Man adored his God and’ served Him in love according to the laws that God set over him to order his life. God was drawn to man, who bore His likeness. By reason of this creation there existed a most beautiful love between God and man. Reflected in man’s very being were the virtues and perfections of God. This is clearly seen in the original creation of man. Hence, neither is God the author of confusion or discord among men. There is only perfect love manifesting itself in complete harmony, unity, and peace. Among these three (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) there is no confusion, discord, or disorder. God is triune: three persons subsisting in the one divine Being. God is the author of peace because He is the God of peace within Himself. This is a general truth that has broader application than just the public worship or life of the church. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. There was also strife and confusion occasioned by questions of marriage and eating meats offered to idols. The Lords Supper had degenerated into a feast from which some were wrongfully excluded and at which others became drunk. There were lawsuits among the members of the church. An incestuous relation continued unchecked in the church. The congregation was badly divided by a party spirit. There was confusion in other areas of the life of the Corinthian church as well. Let all things, therefore, be done decently and in order. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. It was necessary that the chaos that prevailed in the worship of Corinth cease and that order be restored.
If women will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. It is not permitted for women to speak in the public worship of the church. Should anything be revealed to one who sits (i.e., an elder or minister), let the one who began to prophesy first hold his peace and yield. Let the rest of the congregation judge and discern its truth.
If there is none to interpret, let the one with the gift of tongues speak to himself and to God but not in the public worship.Ĭoncerning prophecy, let two or three prophesy.
Let them speak only when one is present with the gift of interpretation, so that the whole church may be edified. In this fourteenth chapter of his letter to Corinth the apostle Paul gives instruction concerning the orderly use of these gifts, especially the gifts of tongues and prophecy.Ĭoncerning tongues, let no more than two, or possibly three, speak in a service. Those endowed with these gifts tended to compete with each other at the public worship so that there was confusion and chaos. However, there was a problem in Corinth with all these gifts. These gifts included speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecies, and revelations. The church of Corinth had been especially blessed with the special gifts of the Spirit. Slopsema is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan.įor God is not the author of confusion, but of peace… Let all things be done decently and in order.
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