Topic 32: 1 Cor. 14:26-39: Part 1: Context

1 Corinthians 14:26-39 is a discussion by St. Paul on worship practices in the Corinthian congregation.  In 1 Corinthians 11:5 Paul speaks of women in the congregation praying and prophesying.  These verses continue the discussion.

[14:26] What then, brethren?  When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.  Let all things be done for edification.  [27]  If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at the most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.  [28]  But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God.

Thesis One: Paul’s concern is, again, not gender, but worship order.

(A) “[vs 26] …. each one … “: In these worship instructions, everyone present is included; there are neither instructions to exclude anyone nor restrictions established based on gender.

(C) “[vs 31] … you can all prophesy …”

[14:26] What then, brethren?  When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.  Let all things be done for edification.  [27] If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.  [28] But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God.  [29] Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.  [30] If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent.  [31] For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged;  [32] and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.  [33] For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.  As in all the churches of the saints, [34] the women should keep silent in the churches.  For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.  [35] If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home.  For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.  [36] What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached?

◆ “Simply stated, this assignment has arisen because the Synod has previously taken the position that the Scriptures themselves qualify or limit the eligibility of women for service in the church.  The Scriptures do so in those passages which require that only men are permitted to serve in the office of pastor and carry out the functions which God has assigned to it (1 Corinthians 14; 1 Timothy 2)” (Commission on Theology and Church Relations, LCMS, “The Service of Women…16 November 1994”).

◆ “The opening phrase of verse 34 suggests that the practice in all of the Christian congregations of Paul’s day is that the women are to keep silent in church assemblies.  The context of this passage makes clear that the ekklesiai referred to are the assemblies of Christians gathered for congregational worship” (Maier, “Some Thoughts on the Role of Women in the Church,” The Springfielder, Vol. XXXIII, No. 4 [March 1970] pg. 35).

Thesis Two: Paul, here in 1 Corinthians 14:26-36, is not discussing the office of the public ministry, nor ecclesiastical authority, nor qualifications as to whether or not women can participate in such an office.  He is discussing rubrics for conduct during worship and how wives relate to husbands during worship.

(A) In the preceding and following chapters and verses, Paul is addressing an apparent problem of behavior in public worship in Corinth:

(1) There is confusion in the public worship: with factions and divisions being evident (1 Corinthians 11:18-19), with regard to the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20-29), confusion on how women relate to men in worship (1 Corinthians 11:3ff),  a confusion centered in “speaking in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:6-19), and misunderstandings due to everyone trying to speak at once (1 Corinthians 14:26-40).

(2) Confusion will be offensive to unbelievers and hinder the Gospel witness.

(3) In Chapter 14, Paul uses the term “edify” seven times, laying down a basic, common sense outcome so that chaos is stemmed and order and growth take place.  Verse 26: “Let all things be done for edification …”

(4)  In 14:26 Paul suggests a “liturgy” that might bring about order and edification in the assembly (“each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue … let all things be done for edification …”).

(5) In 14:28 instruction is given to ensure order when the gifts of tongues is present: “… each in turn…”

(6) Then in verse 29 he instructs “the prophets” (which would include women, 1 Corinthians 11:5) to proceed “one by one” (verse 31).

(7) Verse 33: Paul concludes “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

(8) Verse 40: “… but all things should be done decently and in order.”

(B) We can conclude:

(1) Paul is addressing the issue of rubrics for worship, not eligibility for public preaching of the Word.

(2) The universal principle Paul is laying down (vs 37: ” …what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord …”) is not directed to the question of whether or not women can lead worship and preach, but that those who are prophets and spiritual (vs 37) should demonstrate this by showing godly love and respect toward each other within the worship setting.

(3) The context is behavior in worship, not eligibility for pastoral office.