26 What then is it, brethren? whenever ye may come together, each of you hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? let all things be for building up; 27 if an 'unknown' tongue any one do speak, by two, or at the most, by three, and in turn, and let one interpret; 28 and if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in an assembly, and to himself let him speak, and to God. 29 And prophets—let two or three speak, and let the others discern, 30 and if to another sitting 'anything' may be revealed, let the first be silent; 31 for ye are able, one by one, all to prophesy, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted, 32 and the spiritual gift of prophets to prophets are subject, 33 for God is not 'a God' of tumult, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
34 Your women in the assemblies let them be silent, for it hath not been permitted to them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith; 35 and if they wish to learn anything, at home their own husbands let them question, for it is a shame to women to speak in an assembly.
36 From you did the word of God come forth? or to you alone did it come? 37 if any one doth think to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write to you—that of the Lord they are commands; 38 and if any one is ignorant—let him be ignorant; 39 so that, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and to speak with tongues do not forbid; 40 let all things be done decently and in order.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:26-33
(Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-33)
Religious exercises in public assemblies should have this view; Let all be done to edifying. As to the speaking in an unknown tongue, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church be edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and this one after the other, not all at once. The man who is inspired by the Spirit of God will observe order and decency in delivering his revelations. God never teaches men to neglect their duties, or to act in any way unbecoming their age or station.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:34-40
(Read 1 Corinthians 14:34-40)
When the apostle exhorts Christian women to seek information on religious subjects from their husbands at home, it shows that believing families ought to assemble for promoting spiritual knowledge. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; and if their revelations are against those of the apostle, they do not come from the same Spirit. The way to keep peace, truth, and order in the church, is to seek that which is good for it, to bear with that which is not hurtful to its welfare, and to keep up good behaviour, order, and decency.