Daily Devotions
1 Corinthians
"Let all things be done decently and in order."
Text: 1 Corinthians 14:40
A LAST WORD OF ADMONITION
The debate could go on endlessly. Paul had devoted three whole chapters addressing the subject of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14). It was time to add a last word of admonition.
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy,
and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
Let all things be done decently and in order.”
1 Corinthians 14:39-40
1. “Therefore, brethren”
a) Paul still addressed the Corinthians as “brethren”.
b) No matter the disagreements and problems, if they were true believers, they were “brethren”.
c) Paul displayed a very magnanimous spirit.
2. Two gifts were in mind in this context (closing words)
a) The gift of prophecy.
b) The gift of tongues.
c) Both these gifts were in existence in the first century.
3. The danger of being overly restrictive or prohibitive
a) Paul was aware that the church could swing against those who
i) Had been given the gift of prophecy.
ii) Had been given the gift of tongues (foreign languages).
b) There must not be total negativity towards those who had these gifts.
4. “Desire earnestly to prophesy”
a) What Paul had written (1 Corinthians 12-14) must be borne in mind.
b) These are to be read as commandments of the Lord.
5. “Do not forbid to speak with tongues”
a) What Paul had written as the commandments of the Lord are to be borne in mind.
b) There must not be abuse at any time.
6. “Let all things be done decently and in order”
a) These two characteristics must be borne in mind in particular.
b) “All things” would include the utility of all spiritual gifts.
c) Anything that is not done decently and in order would not glorify the Lord in any way.
d) The glorious and holy name of the Lord must always be honoured.
The church is the holy Body of Christ and it must always be glorified!