1 Corinthians 14:36 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, the apostle finishes his argument with a deserved rebuke of the Corinthians for their proud self-confidence. They had handled their spiritual gifts in a way no other church did, as if they stood apart from everyone else and did not need correction or order. So Paul asks them, in effect, “Did the gospel start with you? Did Christianity come from Corinth? If not, is it now limited to you alone?” Their conduct was arrogant, since they acted as if they alone were favored with God’s gifts and could ignore the normal practice of other churches.

Paul could speak with full authority when needed, and this was clearly one of those times. Those whose spiritual pride throws Christian churches into confusion must be rebuked and humbled, even if they do not like correction. People who are full of themselves often resist even the warning of an apostle, but that does not make the warning any less necessary.

Paul also tells them that what he has written is the command of the Lord. Anyone who truly claimed to be a prophet, or a spiritual person, should recognize this. If someone refused to accept Paul’s directions in this matter as Christ’s will, then that person did not really have the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ does not contradict itself. If the same Spirit speaks through Paul and through others, then it must speak the same truth in both places. If someone’s message clashes with Paul’s, then it cannot come from the same Spirit.

So this becomes a test for false claims. If people say Paul’s instructions are not God’s command, you can be sure those people are not truly inspired by God. If, after all this, anyone still remains uncertain or ignores the issue because of prejudice or stubbornness, they must be left with that blindness. It is right for God to leave people in the darkness they choose when they keep shutting out the light.

Paul ends with two main instructions. First, they should not despise the gift of tongues or stop using it altogether, but they must keep it under the rules he has given. Even so, prophesying should be preferred, because it is more useful for the church. Second, all things must be done decently and in order. That means they must avoid anything clearly improper or confusing.

Paul does not mean that they should add anything to Christian worship just because it seems impressive or attractive to human taste. He is telling them to stay away from the disorders he has already corrected. They must do nothing childish (1 Corinthians 14:20), nothing that would make people think they were out of their minds (1 Corinthians 14:23), and nothing that would create confusion, since God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). In worship, they should speak one at a time, take turns, and not interrupt one another. To do otherwise would destroy the purpose of Christian ministry and Christian gatherings.

The lesson is clear: obvious indecency and disorder must be kept out of every Christian church and every part of worship. Nothing in worship should be childish, absurd, silly, wild, or noisy. Everything should be carried on in a serious, thoughtful, calm, and orderly way. God must not be dishonored, and his worship must not be brought into disgrace by the way we conduct it.