BEHAVIOUR IN MEETINGS
Control of Speech, Decency and Order
1 Corinthians chapter 14
Control of speech (verses 1 to 25)
The Corinthian church is encouraged to follow charity, as explained in the previous chapter, and to seek gifts earnestly, but especially that they prophesy.
A language that nobody understands is useless for communication, although it may be understood by God (who knows our hearts). He who speaks an unknown tongue should pray that he may interpret (learn the language known in the church), otherwise it is of no benefit to the church.
Even in prayer, or singing, there must be control over the mind and use of words which are understandable to others, so that those who are present may accompany the prayer or hymn.
Paul thanks God for being able to speak more languages than all those of the Corinthian church, but says he prefers to speak in the church five intelligible words of his choice to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a language unknown to them. The gift of tongues was given to believers as a sign to unbelieving Jewish people, who would hear the Gospel from the lips of foreigners whose natural language was another (Isaiah 28:11,12).
On the other hand, he who has the gift of prophecy edifies the church, as he speaks for edification, exhortation and consolation. The church also benefits from revelation, science and doctrine transmitted in understandable language.
If all believers in a meeting are talking in an incomprehensible language, any ignorant person or unbeliever hearing them will say they are mad. But if all prophesy, God's presence and the message of the Gospel will become evident to outsiders.
(Although the gift of prophecy in the sense of new revelation directly from God together with the gifts of tongues and science had been given for a limited time, according to chapter 13, the gifts of edification, exhortation and comfort mentioned here still continue to be given for the edification of the church).
Decency and order in the meetings (verses 26 to 40)
The free participation in services is indicated; it should not, however, become disorderly because everything must be done for edification.
Two or at most three may speak in a foreign language, in turn, provided there is an interpreter: if not, they must keep quiet in church.
Not more than two or three prophets may speak, and the others should make judgement (discerning whether the message is really of God).
If anything is revealed to someone who sits by, let the first keep silent. All may prophesy one after another, for everyone to learn and be encouraged.
The activities of the prophets are under their own control; so they should never demand audience claiming to be under the influence of a power over which they have no control.
Women should keep themselves silent, because it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Staying submissive, they should ask their husbands at home if they wish to learn something (see also 1 Timothy 2:11-14). This includes tongues and prophecy, for the same Greek word “to speak” is used in verses 27 and 29.
The Corinthian church was not the sole repository of truth, and any believer who considers himself a prophet, or spiritual, must acknowledge that these instructions are the Lord's commandment. If a person refuses to acknowledge the inspiration of these writings and to bow to them obediently, then there is no alternative but for him to continue in his ignorance.
Believers should seek earnestly to prophesy, and should not forbid speaking in other languages (provided they are interpreted.) But everything must be done decently and in order.
R David Jones
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?
9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
21 In the law it is written: "WITH MEN OF OTHER TONGUES AND OTHER LIPS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE; AND YET, FOR ALL THAT, THEY WILL NOT HEAR ME," says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
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.
1 Corinthians chapter 14