September 2 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: I Corinthians 14:36-40 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Paul is finishing up his teaching that he began in chapter 11 concerning the problems that were occurring in the church services at Corinth. He opens today's passage with two rhetorical, and sarcastic, questions. His questions are, "Are you the source of the Word of God?", and "Were you the only ones who really received the Word of God?". Alfred Robertson explained these questions this way:

"Were you the starting-point of the Gospel? or were you its only destination? Do you mean to contend that you have the right to maintain these irregularities: women discarding veils in public worship, people getting drunk at the Supper, people speaking in Tongues and no one interpreting, prophets refusing to give place to one another, women claiming to prophesy and asking questions in public worship? If you defend such scandals as these, one can only suppose that you claim to be the alpha and omega of the Gospel, the fount and reservoir of all Church teaching, the starting-point and the goal of all Church discipline."

In verse 37-38 Paul says that anyone who is truly spiritual will admit that what he is writing are the commandments of God. The Corinthians claimed to be spiritual, but their actions proved that they were not. Paul has an interesting play on words in verse 38 for those who reject his teachings. He is not saying that if someone is ignorant of his message that they should be allowed to continue in their ignorance. What he is saying is that if someone in the church ignores what Paul is writing, then the rest of the church should ignore that man. Not only should they reject any of his teachings, but this would also include allowing him to suffer the consequences of his refusal to listen, which could include church discipline, and certainly would include the judgment of God.

In verses 39-40 Paul repeats some of the principles that he has established previously. Prophecy is better than tongues, because prophecy edifies all who hear it while tongues require an interpreter and can be very confusing to those who are not familiar with them. However, tongues were still a spiritual gift at that time, and so those who possessed that gift should not be forbidden to exercise it. Remember that the problem with tongues was not the fact that it existed, but the fact that it was being mishandled. Those who had that gift were welcome to use it, so long as they used it in accordance with the principles that Paul has set down. Paul finishes by saying that everything that is done in the church should be done with decorum, honesty, dignity, and be properly arranged. While the obvious application of this injunction is in the area of using spiritual gifts, Paul does use the term "all", which implies that everything that goes on in a church service ought to be done appropriately. Colossians 3:23 states,

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

"Let all be done decorously, as becomes the worship of the great and holy God; let all be without confusion, noise, and disorder".