I Corinthians 14:29-40: "Prophecy and other Commands"
Paul concludes his discussion on the gifts with the procedure for prophecy as well as a couple other miscellaneous exhortations. He begins, "And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment". Paul, now addressing the gift of prophecy, gives them the same procedure as tongues, in which those who would speak would only be two or three at the most. MacArthur writes, "Those New Testament prophets spoke for the Lord in two ways. In some instances they gave new revelation from God to the church. And, by reiterating what the apostles taught, they also proclaimed what had previously been revealed, much as preachers and teachers of the Word do today". In addition to the limit of how many could speak, the other individuals gifted with prophecy were to "pass judgment". This would be in line with the gift of discernment in which the other prophets listening to what was being said would hold it in light with what had previously been revealed and what was written up to that point in Scripture. MacArthur points out that the prophets "were collectively to evaluate the validity of all prophetic messages. The Holy Spirit enabled those evaluating prophets to 'test the spirits to see whether they [were] from God' (I John 4:1). Since the prophets sometimes were entrusted with new revelation, it was especially vital that everything they preached and taught was absolutely true and consistent. Because they were helping build the foundation of the church, the validity of their teaching was of the utmost importance".
Paul also points out, in regard to prophecy, "if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent". This shows that a new revelation took precedence over a reiteration of what had already been revealed. This did not mean one was more important than the other, but rather, "at the moment, the new should be heard while it was fresh from the Lord", according to MacArthur. This was done in order to make sure everyone was paying attention to the one giving the new revelation. Another command of Paul to maintain order was to make sure that, "all prophesy one by one". Just as Paul commanded them about tongues, Paul wanted them to understand that there should be no confusion when congregating together, but rather, one who would bring the Word from God would be given complete attention. All of this had been laid out by Paul "so that all may learn and all may be exhorted". This was the point of all the commands that Paul had given in regards to the spiritual gifts. It was clear that the Corinthians were quite unorganized and immature in their exercising of the gifts. Paul wanted to give them rules so that they may be able to learn and be exhorted through the proper use of the gifts. Paul continues by reinforcing the prophet's role of judging one another's message, "and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets". MacArthur clarifies, "Not only are prophets to judge the authenticity of what other prophets say, but each prophet is to have control of his own spirit. The Bible knows nothing of out-of-spirit or out-of-mind revelations. Those to whom God revealed His Word did not always fully comprehend the message they were given, but they were always fully aware of what the message was and aware that it was given to them by God". Here Paul is reinforcing the statement that we are to exercise our spirit's as well as our minds in all things. The goal of all this is so that no one would leave confused but rather encouraged and exhorted by what they heard. In all we say and do in our worship we should reflect the nature of God which Paul explains, "God is not a God of confusion but of peace". Unlike the Corinthian's whose worship services were divisive, confusing, and full of strife, Paul is commanding them to change the one they are doing things that they may reflect confidence in the standard God has set for them in worship.
Paul moves from spiritual gifts and confronts another issue in the Corinthian church: the role of women. Paul sets a universal rule "in all the churches of the saints", towards the woman's role in church services. He clearly writes, "Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak". This command may seem harsh, but it was done in a spirit of love in order to accomplish the order and encouragement that Paul has been speaking of. Apparently in the Corinthian church it was an issue that the women were speaking up and adding their input in such a way to add to the confusion of the church. MacArthur writes, "One of the designs of creation, as well as one of the primary consequences of the Fall, was the submission of women (Gen. 3:16). Paul reflected that principle explicitly when he said, 'Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet' (I Tim. 2:11-12). Paul's argument was not based on cultural standards but on two historic and foundational facts: (1) 'Adam . . . was first created, and then Eve" and (2) 'it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman' (vv. 13-14). Men are to lead in love; women are to submit in love. That is God's design". Paul even references that this command is from God's Word as he writes, "but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says". This was in no way a reflection on superiority or a woman's inability to do a good job, but rather, the natural chain of command set up by God. God has a perfect plan in all he does and it is when we pervert these plans because we think we know better that things go wrong. Again, it is not because men are more gifted than women, but rather that men have been put in charge and women must submit according to God's Word. MacArthur writes, "Women may be highly gifted teachers and leaders, but those gifts are not to be exercised over men in the services of the church. God has ordained order in His creation, an order that reflects His own nature and that therefore should be reflected in His church".
The next statement Paul gives is as much for the women as it is for the men, "And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church". If the Corinthian church had problems with women voicing their questions in a disruptive way, Paul was giving them the solution to it. A woman should submit to what is being said and taught in the church and if they have a question or an issue, they should bring it to their husbands outside of church. This is a call for husbands to be well versed in scripture to be able to lead and instruct their wives with the wisdom of the Word. If these rules are followed the church would be a more organized and beneficial place to go and learn.
Paul had so much that he had to deal with when it came to the Corinthians. The members seemed to only care about themselves and getting to exercise their rights, rather than submitting to the rules and following what God had set up as if somehow they were wiser than God. For this reason, Paul wants to shoot down all questions and arguments that may be raised by the Corinthians by rhetorically asking them, "Was it form you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?" MacArthur writes, "[Paul] said, in effect, 'If you didn't write Scripture then obey it. If you are not the sole receivers of God's Word, then subject yourselves to it as faithful children of God, as Christians everywhere else are obliged to do'. No believer has a right to overrule, ignore, alter, or disobey the Word of God. To do so is to put himself above God's Word". In addition Paul puts his apostleship foot forward to exclaim, "if anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment". Here Paul speaks with complete confidence, knowing that all he is writing is through the inspired Word of God, and are not his opinion, but the Lord's commandments. He was sick of the selfishness and immaturity of the Corinthian church and was in essence telling them that if they believed to have the spiritual gift of prophecy or tongues they would be obedient to exercise them the way God had commanded them to. Otherwise, "if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized". Fed up with the so-called wisdom of the Corinthians, Paul tells them the way it is. If you do not recognize the commands he is given as the commands of God and wants to do their own thing, then they will not be recognized as having any wisdom. Why would anyone listen to a so-called believer who doesn't listen to the commands of God?
In conclusion, to sum up, Paul writes, "Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues". Here Paul wanted to make sure they understood he was not undermining the true spiritual gifts given to them from God. He wanted them to earnestly desire to prophesy for those who had the gift, and to speak in tongues, for those who had been given the God-given gift. They were good things when exercised properly. However, his main point was that he wanted them to understand that if they truly did have the gift that"all things be done properly and in an orderly manner".
Paul also points out, in regard to prophecy, "if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first keep silent". This shows that a new revelation took precedence over a reiteration of what had already been revealed. This did not mean one was more important than the other, but rather, "at the moment, the new should be heard while it was fresh from the Lord", according to MacArthur. This was done in order to make sure everyone was paying attention to the one giving the new revelation. Another command of Paul to maintain order was to make sure that, "all prophesy one by one". Just as Paul commanded them about tongues, Paul wanted them to understand that there should be no confusion when congregating together, but rather, one who would bring the Word from God would be given complete attention. All of this had been laid out by Paul "so that all may learn and all may be exhorted". This was the point of all the commands that Paul had given in regards to the spiritual gifts. It was clear that the Corinthians were quite unorganized and immature in their exercising of the gifts. Paul wanted to give them rules so that they may be able to learn and be exhorted through the proper use of the gifts. Paul continues by reinforcing the prophet's role of judging one another's message, "and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets". MacArthur clarifies, "Not only are prophets to judge the authenticity of what other prophets say, but each prophet is to have control of his own spirit. The Bible knows nothing of out-of-spirit or out-of-mind revelations. Those to whom God revealed His Word did not always fully comprehend the message they were given, but they were always fully aware of what the message was and aware that it was given to them by God". Here Paul is reinforcing the statement that we are to exercise our spirit's as well as our minds in all things. The goal of all this is so that no one would leave confused but rather encouraged and exhorted by what they heard. In all we say and do in our worship we should reflect the nature of God which Paul explains, "God is not a God of confusion but of peace". Unlike the Corinthian's whose worship services were divisive, confusing, and full of strife, Paul is commanding them to change the one they are doing things that they may reflect confidence in the standard God has set for them in worship.
Paul moves from spiritual gifts and confronts another issue in the Corinthian church: the role of women. Paul sets a universal rule "in all the churches of the saints", towards the woman's role in church services. He clearly writes, "Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak". This command may seem harsh, but it was done in a spirit of love in order to accomplish the order and encouragement that Paul has been speaking of. Apparently in the Corinthian church it was an issue that the women were speaking up and adding their input in such a way to add to the confusion of the church. MacArthur writes, "One of the designs of creation, as well as one of the primary consequences of the Fall, was the submission of women (Gen. 3:16). Paul reflected that principle explicitly when he said, 'Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet' (I Tim. 2:11-12). Paul's argument was not based on cultural standards but on two historic and foundational facts: (1) 'Adam . . . was first created, and then Eve" and (2) 'it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman' (vv. 13-14). Men are to lead in love; women are to submit in love. That is God's design". Paul even references that this command is from God's Word as he writes, "but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says". This was in no way a reflection on superiority or a woman's inability to do a good job, but rather, the natural chain of command set up by God. God has a perfect plan in all he does and it is when we pervert these plans because we think we know better that things go wrong. Again, it is not because men are more gifted than women, but rather that men have been put in charge and women must submit according to God's Word. MacArthur writes, "Women may be highly gifted teachers and leaders, but those gifts are not to be exercised over men in the services of the church. God has ordained order in His creation, an order that reflects His own nature and that therefore should be reflected in His church".
The next statement Paul gives is as much for the women as it is for the men, "And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church". If the Corinthian church had problems with women voicing their questions in a disruptive way, Paul was giving them the solution to it. A woman should submit to what is being said and taught in the church and if they have a question or an issue, they should bring it to their husbands outside of church. This is a call for husbands to be well versed in scripture to be able to lead and instruct their wives with the wisdom of the Word. If these rules are followed the church would be a more organized and beneficial place to go and learn.
Paul had so much that he had to deal with when it came to the Corinthians. The members seemed to only care about themselves and getting to exercise their rights, rather than submitting to the rules and following what God had set up as if somehow they were wiser than God. For this reason, Paul wants to shoot down all questions and arguments that may be raised by the Corinthians by rhetorically asking them, "Was it form you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?" MacArthur writes, "[Paul] said, in effect, 'If you didn't write Scripture then obey it. If you are not the sole receivers of God's Word, then subject yourselves to it as faithful children of God, as Christians everywhere else are obliged to do'. No believer has a right to overrule, ignore, alter, or disobey the Word of God. To do so is to put himself above God's Word". In addition Paul puts his apostleship foot forward to exclaim, "if anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment". Here Paul speaks with complete confidence, knowing that all he is writing is through the inspired Word of God, and are not his opinion, but the Lord's commandments. He was sick of the selfishness and immaturity of the Corinthian church and was in essence telling them that if they believed to have the spiritual gift of prophecy or tongues they would be obedient to exercise them the way God had commanded them to. Otherwise, "if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized". Fed up with the so-called wisdom of the Corinthians, Paul tells them the way it is. If you do not recognize the commands he is given as the commands of God and wants to do their own thing, then they will not be recognized as having any wisdom. Why would anyone listen to a so-called believer who doesn't listen to the commands of God?
In conclusion, to sum up, Paul writes, "Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues". Here Paul wanted to make sure they understood he was not undermining the true spiritual gifts given to them from God. He wanted them to earnestly desire to prophesy for those who had the gift, and to speak in tongues, for those who had been given the God-given gift. They were good things when exercised properly. However, his main point was that he wanted them to understand that if they truly did have the gift that"all things be done properly and in an orderly manner".
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