Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

1 Corinthians 14 Devotional

Built Up Together in Worship

“For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.”1 Corinthians 14:33 (BSB)

Love stays central as Paul turns to how the church gathers. He urges them to pursue love and to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, because prophecy speaks to people to strengthen, encourage and comfort them (14:1-3). A tongue no one understands may be speech to God, but without interpretation it cannot build up others, so Paul would rather speak a few clear words than thousands in a tongue (14:2, 5, 19).

If an outsider walks in and no one can be understood, he will think the church has lost its mind. But if God's word is spoken clearly, his heart may be exposed and he may fall down in worship, confessing that God is really present among them (14:23-25). So Paul sets limits on how many speak and in what order, gives instructions for women in the churches, and calls for order in everything (14:27-35, 40). The reason is God himself, who brings peace, not confusion (14:33). Whatever part you have when believers gather, you can offer it to build others up.

To think about: When believers gather, how could you use whatever part you have to build someone else up?

About 1 Corinthians 14: Prophecy, Tongues, and Orderly Worship

Paul urges the church to pursue prophecy, which builds up the church, over uninterpreted tongues. Worship should be understandable to outsiders and done decently and in order, with limits on speakers, interpretation of tongues, and instructions for women in the churches.

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