1 Corinthians 14:32

Subject to the prophets. Apparently there were those who claimed that they could not remain silent when under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This contention Paul flatly denies. True prophets had control over their own minds and could speak or remain silent at will. Inspiration does not take away individuality and free choice. The human agent expresses in his own style and thought the truths that have been revealed to him (see GC v-vii).

Confusion. God is not a being who either has in Himself or produces disorder, disunion, discord, or confusion. The true worship of God will not result in disorder of any kind. This verse presents a general, governing principle of Christianity that is derived from the nature of God. He is the God of peace, and it is not to be taught that He could be pleased by a form of worship characterized by confusion of any kind (see Rom. 15:33; 16:20; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20). Christianity tends to promote order (see 1 Cor. 14:40). No one who is submissive to the leading of the Holy Spirit will be disposed to engage in scenes of disorder and confusion such as that which would result from several persons speaking at the same time in tongues or in prophecy. The worshiper will be ready to express his love and gratitude to God in prayer and testimony, but he will express it with seriousness, tenderness, and a genuine respect for the maintenance of order in the house of God, and not with a desire to interrupt and disturb the dignified worship of God.

All churches. This principle of orderly procedure in the worship of God, Paul notes, prevails in all the churches, and should therefore be accepted in Corinth also. God is the author of peace in all places, and true believers in Him will seek to preserve peace in worshipping Him, by restraining any desire to exalt self by an untimely display of the endowments of the Spirit given to them.

Some editors and translators connect the phrase “as in all churches of the saints” with v. 34 (see RSV). It is impossible to decide with finality to which clause the phrase properly belongs.