently and in order.

NLT: But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.

KJV: Let all things be done decently and in order.

NKJV: Let all things be done decently and in order.

This returns to where Paul started this section: the exercise of two specific spiritual gifts in the worship services of the church in Corinth. He has written positively of both these gifts, prophecy and speaking in tongues. Modern churches are divided on the extent to which these gifts are still given and/or should be practiced.

Paul has encouraged the Corinthians to desire the gift of prophecy and not to forbid, in general, the use of tongues. This includes the restrictions he gave for their use in church services. Now, though, he repeats the core principles that should guide them in the use of any gifts. This should be a key priority in the structure of any church service: "all things should be done decently and in order."

As revealed in this passage, the issue at hand isn't just about keeping things neat and tidy. Nor is it about being rigid or woodenly traditional. Paul has insisted that it has to do with reflecting God's own character. Our God is not a God of confusion, Paul has written (1 Corinthians 14:33). Because of this, the gifts given by Him should not be exercised in ways that are chaotic. Services conducted for the purpose of worshiping Him should also be orderly.

Beyond this, many believers choose to pursue order over chaos in every area of life in order to reflect God's character.

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.