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.

Prophecy Superior to Tongues for Edification

1
Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. ​
2
For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. ​
3
But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4
He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. ​
5
Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up. ​

The Need for Intelligibility in Worship

6
But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
7
Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
8
For if the shofar gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?
9
So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. ​
10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11
If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me. ​
12
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. ​

Praying with the Spirit and the Mind

13
Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
14
For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ​
15
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.
16
Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say? ​
17
For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
18
I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. ​
19
However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.

Tongues as a Sign; Prophecy Brings Conviction

20
Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature. ​
21
In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.” ​
22
Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe. ​
23
If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy? ​
24
But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.
25
And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed. ​

Rules for Orderly Public Worship

26
What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. ​
27
If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. ​
28
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29
Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern. ​
30
But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.
31
For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
32
The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, ​
33
for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the holy ones, ​

Instructions for Women in the Assembly

34
let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the Torah also says. ​
35
If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly. ​
36
What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone? ​

Final Exhortations: Authority and Order

37
If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. ​
38
But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. ​
39
Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. ​
40
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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