NBBC SS: 1 Corinthians 14 (Part 3)

Introduction: Last week, we reflected on the biblical gift of tongues along with Paul’s main emphasis in this passage: Let all things be done for edification.

Importantly, Paul begins 1 Corinthians 14:1 not with encouraging the Corinthians to desire all of the spiritual gifts. Instead, Paul encourages the Corinthians, and the church at North Bedford, to desire spiritual gifts for just the right circumstance that would lead to edification. Among these gifts, prophecy most effectively does this because it not only edifies, but also exhorts (encourages perseverance) and consoles (comforts).

Let’s pick it up in 1 Corinthians 14:20 where Paul really begins to bring home his discussion concerning tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:20-25 20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.”

While there is a lot to unpack here, there are really two primary things that I want to unpack for us.

What is it that Paul concludes about tongues here?

They are a sign to unbelievers.

Notice that Paul is building his argument based on the authority of the Scripture, the OT (cf. Is 28:11).

It’s no wonder that the very first use of the biblical gift of tongues in the NT was among unbelievers (cf. Ac 2:4)!

Now Paul is getting at where tongues are most naturally at home and to be used, among unbelievers!

The one who would enter the church and hears tongues being spoken, whether unbeliever or new believer, would be confused and notice that something was out of place!

Why?

Because tongues are most at home outside the church rather than inside the church, though tongues can occur within the church as this hypothetical circumstance and Paul’s instruction will later highlight.

This is a critical distinction between biblical tongues and the modern charismatic practice of tongues that occurs within a so-called church service.

Therefore, given the example that Paul cited and the reality of confusion that would lead to being designated crazy by unbelievers and new believers, we conclude that tongues are most at home outside the church.

The other item that I really want to point out is what Paul concludes about prophesy here.

Brothers and sisters, Paul doesn’t just say that prophesy is the best suited gift for use within the church service.

He states that even new believers and unbelievers notice something about the use of this gift: God is at work among you (cf. 1 Cor 14:25)!

Brothers and sisters, Chad has shared with me stories of visitors making those same observations about this church (i.e. fellowship)!

What is the danger that Paul is pointing out that the Corinthians are facing?

Immaturity.

Importantly, this immaturity pertains to the spiritual activities that Paul has addressed.

Falling on heels of 1 Cor 14:18-19, prophecy over tongues (Corinthians preferred latter).

In other words, a mark of developing spiritual maturity concerns that of one’s desire to edify others.

What does maturity look like in spiritual activity?

Believers who love others seeking the Lord for just the right equipping to minster what others need in that moment either in proclaiming the Gospel to unbelievers or edifying saints.

Brothers and sisters, we’re more concerned about pleasing the Lord in what He’s given us to do rather than the exercise of the gift itself!

Why does Paul have to address that the Corinthians “in evil be infants?”

This is lacking in acquaintance with the various sins to be performed.

Because they weren’t infants in that!

We have catalogued the issues before but we know that they are many!

Primarily, the issue here is elevating certain spiritual gifts over others rather than that which edifies.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Brothers and sisters, what Paul is most naturally talking about is a church service.

When we gather together, we have songs to sing.

When we gather, there are those who have earnestly sought the Lord to understand His Word better so that we can be edified.

What do we want to be the goal when we gather?

Edification.

Notice, that Paul is not commanding anything here but edification.

Is edification something that occurs actively with intentionality or passively in that it is something that happens to us?

It’s active!

Brothers and sisters, while coming to church will require discernment of the things that we hear (i.e. 1 Cor 14:29-33), it is our active involvement in the life of the church to build it up to be more like her Savior.

That is, the Church is not under compulsion to do anything that is not edifying.

This latter observation is also going to factor significantly before we conclude this passage.

27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

It’s almost as if here Paul is suggesting a hypothetical circumstance.

If someone comes to church claiming that they are speaking in tongues here’s the max number who can share and the necessity of having an interpreter handy.

In other words, the hypothetical nature suggests that while it could happen it’s not ordinary or required for the Church’s experience of edification.

Paul is building off of his earlier statement in 1 Cor 14:2.

That is, Paul is returning to his statement initially begun in 1 Cor 14:2 concerning both the personal experience of the biblical gift of tongues and the Church’s experience with the former during a church service.

Hence, Paul addresses how tongues can be spoken to God and others do not understand, in a church service.

What I find compelling here is the restraint that Paul suggests can and must be exercised in the biblical gift of tongues.

Order/structure: “by two or at the most three, and each in turn … one must interpret.”

Self-control: “keep silent.”

Thus, the ecstatic or uncontrolled nature of the modern use of tongues in the charismatic church is inconsistent with the biblical gift of tongues.

29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Paul is repeating the idea that he prompted earlier about orderliness and structure.

However, there are huge differences between these verses and the verses concerning tongues.

First, Paul says “Let two or three prophets speak.”

Paul does not use a conditional statement initially in v. 29.

The conditional statement will come in 1 Cor 14:30.

This statement is actually a command.

**Hence, Paul expects that edification, exhortation, and consolation are all part of the church’s gathering whenever it comes together!

Though prophecy may not have an interpreter, it is under accountability.

It demands evaluation (1 Cor 14:30).

It is under the authority of the spiritual leadership within your church (1 Cor 14:32).

Ultimately, Who is the One at work bringing clarity for the Church’s edification?

Our Lord.

Who is the God of peace, rather than confusion.

This is really fascinating that Paul does not say that God is a god of clarity/understanding.

Instead, he says that God is a god of peace[?].

Paul actually really likes this title for the Lord, using it 7 times across Scripture, primarily in his closings in his letters.

What I believe that Paul is suggesting here is that God is the only One Who can resolve conflict by bringing clarity where there was once confusion and strife.

Think about it, Paul has to provide limitations among the Corinthians concerning their exercise of spiritual gifts.

We already know that the Corinthians had disputes among themselves (teachers, specifically) and that they were seeking secular courts to resolve those.

When edification is our goal, and we’re relying on the Holy Spirit to give us exactly what we need when Jesus provides the opportunity to exercise it, trusting God the Father to make it effective because we love one another, then why would we not expect the Father to resolve all conflicts so that the Church would become more like her Savior?

What does this look like in the Church?

I most naturally think of our Sunday School classes or our Bible Studies with the young adults, men, women, and Wednesdays.

You all have seen this in our class.

I say something.

Someone raises their hand to share an observation.

Ultimately, what is it that Paul is pointing to?

God has given to the Church what it needs to be edified, encouraged to pursue pleasing the Lord!

He has given it to us in a way that we can exercise self-control, demonstrating that the Spirit of God is in us (cf. Gal 5:23).

34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

In hearing these verses, we might be tempted to think, “Ok, our female classmates can never ask a question or Stacey can never take prayer requests in our class again.”

I don’t believe that’s what Paul is getting at here.

Instead, I believe that Paul is prohibiting a woman from exercising teaching authority over her male counterparts.

First, Paul expects women to pray and prophesy according to 1 Corinthians 11:5; so, there’s some expectation of women using their voices in church.

1 Cor 14:26, “assemble” suggests whole church; hence, no restrictions and the implication is that women would be there “praying and prophesying”.

Additionally, Paul uses the phrase “desire to learn” to provide some clarity in restricting the scope of the speaking to a circumstance where teaching is taking place, 1 Cor 14:35.

Further, Paul uses the word “to speak” elsewhere to refer to either himself or the Law (the OT, the Pentateuch) as providing instruction through its speaking (cf. Rm 3:19; 1 Cor 9:8).

Additionally, Paul has provided similar instruction elsewhere, rooting a woman’s submission to male teaching authority in creation order in 1 Tim 2:9-15.

Importantly, notice how closely Paul joins “not permitted to speak,” with “to subject themselves.”

Remember, “to speak” can have with it an instructional idea, that is speaking in order to provide teaching.

If we’re looking at an instructional context, that is where male spiritual leadership in the church is providing instruction, but Paul has to tell the women “to subject themselves,” then what’s going on here?

The temptation for a woman to vocalize her objection to what is being taught by the male leadership in the church.

Importantly, Paul does not say that a woman can never vocalize her opposition to what her male leadership is being taught.

Instead, Paul identifies that if she wants to do this, if she wants to learn and either be affirmed in her concern or receive additional instruction that resolves her concern, then she can do with her husband at home.

Truthfully, it doesn’t often wait until we get home but once we get into the car!

Then, in that conversation between the husband and wife one of two things should happen.

The husband may offer additional insight into his wife’s concern to resolve her concern, culminating with the wife’s edification.

Alternatively, the husband may share his wife’s concern and either the two of them or just the husband brings it up with the male spiritual leadership who had taught God’s Word.

This in turn will lead to one of two things happening.

The teacher may provide additional insight that resolve’s the couple’s concern.

Otherwise, the teacher may affirm their concern and then seek to provide clarity to the church at the next available opportunity.

Brothers and sisters, what should happen in either scenario?

Edification!

All parties are edified as a result!

Truthfully, brothers and sisters, I’ve shared with you an ideal circumstance.

I know that our sin nature will sometimes impede this effort that may lead to division and even culminate with church discipline.

But, in an ideal circumstance in which all parties are submitted to the Holy Spirit, edification should be the outcome!

When I think of this passage, I’m reminded of what Priscilla and Aquilla did with Apollos in Acts 18:24-28).

Apollos was preaching in public but was only acquainted with John’s baptism.

Instead of calling him out in public, this husband wife team took him aside and gave him private instruction.

The truth is, I may say something that is unclear in Sunday School or while I preach.

One of you ladies may notice this and have a question about it.

You then go home and address it with your husband.

Your husband then does one of two things.

Either he also affirms your concern.

Or, he provides clarity on what was said.

If there’s a concern, then in following God’s creation order in Gen 2 that Paul reiterates in 1 Cor 11, either the husband or, as demonstrated with Priscilla and Aquilla, you and your husband come and address that concern with me.

For those of our sisters who are single, your thought might be, “Who can I go to?”

The Lord has provided for you trusted spiritual leaders in this church through our deacons and our pastor.

I would encourage you to seek one of them if you, as a single woman, have a concern.

Another question that may loom large in this discussion concerns, “When have I crossed that line from asking a question to assuming teaching authority over a man?”

Sisters, this is where you need to depend on the Spirit’s help for discernment.

You can ask questions in such a way as you are prompting your male spiritual leadership that you have submitted to to exercise their teaching authority.

But, if in your heart you know that in your question or statement you would be publicly challenging their teaching authority and asserting your own authority to teach, then it’s best to have that discussion with your husband or male spiritual leadership in the pastors and/or deacons.

36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

What Paul is getting at is that everything that he has shared is God’s Word.

Our actions and words are subject to the authority of God’s Word.

What Paul has done here is summarized his teaching so far as it relates to God’s Word.

A prophet would refer to how we use our words to edify others.

Spiritual is the same term used in 1 Cor 14:1 to refer to spiritual gifts.

Hence, Paul is using this as a catchall for all of the spiritual equipping that the Holy Spirit provides to serve others in circumstances that Jesus provides through which God the Father makes effective.

Essentially, brothers and sisters, whatever we want to say or whatever we do must align with God’s Word.

39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”

Why do we desire earnestly to prophesy?

Because we love our church family.

And because we love our church family, we want to do that which will most build them up to encourage them to live to please the Lord, edification.

Importantly, Paul concludes here with the statement, “do not forbid to speak in tongues.”

He’s not commanding the Corinthians or any other Christian to speak in tongues.

However, we must acknowledge that Paul does not conclude here that tongues have ceased.

Brothers and sisters, God may yet have use of the biblical gift of tongues for His Church either for personal edification or evangelizing unbelievers whose native tongue is different from their own.

Yet, the NT does not address the biblical gift of tongues post 1 Corinthians 14.

Additionally, setting aside the current expression of the modern use of tongues in the charismatic church, the Church’s experience also includes a gradual diminishing of the gift of tongues since the early church.

The silence from the NT and the experience of the Church suggests for us that God is using linguistically talented individuals to learn a language not native to them for the public proclamation of the Gospel, discipleship of those believers and Bible translation.

Though the Scriptures have not conclusively declared the cessation of the gift of tongues, what we can confidently say is that the current tongues use in the charismatic church is far from the biblical ideal and cannot be equated with the biblical gift of tongues.

Conclusion: Let’s recap what we’ve considered over all from this passage.

Our main goal should be to edify, therefore we want just the right gift to suit that moment.

Tongues, the Spirit-given ability to speak in another language for the proclamation of the Gospel receives less attention as the NT developed and has gradually diminished since its usage in the Early Church. While Paul does not conclusively say that tongues have ceased, though they will when Jesus comes (cf. 1 Cor 13:10), the practice of unintelligible gibberish in the modern charismatic church is far from biblical tongues.

Prophecy, the Spirit-given ability to speak a timely word to a brother or sister for edification, exhortation, and consolation is preferred over tongues, requiring an interpreter, on account of the clarity of the former.

In demonstration of the orderliness of our God, we want to structure our service in such a way that chaos does not obstruct edification - such as the orderly exercise of gifts and women seeking clarity or affirmation of their concerns in the home setting.

Ultimately, God’s Word has the final authority in all of this!

Brothers and sisters, with all that Paul has to say in this passage, we must never forget his core theme: let all things be done for edification.

You see, brothers and sisters, we don’t desire spiritual gifts just to exercise some spiritual power over others for our own benefit. Instead, we want just the right gifts for what it is that God has called us to do in edifying the Church.

When Paul says, “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,” I believe that we could tack onto that statement, “for that right moment as you interact with others, whether unbelievers who need to hear the Gospel or believers who need encouraging to be more like Jesus.”

I believe that a perfect companion passage to this is Ephesians 4:29 “29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” What we want to do is to say or do just that right thing in the power of the Spirit in that moment in which we interact with another individual that would give them exactly what it is that they need from the Lord in that circumstance.