“All things should be done decently and in order.” (1st Corinthians 14:40)

“All things should be done decently and in order.” (1st Corinthians 14:40)

The Greek word for “decently” is euschemonos, which means “pertaining to being proper, with the implication of being pleasing.” The Greek word for “order” is taxis and means “right order, good order, or done in order or in an orderly fashion.”

Many feel that this command pertains solely to the Church and how it conducts itself in hierarchy, liturgical worship, accomplishes things. I believe, however, that this command goes well beyond that scope to include each, and every Christian and how they live and live their life.

Because of sin, we exist amidst such chaos in this world, but our God is a God of order Who came to reestablish that order between us, each other, and with God. Our Faith has an order of belief. The Godhead enjoys a sense of order, as does heaven itself – for everything written about heaven in scripture points to a distinct structure and order. God enacted Creation in a specific order and set man to rule over it in order; maintaining that order by naming everything (animals, trees, plants, fruits, etc.).

Thus, for all Christians, there should be order in our family, in our home, amongst our possessions, and in how we conduct ourselves. Maintaining cleanliness, neatness, and not cluttering us and our homes with that which takes our focus off of God.

Fr. John