So what is to be done, brothers? When you assemble, one has a psalm, another an instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything should be done for building up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, and each in turn, and one should interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others discern. 30 But if a revelation is given to another person sitting there, the first one should be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. 32 Indeed, the spirits of prophets are under the prophets’ control, 33 since he is not the God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the holy ones, 34 women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. 35 But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Did the word of God go forth from you? Or has it come to you alone? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he should recognize that what I am writing to you is a commandment of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not acknowledge this, he is not acknowledged. 39 So, [my] brothers, strive eagerly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, 40but everything must be done properly and in order.
This passage addresses the conduct of communal worship, particularly concerning the proper use of spiritual gifts, orderly worship, and the roles of prophecy and speaking in tongues within the Church. Each member of the community brings different expressions of faith—whether psalms, teachings, revelations, tongues, or interpretations, and all of these gifts should contribute to building up the Church. Paul wants an orderly assembly for the good of the whole community so he limits the exercise of speaking in tongues to two or three individuals, each taking turns. He insists that someone must interpret for the benefit of the congregation. If no interpreter is present, the person should refrain from speaking out loud in tongues.
Prophecy, like tongues, should be exercised by no more than two or three individuals during a single gathering, with others discerning (or judging) if the prophetic message is authentic and alignment with apostolic teaching. In the early Church, there was the practice of testing spirits (1 John 4:1) and evaluating prophecy (1 Thess. 5:20-21). This was necessary to maintain doctrinal integrity and ensure that only true messages from God were accepted. During a communal gathering, the Holy Spirit may inspire multiple individuals with revelations. Paul highlights the importance of humility and respect, instructing that the prophet currently speaking should yield if another receives a revelation. Paul encourages orderly participation by encouraging those who are prophets to speak “one by one.” The gifts of the Spirit are given for the common good to build up the entire community.
Even when inspired by the Holy Spirit, prophets have control over their own spirits when delivering prophecies. This self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:22-23), reflects God’s nature as a God of “peace,” not of “disorder,” which worship should mirror.
In addressing the role of women in the assembly during public worship, the historical and cultural context of first-century Corinth must be understood. Society was deeply patriarchal, and public speech by women, especially in religious gatherings, was often seen as inappropriate or disruptive. In both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, women typically had restricted public roles, and religious assemblies were male-dominated spaces. Paul’s instruction for women to remain silent in Church and be instructed at home was likely aimed at maintaining order in a way that respected these societal norms and minimized distractions to the Gospel message.
Paul reminds the Corinthians that the Gospel did not originate with them and was not given solely to them. He asserts that his instructions carry divine authority, and those who are truly spiritual should recognize this authority as from the Lord (cf. 2 Cor. 10:8). Paul concludes by encouraging the Corinthians to pursue prophecy for its capacity to edify the Church while advising against forbidding the gift of tongues altogether.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gifts You have given to build up Your Church. Help us to use them with humility, wisdom, and love, always seeking peace and unity within our worship. May our Churches reflect Your order and Your glory, so that all who join us are strengthened and encouraged. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
Comments