Decent and In Order

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church about doing things “God’s way.”

That included: no division in the church [chapter 1], true wisdom [chapter 2], service and eternal rewards [chapter 3], true apostles [chapter 4], sexual behavior [chapter 5], legal matters [chapter 6], marriage [chapter 7], food and idolatry [chapter 8], leaders as servants [chapter 9], God first [chapter 10], authority and communion [chapter 11], spiritual matters [chapters 12-14], the return of Christ [chapter 15].

These “spiritual matters” of chapters 12-14 discuss:
• Spiritual abilities and manifestations [12:1-11]
• The body of Christ working together [12:12-31]
• God’s love as the proper motivation for using spiritual abilities [13:1-13]
• Specifics on speaking in tongues, interpretation, and prophecy [14:1-39]

After all of this, Paul concludes with a key statement.

1 Corinthians 14:40:
Let all things be done decently and in order.

Let’s look at each of these concepts and see how they fit together. What does it mean to be “decent” and “in order”?

Decent—well formed

The Greek word for “decent” is euschēmonōs and literally means in a way that is “well-formed.” We get the English word “scheme” from this Greek root, meaning a specific design or arrangement. Its basic meaning is to do things in the proper way. This adverb is used in two other places in the New Testament.

Romans 13:13:
Let us walk honestly [euschēmonōs], as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

1 Thessalonians 4:12:
That ye may walk honestly [euschēmonōs], toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

All three uses in in Paul’s letters show that believers are to conduct themselves in a proper manner that is open and honest.

In order—properly set

The Greek words for “in order” are kata taxis and literally mean “according to what is orderly.” The word taxis comes from the Greek verb tassō, which means to arrange in an orderly manner. Taxis is used of a priestly order of service in Luke 1:8 and refers to the “order” of Melchisedec [Hebrews 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:11,17,21].

Paul was thankful for the way the believers in Colosse ordered their lives.

Colossians 2:5:
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order [taxis], and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Decent and in order—well-formed and orderly

After instructing the Corinthians about how spiritual abilities are to be used, Paul concluded with an overall principle: “Whatever you do, let it be well-formed and properly set.” In other words, God wants us to do what is right and in the right order. That can apply to many aspects of our lives.

Today, let’s take our time to do things in a proper way. And let’s do them in an orderly manner that glorifies our heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.