I Corinthians 14:26-40
A couple of comments today… First, I was struck by a small phrase in the following verses: …let each of them keep silent in church (v. 28) and For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (v. 36) The two-word phrase, “in church…” Has Paul ever used that phrase thus far in any of our readings? “In church…” This is a new concept. Today’s reading begins with “When you come together…” or “When you assemble…” (v. 26), but he has not used the phrase “in church”. Previously I believe that Paul has spoken of “the church” or “the churches” and we see that today in verses 33 and 34. There Paul is referring to the larger body of believers, not to a particular assembly. But in verses 28 and 36, “in church” is when they are gathered together for worship. Interesting…
I noted a couple of days ago that the following verse was the summary verse for all of chapter 14: So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (v. 12) Today we have a similar verse for today’s reading as to behavior “in church”: But all things should be done decently and in order. (v. 40) This verse jumped out at me today because of the decency and order that Carol and I did NOT see on our last visit to Czechia. In fact we saw absolute rebellion – shouting and quarrelling, mostly by one man directed to another, just as a church service was beginning. We were shocked – we have known this man for many years and have had four of his children in our English Camps. But there was a major controversy in this church and the man sought to air it out as the service began. I believe it was out of respect for Carol and me being there that the man settled down and the service went on unhindered. But he clearly showed us that …all things should be done decently and in order!
Finally, some of our best friends in Carol and my early years together came from Plymouth Brethren backgrounds. These denominations are, in some sense, almost leaderless. The people come together on Sunday mornings with no agenda, no script, no designated leader. They speak or sing or read whatever comes to their mind. In so doing, they very much reflect Paul’s description of “church” at the beginning of today’s reading: When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. (v. 26) Except, however, I doubt that these gatherings exhibit “tongues” at all! I don’t think we Anglicans could live in that world. We need structure!! ?
Slava Bohu!
“In church.” Sounds like Paul is using “church” as a verb. It is how we are “to church”, or while you are “churching”. I had read church as a noun, even a place, the first reference to a location, rather than our usual thought of a group of people, like in congregation.
I was also struck by reading the comments about women as relating to the other comments about disorder. Paul wasn’t giving the last word on the role of women. It seems like as more structures came in, this passage was misinterpreted.