1 Corinthians14

Paul instructs the Corinthian church on the proper use of spiritual gifts, prioritizing prophecy over speaking in tongues for the edification of the congregation. He emphasizes that public worship should be understandable and orderly, promoting the spiritual growth of all. While acknowledging the validity of tongues, he stresses the necessity of interpretation for the benefit of the church. All things are to be done decently and in order, for God is not the author of confusion.

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Prophecy Superior to Tongues for Edification

Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritualgifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.

He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

The Need for Intelligibility in Worship

But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?

So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.

If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

Praying with the Spirit and the Mind

Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:

howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues as a Sign; Prophecy Brings Conviction

Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.

If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;

the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

Rules for Orderly Public Worship

What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret:

but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.

But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;

and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;

for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Instructions for Women in the Assembly

let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.

And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

Final Exhortations: Authority and Order

If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

But let all things be done decently and in order.

Study Notes for 1 Corinthians 14

Verse 1

While love (charity) remains the supreme way (Ch. 13), Paul instructs believers to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, prioritizing prophecy because it directly builds up the community.

Verse 2

Speaking in a *tongue* (glossolalia) without interpretation serves only the speaker, as the content is unintelligible to the congregation, speaking 'mysteries' only to God.

Verse 4

This verse clearly defines the functional difference: tongues are self-edifying; prophecy is church-edifying. The goal of corporate worship is mutual upbuilding.

Verse 5

Paul acknowledges the gift of tongues but stresses that the gift of prophecy (inspired, understandable teaching) is functionally superior unless interpretation makes the tongue useful to all.

Verse 9

Paul uses the analogy of unclear sounds (like a trumpet call for battle) to emphasize that communication in the church must be clear and understandable to be profitable.

Verse 11

The term *barbarian* refers to anyone whose language is incomprehensible. Lack of interpretation creates division and confusion rather than unity in the assembly.

Verse 12

The Corinthians were zealous for the impressive gifts, but Paul redirects their ambition toward gifts that maximize edification for the entire church.

Verse 14

Paul differentiates between praying with the *spirit* (possibly ecstatic prayer, glossolalia) and the *understanding* (mind/intellect), arguing that both must be engaged for public benefit.

Verse 16

The *unlearned* (or private person/layman) cannot affirm the prayer or blessing (say 'Amen') if it is delivered in an unknown tongue, making their participation impossible.

Verse 18

Paul validates his own spiritual experience by asserting that he speaks in tongues, preventing the Corinthians from dismissing his arguments as based on ignorance or lack of spirituality.

Verse 20

Paul calls for spiritual maturity, urging them to prioritize thoughtful, rational understanding in their worship practices rather than emotional immaturity or rivalry.

Verse 21

This citation is from Isaiah 28:11-12, where foreign invaders speaking strange languages were a sign of divine judgment against Israel's unbelief.

Verse 22

Tongues function as a sign of judgment/warning to unbelievers (as per the Isaiah quote), while prophecy is primarily for the instruction, comfort, and conviction of believers and visitors.

Verse 23

If outsiders hear only chaotic, unintelligible speech (tongues), they will conclude that the believers are *mad* (frenzied or insane), thus hindering evangelism.

Verse 25

Prophecy reveals the inner thoughts and moral condition of the visitor, leading to conviction and conversion, demonstrating the undeniable presence of God.

Verse 26

This verse describes the disorder in Corinthian worship, where multiple people contributed simultaneously, prompting Paul to establish the overarching principle: *edifying* must be the goal.

Verse 27

Paul limits the use of tongues in public assembly to a maximum of two or three speakers per service, requiring strict regulation and mandatory interpretation.

Verse 29

Similar limits are placed on prophets, and the instructions to 'judge' mean the congregation (or perhaps other prophets) must weigh the content to ensure it aligns with Scripture and Christian truth.

Verse 32

This important principle indicates that spiritual gifts are not uncontrollable ecstatic seizures; the person exercising the gift retains self-control and can submit to the order of the assembly.

Verse 33

The fundamental theological basis for order in worship is the nature of God Himself, who is characterized by *peace* and order, not chaos (*confusion*). This applies universally to all churches.

Verse 34

This command likely addresses a specific disruptive behavior (e.g., questioning or challenging the prophets) rather than prohibiting all forms of women's speech, given the allowance for prayer/prophecy in 11:5.

Verse 35

If women have theological questions related to the public teaching, Paul instructs them to seek clarification privately, maintaining the decorum and structure of the public service.

Verse 36

This sharp rhetorical question challenges the Corinthians' arrogance, reminding them that they are not the source or sole recipients of divine revelation.

Verse 37

Paul asserts the apostolic authority of his instructions, declaring them to be binding *commandments of the Lord*, establishing his regulations as divine law for the church.

Verse 38

This blunt statement means that those who refuse to recognize Paul’s authority will be left in their ignorance and disorder.

Verse 39

Paul summarizes his instruction by reiterating the priority of prophecy but confirming that the gift of tongues is still a valid spiritual gift and should not be forbidden entirely.

Verse 40

This concluding summary applies the principle of order (v. 33) to all aspects of church life, ensuring that worship is conducted in a way that honors God and respects others.

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1 Corinthians14

Prophecy Superior to Tongues for Edification

The Need for Intelligibility in Worship

Praying with the Spirit and the Mind

Tongues as a Sign; Prophecy Brings Conviction

Rules for Orderly Public Worship

Instructions for Women in the Assembly

Final Exhortations: Authority and Order

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