1 Corinthians 14:26-40: a reflection

26What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. 27If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three of the prophets speak, and let the others discern. 30But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent. 31For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted. 32The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints. 34Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says, 35if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.” 36What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone? 37If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. 38But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. 40Let all things be done decently and in order.

As Paul gives instruction about the gathered worship of the church, he names two guiding principles. First: Let all things be done to build each other up. Whatever happens when believers gather is to serve the building up of one another, not the display of any individual. And second, grounding it: God is not a God of confusion but of peace; so let all things be done decently and in order. The life of the church is to reflect God's own character of peace, aimed at edification, carried out in good order rather than chaos.

Notice the two principles Paul gives: building one another up, and orderly peace reflecting God's character. Everything in the gathered church is to serve the building up of one another; that is the aim. And it is to be done in an orderly, peaceful way, because God is a God not of confusion but of peace; the manner is to reflect his character. Edification is the goal, and peaceful order is the manner; both flow from who God is, a God who builds up and a God of peace, whose character the church's life is to reflect.

Those principles are worth taking to heart, for the life we share with other believers is to be shaped by them. In our life together, the aim is not our own display or preference, but the building up of one another; and the manner is not chaos or confusion, but the orderly peace that reflects God's character. We can lose sight of both, seeking our own way rather than others' good, or bringing confusion rather than peace. In your life with other believers, let your aim be to build one another up, not to display or assert yourself; and let the manner reflect God's peace, orderly and edifying rather than chaotic. The gathered life of God's people is to build up and to reflect his peace; let both shape how you share life with other believers, seeking their building up and a peaceful order that reflects the God who is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Lord, as Paul gives instruction about the gathered worship of the church, he names two guiding principles. First: let all things be done to build each other up. And second, grounding it: God is not a God of confusion but of peace; so let all things be done decently and in order. The life of the church is to reflect your own character of peace, aimed at edification, carried out in good order rather than chaos. Show me the two principles: building one another up, and orderly peace reflecting your character. Everything in the gathered church is to serve the building up of one another; that is the aim. And it is to be done in an orderly, peaceful way, because you are a God not of confusion but of peace. Edification is the goal, and peaceful order is the manner; both flow from who you are. Take those principles to my heart, for the life I share with other believers is to be shaped by them. In my life together with others, the aim is not my own display or preference, but the building up of one another; and the manner is not chaos, but the orderly peace that reflects your character. I can lose sight of both, seeking my own way rather than others' good, or bringing confusion rather than peace. In my life with other believers, help my aim be to build one another up, not to display or assert myself; and let the manner reflect your peace, Lord, orderly and edifying. Help both shape how I share life with other believers.