When it comes to our worship services, we tend to emphasize what we are to do. As we study through the New Testament, we see certain “acts” that were part of the assemblies of the churches in the first century under the guidance of the apostles.* Yet in his first letter to the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul also described the manner in which these assemblies were to be conducted.
“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40, NKJV).
What does it mean to conduct our assemblies in this way? It is important that we understand this so we can worship God acceptably and not misapply Paul’s instruction.
Defining Terms
The Greek word translated decently (NKJV) or properly (NASB) means “in a seemly manner” (Thayer). It is used elsewhere in the New Testament to refer to proper behavior (Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12).
The word translated in order (NKJV) denotes a “due or right order” or something done in an “orderly condition” (Thayer). The same word is translated as “good discipline” in Paul’s letter to Colossae (Colossians 2:5).
Therefore, to do things “decently and in order” is to do what is right in the sight of God while having our desires and emotions under control.
Understanding the Context
This instruction was given as Paul’s conclusion to a discussion about how the Corinthian church conducted their assemblies. It is important to note that this was written during the time of miraculous spiritual gifts. These are not ongoing today,** but there are still important principles for us to consider in this discussion that will apply to our worship services today.
Paul made several points before bringing them to the conclusion about doing things “decently and in order.” Let us notice them briefly:
- Prophecy was preferable to tongue-speaking because people could understand it (1 Corinthians 14:6-19). Many in the Corinthian church desired to speak in tongues, yet Paul explained that the usefulness of tongue-speaking was limited. They were of no benefit to anyone unless (1) there was an interpreter or (2) the hearer spoke the language given to the tongue-speaker. Yet prophets speaking in the native language of the hearers could provide them with a clear and immediate benefit.
- They were to be mindful of visitors in their assembly (1 Corinthians 14:23-25). The assemblies were not to be conducted in such a way that visitors thought they were “mad.” Instead, the teaching offered during the service should be able to convict the unbeliever.
- All things were to be done for edification (1 Corinthians 14:26). The assembly was not about impressing others, entertaining an audience, or experiencing some emotional high. It was to encourage and build up those who were present (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25).
- A limited number should speak in any given assembly, and others could wait until another time (1 Corinthians 14:27-33). It is particularly important to note that Paul gave this instruction during the time of miraculous spiritual gifts. Many religious services today feature “uncontrollable” outbursts that are erroneously attributed to the work of the Spirit. Yet even in the first century, when disciples were actually doing miraculous things (prophesying, tongue-speaking, etc.) by the power of the Spirit, they could still control whether they spoke or not.
- Restrictions were placed upon women speaking in the assembly (1 Corinthians 14:34-35). It was not open for everyone to teach and lead during the worship service.
- No one was permitted to speak unless they recognized the apostles’ authority expressed in their word (1 Corinthians 14:37-38). As Paul explained, these words ultimately came from the Lord because they were given by inspiration.
What This Means for Us Today
We are not living in the time of miraculous spiritual gifts, yet we must still conduct our assemblies “decently and in order.” Now that we understand what these terms mean and Paul’s points in the context, what applications can we make for us today?
- Assemblies should be conducted at a scheduled time so the members of the church know when to be there. Earlier in this letter, when Paul was giving instructions regarding the Lord’s Supper, he told the brethren to “wait for one another” (1 Corinthians 11:33). This implies an expectation that members will be there and also that there is a set time so they know when to be there.
- The things done in the assembly must be in harmony with the pattern handed down by the apostles. Jesus said we are to “worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Since the apostles wrote down “the Lord’s commandment” (1 Corinthians 14:37), we are to do those things that are found in the New Testament.
- There should be an “order of worship,” so there is no confusion regarding who is to speak or lead at a particular time. In this context, Paul told these brethren, “God is not a God of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Therefore, our assemblies in which we gather to worship God should not be marked by confusion.
- Those who speak or lead in worship must do so in a clear, understandable, self-controlled, and edifying way. We must use “great plainness of speech” (2 Corinthians 3:12, KJV) and exercise control over our emotions as we “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
As it is important for us to know what it means for our assemblies to be conducted “decently and in order,” we also need to consider what this does NOT mean:
- It does NOT mean that our assemblies must be lifeless and without emotion. God’s people were condemned for offering “lip service” and serving Him “by rote” rather than from the heart (Isaiah 29:13). We need to avoid this as well. It is good to have an emotional response and heartfelt connection in our worship to God, but we must not be driven by emotionalism.
- It does NOT mean that we cannot alter the “order of worship,” either for a single assembly or on an ongoing basis. After all, no specific “order of worship” is given in the Scriptures. So the order can be changed as long as we do not add unauthorized practices or remove what is instructed in the New Testament. However, if this order is altered, it should be clearly communicated and agreed upon in order to avoid confusion.
- It does NOT mean that a congregation cannot move a particular worship service to a different time or location. A church may choose to meet at any time on the first day of the week to worship and observe the Lord’s Supper, as well as other days for singing, praying, and teaching. Jesus also taught that the place of worship is irrelevant (cf. John 4:21-24). The auditorium of a building owned by a local church is not “holy ground.” The congregation could choose to assemble at any other place for worship.
- It does NOT mean that emergencies cannot be addressed. When Paul met with the church in Troas, the assembly was interrupted by a young man falling out of a window (Acts 20:7-10). Reacting to that emergency did not violate the principle of doing things “decently and in order.”
- It does NOT mean that false teaching should go unaddressed when it is taught in the assembly. Paul told Titus that false teachers “must be silenced” (Titus 1:11). This does not mean passively concluding the assembly in which they promoted their error and possibly addressing it at some future time. Paul told the Galatians that he “did not yield in subjection to [the false teachers] for even an hour” (Galatians 2:5). When this has to be done, the false teacher is the one guilty of disrupting the assembly, not the one(s) who refute him.
Conclusion
When we assemble, we need to do what is pleasing to the Lord. Yet we also need to do those things in the proper manner – “decently and in order.” This does not mean we are dogmatically fighting for human tradition or refusing to do anything outside our comfort zone. Instead, it means we do what is right in the sight of God and not allow our personal desires, internal emotions, or outward behavior to get in the way of anyone (ourselves or others) worshipping God in spirit and truth.
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*For more on this point, see the article, Why We Do What We Do in Worship.
**For more on this point, see the article, Do Miracles Happen Today? Related: Is Divine Revelation Ongoing Today?
