1 Corinthians 14:29

1 Corinthians 14:29 says, Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Paul tells us that even when the prophets speak, they are to do so in an orderly fashion.  Those listening should be able to judge if what is being said is the truth based on God's word.  God is never going to give someone a prophecy or teaching that is not consistent with His written word, the Bible.  I realize that what Paul was writing to the church at Corinth was not a part of the Bible at that time, but what he was teaching was consistent with the existing scriptures.  Verse thirty adds, If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  I believe Paul was telling us that even if we have something to say that was from God, we are to wait until the person speaking has finished to share what God has spoken to us.  We are not to all be speaking at once.  Verse thirty-one continues, For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  Paul tells us that when we gather as the church, a group of believers in Christ, that all are free to prophesy, but we are to do it one at a time. There is nothing gained, no edification, by having several people speak at once.  Verse thirty-two states, And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  I believe that Paul is telling us that even when we have something to say that comes from God, or the Holy Spirit, we still have control over when we say it.  If the Holy Spirit is leading someone to speak, then He is not going to lead someone else to interrupt them.  Matthew Henry points out that unlike the demonic spirits that overpowered the reasoning of people, the Holy Spirit leaves us to act in an orderly fashion, and not to all speak without control.  Verse thirty-three adds, For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.  Paul tells us why we should speak in an orderly fashion.  God is not the author of confusion, but of peace in the church.  If we have two or three, or even more, people speaking at the same time, especially if they are speaking in a language that is not understood, then there is no edification.  Though many Christians may disagree, I believe that this is what Paul is saying.  I believe that God expects our worship to glorify Him and to increase our knowledge of what it means to be His followers.  Verse thirty-four continues, Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. Once again, we can take this as a literal command, or we can see it as applying to the view of society at that time.  Matthew Henry says that this means that women should not speak in public but should only ask their husbands to teach them at home.  I disagree with him on this point.  The Bible tells us that in Christ, there is no male or female.  We can see women as inferior to men, or we can see them as equal in the eyes of God, and what Paul tells us here to be the best way to maintain unity in the church at that time.  Verse thirty-five says, And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.  Paul told the church at Corinth, where there was a lot of confusion when they gathered to worship, that women should ask their husbands to teach them at home. We can either view that as a command to us today, or a way to help the church at Corinth maintain order in the church.  Though men and women are certainly not the same, they are indeed equal in the eyes of God.  Verse thirty-six adds, What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  I believe Paul was asking the church at Corinth if they thought that they alone understood what it meant to be a Christian.  When we begin to think that we alone understand what being a follower of Christ means, then we are not following the truth of God.  No matter how large or small a congregation may be, they are all equal to God.  Verse thirty-seven continues, If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  We can once again take all that Paul says here as a literal commandment from God, or we can see what he wrote as the way to maintain order in worship, especially in the times in which he lived.  Verse thirty-eight states, But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.  I believe that Paul was telling us that if a person will not listen and learn from what Paul was saying that we can only leave them in their ignorance. Verse thirty-nine adds, Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  Paul tells us that we are to look for prophecy, or the teaching of God's word where it can be understood in the church, but we cannot deny the right of others to use their spiritual gifts.  Then in verse forty Paul sums it all up saying, Let all things be done decently and in order.  We are to do nothing that brings confusion in the church or that focuses worship on any person and not on God.  We are to be humble and orderly in worshipping God.