What Does 1 Corinthians 14:40 Mean in the King James?

Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:40 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Order is the arrangement that lets each contribution take a fitting form and place.

THE MEANING

In the gathered community, every contribution has a fitting form and place. The verse holds both together: what happens is becoming in its expression and arranged so the whole can function.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It dissolves the belief that sincere expression needs no shape or place; here, fitting form and order belong together.

THE ROOT

τάξιν

taxin

GROWS FROM

τάσσω

tassō

To arrange, assign, or appoint.

“in order” in this verse is taxin. The word carries the sense of things being deliberately placed, not merely kept tidy. It reveals order as meaningful arrangement: each contribution has a place within the whole.

ALSO GROWS

tassō: Arrange, appoint, or assign.

τάσσω

The root shows that order involves placing things in relation to one another.

tagma: An arranged group or rank.

τάγμα

This branch shows how arrangement can give distinct parts a place within a larger whole.

εὐσχημόνως

euschēmonōs

GROWS FROM

σχῆμα

schēma

Form, shape, or outward manner.

The word comes from the family of form and fitting appearance, so “decently” carries the sense of something taking a becoming shape. Beside taxis, it gives order two dimensions: fitting form and deliberate arrangement.

ALSO GROWS

euschēmōn: Well-formed, seemly, or fitting.

εὐσχήμων

This related form brings out the verse’s concern for an expression suited to its setting.

metaschēmatizō: Change or transform form.

μετασχηματίζω

This branch makes the shared idea of form visible and helps distinguish fitting expression from mere sequence.

THE PATTERN

Wholeness takes shape when distinct parts receive fitting form and place.

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

Proverbs 24:3 · KJVA house takes shape through wisdom and understanding, which give its parts a coherent relation.

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

1 Corinthians 12:18 · KJVEach member has a place within the body, so the whole is formed through their distinct positions.

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Colossians 2:5 · KJVThe community’s order appears as a coherent pattern alongside its steadfastness.

THE THREAD

As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 5:6 · KJV

The same Greek word, ⁨τάξις⁩ (taxis; arrangement, appointed order), stands behind “in order” here and “after the order” in Hebrews. There it names an appointed pattern; here it shows how each expression in the assembly can take its place.

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