1Corinthians: Instructions for the Church

[Tithesmeister]

I think it would be interesting for us to compare our local services to this instruction from Paul for church meetings. Please feel free to comment and compare your local meetings (or others, camp meetings etc.) to this instruction. Any verse or subject contained herein is fine. How well do our churches comply with the “commandments of the Lord” contained in this passage?


1Cor.14

[1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
[2] For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
[3] But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
[4] He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
[5] I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
[6] Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
[7] And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
[8] For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
[9] So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
[10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
[11] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
[12] Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
[13] Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
[14] For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
[15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
[16] Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
[17] For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
[18] I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
[19] Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
[22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
[23] If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
[24] But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
[25] And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
[26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
[27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
[28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
[29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
[30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
[31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
[32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
[33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
[34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
[35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
[36] What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
[37] If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
[38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
[39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
[40] Let all things be done decently and in order.

[Michael The Disciple]

Doesnt sound like any Church Im aware of at this time.

[Monterrey]

That women keeping silent would hit a wall in most churches. Kinda puts out women preaching.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Doesnt sound like any Church Im aware of at this time.

Good to hear from you brother.

I must admit it doesn’t seem to be happening in the circles I travel in either.

I wonder why.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by Monterrey

That women keeping silent would hit a wall in most churches. Kinda puts out women preaching.

It almost seems that people don’t believe this portion of the Bible.
They are UNASHAMED.

I have heard of people who remove Paul’s writings and from their Bible. They say he was misogynistic and other derogatory terms.

Most people who disagree with Paul just ignore him though. They don’t remove his writings from their Bible. Women want to “have a voice”.

[good samaritan]

In most cases I don't particularly feel comfortable with women preachers.Although, 1Cor. 14:34 doesn't seem to be consistent with the harmony of scriptures if taken at face value.

Romans 16:1
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a “servant” of the church which is at Cenchrea:

servant
G1249
G1249

Lemma:
διάκονος

Transliteration:
diakonos

Pronunciation:
dee-ak'-on-os

Part of Speech:
Noun

Root Word (Etymology):
Probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands, cf διώκω G1377)

Thayer Lexicon:
1. one who executes the commands of another, especially of a master, a servant, attendant, minister
a. the servant of a king
b. a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use
c. a waiter, one who serves food and drink

Strong’s Definitions:
Probably from διάκω diakō (obsolete, to run on errands; compare διώκω G1377); an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant.

Occurrences in Bible:
31

Occurrences in Verses:
29

KJV usage:
minister (20x), servant (8x), deacon (3x).

There are too many cases of women used to prophesy to men to not at least consider alternate views.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

In most cases I don't particularly feel comfortable with women preachers.Although, 1Cor. 14:34 doesn't seem to be consistent with the harmony of scriptures if taken at face value.

I agree with this portion of your post. Although I would say in ALL cases I am uncomfortable with women preaching to men. I would think that any Apostolic woman would likewise be uncomfortable preaching to men.

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Romans 16:1
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a “servant” of the church which is at Cenchrea:

I must admit that I fail to see the relevance of this passage. She being a servant to the church is quite different than preaching to the men. Maybe you could enlighten me?

Originally Posted by good samaritan

There are too many cases of women used to prophesy to men to not at least consider alternate views.

I suppose you could post some of the cases for consideration. I’m not really aware of there being so many.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

In most cases I don't particularly feel comfortable with women preachers.Although, 1Cor. 14:34 doesn't seem to be consistent with the harmony of scriptures if taken at face value.

Romans 16:1
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a “servant” of the church which is at Cenchrea:



There are too many cases of women used to prophesy to men to not at least consider alternate views.

Also . . .

I don’t mean to put words in your mouth but, it seems that you are saying that this passage is not inspired by the Holy Ghost and is in fact NOT in harmony with the Bible.

So, if this is your conclusion, should we disregard this portion of scripture?

Perhaps remove it from our Bible?

Do you believe it is not truly “the commandment of the Lord”?

Please elaborate.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

I agree with this portion of your post. Although I would say in ALL cases I am uncomfortable with women preaching to men. I would think that any Apostolic woman would likewise be uncomfortable preaching to men.


I must admit that I fail to see the relevance of this passage. She being a servant to the church is quite different than preaching to the men. Maybe you could enlighten me?



I suppose you could post some of the cases for consideration. I’m not really aware of there being so many.

The Greek word for servant is the same Greek word for deacon in 1 Timothy 3.

Additionally:

Romans 16:2
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

It appears to me that this lady was in a ministerial/leadership role to had been given this commendation to the church in Rome. It doesn't seem like she is going to be taught while she sits silently by.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

Also . . .

I don’t mean to put words in your mouth but, it seems that you are saying that this passage is not inspired by the Holy Ghost and is in fact NOT in harmony with the Bible.

So, if this is your conclusion, should we disregard this portion of scripture?

Perhaps remove it from our Bible?

Do you believe it is not truly “the commandment of the Lord”?

Please elaborate.

I certainly believe it is inspired but it must be properly understood in the context it was written. I am not certain, but I feel like the church in Corinth had a specific issue involving women who were being disorderly. Generally, women didn't likely receive the same emphasis on education as men.

Imagine trying to teach small children Sunday School and college and career-age students together. Either you are going to go over the children's head or you are going to bore the others with things that are too elementary. During the church assembling together women were to be quite and listen. If they didn't understand they should simply ask their husbands at home, rather than holding up the discussion until they had clarity.