In the synagogue meetings it was customary for people to sit down to listen to God’s Word being taught, and for the teacher to stand up (see Acts 13:14–16). When Paul speaks of another sitting there,
he is referring to another prophet. Clearly the Spirit could limit the speaking time of one prophet by giving a revelation to another.
The term revelation
does not necessarily refer to a teaching that is completely new. It may also be a deeper insight or a Spirit-prompted application of truth. There is probably much similarity between the prophets of the New Testament and the preachers of God’s Word today, who, like Timothy, devote themselves to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching
(1 Timothy 4:13). After all, the purpose of prophecy was that the church will learn and be encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:31; see also 1 Corinthians 14:3). Such is also the purpose of preaching (1 Timothy 6:2; 2 Timothy 4:2).
30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.