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1 Corinthians 14:26

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¶ 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.

How {G5101} is it {G2076} then {G3767}, brethren {G80}? when {G3752} ye come together {G4905}, every one {G1538} of you {G5216} hath {G2192} a psalm {G5568}, hath {G2192} a doctrine {G1322}, hath {G2192} a tongue {G1100}, hath {G2192} a revelation {G602}, hath {G2192} an interpretation {G2058}. Let {G1096} all things {G3956} be done {G1096} unto {G4314} edifying {G3619}.

What is our conclusion, brothers? Whenever you come together, let everyone be ready with a psalm or a teaching or a revelation, or ready to use his gift of tongues or give an interpretation; but let everything be for edification.

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.

What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Commentary

1 Corinthians 14:26 serves as a pivotal verse in Paul's extensive instructions to the Corinthian church regarding the proper conduct of corporate worship and the use of spiritual gifts. After emphasizing the superiority of love in chapter 13 and the specific value of prophecy over tongues (when uninterpreted) in earlier parts of chapter 14, Paul now addresses the practical organization of their gatherings.

Context

The church in Corinth was dynamic but also somewhat chaotic, particularly in its public assemblies. It appears that many believers, eager to exercise their spiritual gifts, would speak or contribute simultaneously, leading to disorder rather than spiritual growth. This verse introduces Paul's summary of the typical issues they faced and sets the stage for his corrective guidelines that follow. He acknowledges the individual contributions—a psalm (singing), a doctrine (teaching), a tongue (speaking in an unknown language), a revelation (divine insight), an interpretation (of tongues)—but immediately imposes a crucial principle for their use.

Key Themes

  • Diversity of Gifts in Corporate Worship: The verse highlights the participatory nature of early Christian gatherings, where various members contributed through different spiritual gifts. This underscores the belief that every believer has something valuable to offer to the body of Christ, as further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
  • Order and Decorum: Implicit in Paul's question, "How is it then, brethren?", is a concern about the lack of order. While encouraging participation, he aims to regulate it to prevent confusion and ensure that the Spirit's work is not hindered by human disorganization. This theme culminates in Paul's directive in 1 Corinthians 14:40.
  • The Primacy of Edification: The concluding phrase, "Let all things be done unto edifying," is the overarching principle. This means that every action, every gift exercised, every contribution in a church gathering must ultimately aim to build up, strengthen, and instruct the entire body of believers. This aligns with Paul's consistent teaching that gifts are for the common good, not individual display, as also seen in 1 Corinthians 14:4.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "edifying" is oikodomē (οἰκοδομή), which literally means "building" or "construction." In a spiritual sense, it refers to the spiritual growth and strengthening of individuals and the church as a whole. Paul frequently uses this term to emphasize the purpose of ministry and spiritual gifts: they are given not for personal glory or chaotic expression, but to construct and reinforce the spiritual house of God, the church. This concept of building up the body of Christ is central to Pauline theology.

Practical Application

For contemporary church gatherings, 1 Corinthians 14:26 remains highly relevant. It encourages active participation from members, recognizing that the Holy Spirit gifts all believers for service. However, it equally stresses the necessity of order and, most importantly, that all contributions—whether through music, teaching, sharing, or prayer—must serve the purpose of mutual edification. This verse challenges churches to cultivate environments where spiritual gifts can be exercised freely but always with a focus on building up the community in love and truth, ensuring that visitors and new believers are not confused but rather drawn to the orderly presence of God (as suggested in 1 Corinthians 14:25).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ephesians 5:19 (23 votes)

    Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

  • Romans 14:19 (15 votes)

    Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:7 (13 votes)

    But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:10 (13 votes)

    To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (12 votes)

    ¶ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

  • Ephesians 4:16 (10 votes)

    From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:12 (7 votes)

    Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.