We now get instruction on worship services. We should not treat this as a set of rules, but of principles to be followed and adapted to our own particular situations.
First, each had something to bring. Now in a large church it is clearly not possible for everyone to share something, not unless we are going to have ultra-long services! In fact one gets the impression that at times in Corinth they may have just been clamouring to have their say, not so that they could build up the church, but so that they could get noticed. However, everyone in the church has a contribution of some sort to give. That is why small groups of whatever sort are extremely useful, so that everyone has an opportunity. Note also that it is not "greater" to share something in the main church service, than in a small group meeting. You do not know the effect of what you share. Maybe something shared in a small group will have an enormous effect on one person.
The key principle Paul adopts here is order. He refers again to tongues, saying there is no point whatsoever in someone speaking in tongues unless someone else has the gift of interpretation, so everyone else then knows what has been said and can benefit from it.
Prophets too were to act in an orderly way. An important point here is that the prophet (and for that matter someone speaking in tongues) is in control of themselves. The Spirit gives self-control.
Finally he says that women should be silent. Now some say that this is a lasting ordinance. Others say that was an instruction given to address disruption of worship by noisy women. Given that Corinth seems to have been a rather disorderly place, I am inclined to the latter view, especially as 1 Cor 11:5 gives instruction for women prophesying in church. No doubt I am also influenced by the fact that I have heard some very good preaching from women.
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