Order, Order

1 Corinthians 14:34-40   
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.  36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.  39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

The first part of this seems to be addressing a problem in the church at Corinth specifically.  Most likely there were some women there stepping in to evaluate the use of gifts like prophecy, taking on leadership roles reserved for male elders, and were told to go back to the rule of doing things right and in God’s order, not to keep them from speaking at all.  Paul again reminds them of his authority to say these things, for they are what God says, not himself.  He realizes some refuse to accept this in willful ignorance, however.  The end summation is for all the gifts and working in Christ’s body to be done decently and orderly, with grace and dignity worthy of His children.