Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 1 Corinthians
Chapter 14: Decently and in Order
1 Corinthians 14 brings the teaching on gifts down to the gathered church, where love (chapter 13) must rule the use of gifts (chapter 12). The measure of gifts in the assembly is edification: 'he that prophesieth edifieth the church.' Paul values tongues, 'I speak with tongues more than ye all,' but in the church he would 'rather speak five words with my understanding... than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue,' because the goal is to build others up. He calls for both spirit and mind: 'I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.' Above all he calls for order, 'for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace', with tongues interpreted, prophets weighed, and everyone edified. His closing rule governs all worship: 'Let all things be done decently and in order.' The chapter shows us that the Spirit's gifts are given to build the church, and that God is a God of peace and order.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of 1 Corinthians chapter 14. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Here Paul teaches that the gifts are to edify the church, that worship should engage both spirit and understanding, and that all things must be done in the order of the God of peace. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
Edify the Church
In the assembly, prophecy that builds up outranks uninterpreted tongues.
Spirit and Understanding
Worship engages both the spirit and the mind.
Not the Author of Confusion
God is a God of peace, so worship must be orderly.
Decently and in Order
Let all things in worship be done fittingly and in order.
He That Prophesieth Edifieth the Church (1 Corinthians 14:1-12)
In the assembly, understandable prophecy builds up the church more than tongues no one can understand.
Seek That Ye May Excel to the Edifying of the Church
"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church."
Word Study
"edifying," Greek oikodome (οἰκοδομή). The word means the building of a house, and figuratively the building up of people, their strengthening and growth. It is the key word of the whole chapter: the test of any gift in the assembly is whether it edifies, builds up, the church. "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." Paul does not despise tongues, they build up the individual in private prayer, but in the gathered church the measure is the good of all: "seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." A gift used so that no one understands leaves the church unbuilt; a word spoken to "edification, and exhortation, and comfort" strengthens the whole body. This is the loving use of gifts that chapter 13 demanded: not seeking one's own display but the building up of others. Whatever is done in the assembly is to be measured by this: does it build the house of God, the church?
Explanation
Paul urges, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." His measure throughout is edification. An uninterpreted tongue "speaketh not unto men, but unto God," building up only the speaker, while "he that prophesieth edifieth the church." Like a pipe or harp giving indistinct sounds, or a trumpet with an uncertain call, unintelligible speech accomplishes nothing: "ye shall speak into the air." So he directs their zeal: "seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." Gifts are for building others, not impressing them.
Gospel Focus
Chapter 13 ended with love; now Paul applies it: "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." He is not against tongues, but in the assembly he prizes prophecy, understandable, Spirit-given speech that builds up, above tongues no one can understand. Why? Because of who is helped. "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God... howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries", tongues, uninterpreted, are a form of prayer and praise to God that others cannot share. "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort", building up, stirring up, and consoling the hearers. So "he that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." Paul would gladly have them all speak with tongues, but "rather that ye prophesied," unless the tongue is interpreted so the church can be edified. He drives the point home with everyday pictures: a pipe or harp must give "a distinction in the sounds" or it is just noise; a trumpet that gives "an uncertain sound" leaves the soldier unready for battle; a foreign language unknown to the hearer makes both speaker and listener "a barbarian" to each other. In each case, sound without meaning accomplishes nothing. So the conclusion for a gift-zealous church: "seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." The goal is never to impress with the spectacular, but to build up the people of God. Love turns even the use of spiritual gifts toward the good of others.
I Will Pray with the Spirit, and with the Understanding (1 Corinthians 14:13-25)
Worship should engage both spirit and mind, so that others can join in and even unbelievers be convinced.
God Is in You of a Truth
"Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth."
Word Study
"understanding," Greek nous (νοῦς). The word means the mind, the understanding, the faculty of thought and comprehension. Paul balances it with the spirit: "I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." True worship engages both, the spirit stirred and the mind comprehending. Praying "in an unknown tongue" engages the spirit, but leaves "my understanding... unfruitful," and leaves others unable to say "Amen" to what they cannot follow. Paul is not against fervent, Spirit-filled prayer, "I speak with tongues more than ye all", but in the church he would "rather speak five words with my understanding... than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue," because understandable words "teach others also." He calls them to maturity: "be not children in understanding... in understanding be men." Apostolic worship is neither cold intellect nor mindless fervor, but spirit and nous together, heart aflame and mind engaged, so that God is truly worshiped and the church truly built up.
Explanation
Paul insists that worship engage the mind: "I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also." An unintelligible blessing leaves the outsider unable to say the "Amen," so "in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding... than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." He tells them, "be not children in understanding... but in understanding be men." Considering the visitor, uninterpreted tongues make the church look mad, but prophecy convicts the unbeliever, laying bare his heart until "he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth."
Gospel Focus
Paul presses the practical point: one who speaks in a tongue should "pray that he may interpret," so the church can share in it. For "if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful." So he resolves to do both: "I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also." Worship is not to be all fervor with no comprehension, nor all thought with no fire, but both together. Otherwise the ordinary believer, "the unlearned," cannot even say "Amen" to a prayer he does not understand; the one praying "givest thanks well, but the other is not edified." Paul, who could say "I speak with tongues more than ye all," still insists that in the church "five words with my understanding" that teach others outweigh "ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." He calls them to grow up: "be not children in understanding." Then he explains the purpose of tongues from Scripture. God had said through Isaiah, "With men of other tongues... will I speak unto this people; and yet... will they not hear me", tongues were a sign of judgment to unbelieving Israel. So "tongues are for a sign... to them that believe not," while "prophesying serveth... for them which believe." Paul gives a vivid contrast: if outsiders walk into a meeting where "all speak with tongues," they will think the church "mad"; but if they hear prophecy, plain Spirit-given truth, the outsider "is convinced of all, he is judged of all," "the secrets of his heart" are exposed, and "falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth." The goal of the gathered church is not to display the spectacular but to speak the truth of God so clearly that hearts are laid bare, sinners are converted, and God is glorified as present among His people.
Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order (1 Corinthians 14:26-40)
Because God is a God of peace, not confusion, worship is to be conducted in order, each gift used for edification.
God Is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace
"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 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."
Word Study
"confusion," Greek akatastasia (ἀκαταστασία). The word means disorder, instability, tumult, unrest; the opposite of settled order. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." This is the great principle behind all Paul's rules for worship: the character of God Himself. God is not a God of chaos and uproar but of peace and order; therefore worship that honors Him will reflect His nature, orderly, edifying, and peaceable, not a scramble of competing voices. The disorder at Corinth, everyone speaking at once, tongues without interpretation, prophets interrupting, dishonored the God they claimed to worship. Because God is not the author of akatastasia, His people are to conduct their gatherings so that "all things be done decently and in order." Order in worship is not a quenching of the Spirit but an honoring of the God of peace, whose Spirit never works confusion, for "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets."
Explanation
Paul regulates the assembly with one aim: "Let all things be done unto edifying." Tongues are limited "by two, or at the most by three," and never without an interpreter; prophets speak "by course," their words weighed, "for ye may all prophesy one by one." The reason is theological: "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." A chaotic meeting misrepresents God's very character. So the governing rule crowns the chapter on worship: "Let all things be done decently and in order." Freedom in the Spirit and reverent order are not enemies but partners.
Gospel Focus
Paul now gives practical rules for orderly worship. When the church gathers, many come ready to contribute, "a psalm... a doctrine... a tongue... a revelation... an interpretation", and the governing rule for all of it is: "Let all things be done unto edifying." Tongues are permitted, but limited and interpreted: "by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret," and "if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church." Prophecy too is ordered: "let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge," and if revelation comes to another, "let the first hold his peace," so that "ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted." Crucially, "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets", true inspiration does not overwhelm self-control; a genuine gift can wait its turn. And Paul grounds it all in the nature of God: "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." Worship that is chaotic misrepresents the God of peace. Within this concern for order, Paul directs that "your women keep silence in the churches," not a blanket ban on women's participation, for earlier he assumed women pray and prophesy in the assembly (1 Corinthians 11:5), but a restraint on the disorderly, interrupting speech that was disturbing the meeting; if they would learn, "let them ask their husbands at home." The concern throughout is order and edification, "as also saith the law." Paul closes with authority and balance: his directions are "the commandments of the Lord," not mere opinion; so "covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues", neither despising nor idolizing any gift, "Let all things be done decently and in order." Spirit-filled worship and good order are not enemies; the God of peace is honored when His people worship in freedom and in order together.
Chapter 14 in Review
1 Corinthians 14 governs the use of gifts in the gathered church by the twin standards of edification and order. Because "he that prophesieth edifieth the church," Paul prizes understandable prophecy above uninterpreted tongues in the assembly, though he values tongues in private prayer and speaks in them "more than ye all." Worship should engage both spirit and mind: "I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also," so that others can say "Amen" and even an unbeliever, hearing plain truth, may fall down and confess "that God is in you of a truth." And all must be orderly, "for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." Tongues are to be interpreted, prophets weighed, and everything done for edification, under "the commandments of the Lord," so that "all things be done decently and in order."
For the Apostolic reader this chapter keeps Spirit-filled worship anchored to love, understanding, and order. The gifts of the Spirit, tongues and prophecy alike, are real and to be desired, but their purpose in the church is to build up the body, not to display the gifted. Worship engages the whole person, spirit aflame and mind instructed, so that the church is edified and outsiders are convicted and converted. Above all, the God we worship is a God of peace, not confusion; His Spirit never produces chaos, and true inspiration remains under self-control, "subject to the prophets." So neither quench the Spirit nor allow disorder; covet to prophesy, forbid not tongues, and let everything in the house of God be done decently and in order, to the edifying of the church and the glory of the God of peace.
- In the assembly, the measure of every gift is edification, building up the church (14:12, 26).
- Prophecy that all understand outranks uninterpreted tongues in the gathering (14:1-5).
- Worship engages both spirit and understanding (14:15).
- Clear truth convicts the outsider: "God is in you of a truth" (14:24-25).
- "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (14:33).
- "Let all things be done decently and in order" (14:40).
Questions for Reflection
- Do you use your gifts in the church to build others up, or to be noticed?
- Does your worship engage both your spirit and your understanding?
- How does knowing God as "not the author of confusion, but of peace" shape a church's worship?
- Can you hold together a love for the Spirit's gifts and a commitment to good order?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. Edifying the church; prophecy and tongues: 1 Corinthians 14:1-12; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:11-16. Worship in spirit and understanding; tongues as a sign: 1 Corinthians 14:13-25; Isaiah 28:11-12; John 4:23-24; Acts 2:4-11. God the author of peace and order in worship: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; 1 Corinthians 11:5; 1 Timothy 2:11-12; Colossians 2:5. The commandments of the Lord through the apostle: 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:2. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- Prophecy edifies the church more than uninterpreted tongues: 1 Corinthians 14:1-12; Romans 14:19.
- Worship in spirit and understanding; tongues a sign: 1 Corinthians 14:13-25; Isaiah 28:11-12; Acts 2:4-11.
- The God of peace and order in worship: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; 1 Corinthians 11:5; Colossians 2:5.