Confusion Is Not One Of God's Characteristics
In the beginning, before God put order and meaning into the world, it was dark, shapeless and chaotic. It needed God's Word to bring it to life. And so God brought order out of chaos and provided His world with light and purpose (Genesis 1:1-5). He continues to do that in the lives of His people and His church (John 10:10). Confusion and disorder are not in God's nature and should not be a feature of God's church. Yes, we live in a muddled and messy world where the stain of sin has spoiled everything and everybody; but God wants to bring peace to this restless world through His Body, the church (2 Timothy 2:22).
Paul’s instruction in these verses has a simple purpose: to bring God's order and purpose into a dysfunctional church. In those early days there was no set church service, but believers came together to build each other up in Christ - different people contributing by teaching, encouraging the others to sing a hymn which was known, or by expressing their hearts through speaking in tongues with others interpreting. It was expected that each believer would contribute and not be an onlooker.
However, it was senseless for more than one person to speak at the same time: the rest of the church would not receive a clear message. Contributions in an unknown language were not appropriate in the church meeting if nobody could understand. If a person with the spiritual gift of interpretation was present, the whole church could benefit; otherwise Paul advised the person to be silent in the meeting.
Some church meetings today may be more formal, but each of us should still be prepared to share what the Lord has said to us through His Word and Spirit, or what He has done for us (Malachi 3:16). We may not be able to say everything publically but we can share with someone in the fellowship. We are not spectators; as part of the Body of Christ we are all players. In churches where there is greater freedom, these apostolic instructions should encourage self-restraint in those who are more extrovert, and also be an encouragement to those who are more reserved.
