1CO 14:26-40

Orderly Worship

26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let everything be done for building up.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two, or at most three, and in turn; and let someone interpret.

28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly; let him speak to himself and to God.

29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

30And if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first be silent.

31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

32And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

33for God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the holy ones,

34let the women keep silent in the assemblies; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them be subject, as the Law also says.

35But if they wish to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly.

36Or was it from you that the word of God went forth? Or has it come to you alone?

37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

38But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39Therefore, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

40But let everything be done properly and in order.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, public assemblies were governed by strict norms of order and decorum, reflecting the broader cultural emphasis on (proper conduct). The Corinthian , likely meeting in a private home, was no exception. Paul’s instructions here address the chaotic worship practices that mirrored the disorder of Corinth’s civic life. The emphasis on (edification) reflects the communal purpose of worship: to build up the body, not to showcase individual gifts. Tongues and prophecies, while valued, were to be regulated—tongues limited to two or three speakers with interpretation, and prophecies subject to discernment by others. This mirrors the Roman practice of orderly debate and the Jewish synagogue tradition of regulated teaching. The directive for women to remain silent aligns with broader Greco-Roman and Jewish norms of public decorum, though its interpretation remains contested. Paul’s call for (submission) reflects the hierarchical structures of the time, ensuring worship did not devolve into disorder.

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How other translations render this

1CO 14:26

KJV: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
BSB: What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
Koinōnos: What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let everything be done for building up.

1CO 14:27

KJV: If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
BSB: If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
Koinōnos: If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two, or at most three, and in turn; and let someone interpret.

1CO 14:28

KJV: But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
BSB: But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
Koinōnos: But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly; let him speak to himself and to God.

1CO 14:29

KJV: Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
BSB: Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
Koinōnos: Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

1CO 14:30

KJV: If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
BSB: And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
Koinōnos: And if a revelation is made to another who is seated, let the first be silent.

1CO 14:31

KJV: For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
BSB: For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
Koinōnos: For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

1CO 14:32

KJV: And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
BSB: The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
Koinōnos: And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

1CO 14:33

KJV: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
BSB: For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
Koinōnos: for God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the holy ones,

1CO 14:34

KJV: 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.
BSB: Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
Koinōnos: let the women keep silent in the assemblies; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them be subject, as the Law also says.

1CO 14:35

KJV: 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.
BSB: If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.
Koinōnos: But if they wish to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the assembly.

1CO 14:36

KJV: What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
BSB: Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
Koinōnos: Or was it from you that the word of God went forth? Or has it come to you alone?

1CO 14:37

KJV: 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.
BSB: If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lordʼs command.
Koinōnos: If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

1CO 14:38

KJV: But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
BSB: But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
Koinōnos: But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

1CO 14:39

KJV: Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
BSB: So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
Koinōnos: Therefore, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

1CO 14:40

KJV: Let all things be done decently and in order.
BSB: But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
Koinōnos: But let everything be done properly and in order.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

1CO 14:26

for:The word translated 'for' here carries the sense of building up or edifying. It refers to the act of constructing or improving, suggesting that all actions should contribute to the spiritual growth of the community.

1CO 14:28

[the] church,:The term used here for '[the] church' refers to a summoned assembly or gathering of citizens, not primarily a building or a formal institution. It emphasizes the collective body of believers meeting together.

1CO 14:34

but:The word translated 'but' here implies being subject to or arranged under, often in a military or hierarchical sense. It suggests an ordered submission or placement within a structure.

1CO 14:40

properly:The word translated 'properly' suggests acting in a seemly, decorous, or honorable manner. It implies behavior that is fitting and respectable, maintaining good order and appearance.