Orderly Worship
In keeping with the discussion concerning spiritual gifts - they should be used in the church service & do not forbid the speaking of tongues. However, everything in moderation. God is a God of order & discipline. In fact, self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. So, Paul gives us some guidelines for conducting a service:
1. In speaking in tongues, people should take turns & three at most should be given.
2. An interpretation should be given for each tongue - this was spoken about in earlier chapters. Remember, it does not benefit the church body if they can't understand the tongue given.
3. In prophesying - two or three at most, taking turns.
4. Everyone should listen carefully to prophesy & weigh it against Scripture
Finally, the last bit - women should not speak in church. Weighing this against other Scriptures (11:5 and chapters 12-14), this instruction is for the Corinthian church specifically. Many women of that culture did not have the religious training that men received and their questions and comments were causing problems and disorder in the service. Therefore, Paul instructed the men - those trained - to instruct the woman at home so order could be restored to the service. This guideline is about restoring unity, not to teach about a women's role in the church.
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