Gathered: Whenever You Come Together

How is it then, brothers and sisters (adelphoi)? Whenever you (y’all) come together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification / building up.” 1 Corinthians 14:26 (amplified and emphasis added)

I love 1 Corinthians 14! The more I study it, the more amazing it becomes. It has been a fascinating and freeing journey. 

My journey with this chapter began in 2008 with 1 Corinthians 14:1 and Paul’s encouragement to “eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy.” From there, my focus shifted to verses 14 -15 and praying and singing in the Spirit. Several years ago, I became especially interested in verses 26 and 31 and Paul’s repeated emphasis on each and all participating.

At various points along the way, I also studied 1 Corinthians 14:34–35—the two verses specifically about women that this chapter is often known for. But more recently, my journey has shifted again: I’ve started looking at the chapter as a whole. Oh the irony!

1 Corinthians 14 is probably best known for the two verses that have often been used to silence women in the church. Yet those two verses have received enormous attention at the expense of the other 38 verses, which repeatedly emphasize the participation of the whole gathered community. That is not a minor theme. It is one of the dominant themes of the chapter. Paul repeatedly describes believers coming together and contributing in different ways for the purpose of building one another up. The Greek word synérchomai (συνέρχομαι), used throughout the chapter, means “to come together, assemble, or gather.” (1)

Paul keeps using the same notes and chords so that every gathering of believers is a beautiful symphony. The “ALL” is one note. Paul uses this Greek word 12 times in this chapter, often referring to the family of believers:

• He wants all of y’all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy (v 5).
• If all speak in tongues and an unbeliever comes in… if all prophesy… convinced by all… convicted by all… (vs 23–25).
• “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged” (v 31).
• “…as in all the churches of the saints.” (v 33)

Adding to that note, Paul also uses 18 plural Greek “y’all”s! One of my discoveries is that there is a YALL version of the Bible!!!  Paul writes:

“So it is with y’all. Since y’all are zealous for spiritual gifts, y’all should seek to excel in building up the church.” (v. 12)

That word translated “excel” is perisseuō - to abound, overflow, be in abundance, or excel. (2)

So far, that gives us dozens of words emphasizing the collective nature of the gathered church. Paul also uses ekklesia repeatedly for the church, congregation, or assembly; adelphoi (“brothers and sisters”) several times; and other inclusive terms such as tis (“anyone”) and ho (“the one”). (I hope to share a verse-by-verse list with additional comparisons between translations in the comments, highlighting the 50+ words and phrases that contribute to this picture.)

This is the heart of the Ekklesia, that whenever people are gathering together as the Family of God, that all may participate in meaningful ways that encourage and teach everyone.

What does this look like for us whenever we come together as the Family of God, as God’s Ekklesia? (3)

Our gatherings are meant to be orderly, not chaotic, so it’s meaningful for all. It’s meant to collaborative and encouraging for all! The gathering is to build up faith and unity in harmony with one another as God’s Kingdom Ekklesia. Anyone who contributes and participates does so in a responsible and mutually edifying manner.

How can we create more space in our Sunday worship gatherings, and in other gatherings of believers, for participatory worship, sharing, testimony, prayer, teaching, and encouragement? How might we make room for people to share what the Spirit is teaching them and what God is doing in their lives?  Paul gives us plenty of permission! 1 Corinthians 11 & 12 along with Romans 12 and 15 also are very inclusive with similar emphasis on ALL!

I am part of a chaplain’s group in our community, and our gatherings give a place and space for everyone to share what God is teaching them along with what He is doing in our lives and ministry. It is a beautiful and encouraging expression of God’s family coming together where all can share, learn and be mutually encouraged.

That makes me wonder: What are some ways you have experienced this beautiful fellowship/koinonia of the priesthood of all believers? (4)

Let’s make our gatherings into a beautiful symphony together!