Protocol for Practicing Spiritual Gifts

Paul steps back from a strict focus on prophecy and tongues in verses 26–33a as he considers more generally the practice of Christian worship. Essentially, Paul delineates regulations for orderly assembly and worship. Behind all the particular instructions about worship practices, however, is the basic theme Paul sets out at the end of verse 26, “All of these things must be done for the strengthening of the church.”

14:26 The modern reader of Paul’s letter gains a glimpse into the worship of the early church in the initial lines of this verse. Paul refers to specific elements of early Christian worship: a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Paul’s Greek is telling at this point: Hymn is psalmos, perhaps a re…