After the introductory summary of verse 26, verses 27-28 are balanced by verses 29-30, and each pair of verses includes a contrast. Paul discusses speaking in tongues in verse 28, and not speaking in tongues in verse 29. In verse 29 he talks about prophesying, and in verse 30 his theme is not prophesying.

This verse is conditional. The content suggests that it describes a situation that had often arisen in Corinth. Paul is concerned with real circumstances, not with what might happen.

Speak (Good News Bible‘s “going to speak”): the verb in Greek is present, not future, though naturally Paul’s instructions could not be put into effect until his readers received them.

Two or at most three: the Greek implies that Paul means “on each occasion.” Verse 31 shows that Paul is not suggesting a limitation in the number of Christian prophets in the community.

Each in turn is literally “one,” implying here “one at a time.”

Let one may be rendered “someone else must” (Good News Bible) or “let another person.”

Translators may add the words “what is being said” (Good News Bible) after interpret.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .