Paul emphasizes that prophets must speak one by one and not simultaneously (see also 1 Corinthians 14:27). The reason for this is that all the church members must be able to learn and be encouraged by the message. Paul may also be thinking of the prophet’s own need to learn, since no prophet possesses all knowledge.
The Greek word for learn
(manthano) indicates an active exertion to learn. In the synagogues, such learning would take place by means of listening, questioning, and discussion (see Acts 17:2, Acts 17:17; Acts 18:4, Acts 18:19; Acts 19:8). From the verb manthano, the noun mathete is derived, which means disciple.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,