This is the fourth part of a multi-part study.
view part 1, view part 2, view part 3
Welcome back again to the fourth and final part of our series of studies on Spiritual Tongues, probably one of the most misunderstood, and as a result feared and disregarded gifts which the Spirit of God gives to us, His children.
By now, you should have a firm grasp of what Tongues are, and the three different types of Tongues which are described for us in the scripture, as well as the individual purpose and blessing of each of them.
Now in this final part of the study, we will finish chapter fourteen of 1st Corinthians, as Paul now lays out some rules of order for the public use of Tongues, and some final thoughts on the subject for all of us to see, regarding the gift of Tongues.
So last week we concluded with verses 23-25, where Paul was mentioning that if the entire assembly comes together and all are speaking with Tongues at the same time, then they will look crazy to any unbeliever or uninformed person who happens to pass by. This is logical and makes sense, and now he proceeds to describe some rules of order for how things should be done instead, beginning with verse 26. Let’s take a look at it now:
“How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edifying.”
This may seem fairly straightforward (and it is) but there is also a bit more here than what we typically notice.
We can see that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are spread throughout each and every one of us. Each one brings their portion of oil (the Holy Spirit) so that the lamp always burns brightly.
One person has a song, another has a teaching, one has a tongue and another has the interpretation, etc. Just as we saw earlier that each tongue has a specific place and a purpose, so also does each of the gifts, and all should be done to edifying, that is building each-other up in Christ, His New Covenant, and our new identity in Him. The gifts should never be used to tear down, to cause fear, or to bring guilt or shame.
There are some self-proclaimed “prophets” to try to breed fear, foster guilt, and condemnation, and to get people focused on themselves – but we can plainly see here that is not the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit. Again, all should be done to edifying. And this edification should always be in the faith; knowledge of Christ, who He is, what He has accomplished and who we are in Him today (Ephesians 4:12-24).
Again, notice what Paul says in verses 27 and 28, this is something that everyone who is opposed to private prayer Tongues needs to see:
“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; 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.”
In verse 27 Paul gives some rules of order… if someone speaks in an unknown tongue in public, it should be at the most two or three people – no more than that. And there should be one interpreter. Then in verse 28 he says that if there is no interpreter, the one speaking in the unknown tongue should remain silent in the assembly – people opposed to tongues love to quote that part without the rest of it, because Paul says to let that person keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God, which is a repeat of what Paul mentioned back in verse 2, regarding personal private Tongues.
So again, this is not an indictment against Tongues, only rules of order for Tongues in the public assembly.
Next, is verses 29-33, we have rules of order for prophecy, just as we have for Tongues and Interpretation:
“Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.
For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
We can see that the speaking rules here for prophets are the same as the rules for prophetic tongues with interpretation – which makes sense since both of them are prophetic in nature (the Spirit of God speaking to people).
In verse 31, it says that everyone is allowed to prophesy, one-at-a-time, so that everyone may learn and be comforted.
This is the purpose of New Covenant prophecy; to learn and be comforted. Not to be beaten down with condemnation and judgment.
We see that the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets… meaning that God will not impose himself on anyone so strongly that it would be unbearable, or cause disorder, confusion or lack of peace in such a manner.
Next we have verses 34-37, which honestly has been a huge area of disagreement and confusion for many people for many years, and sadly most people have formed their own opinions about this already and are grounded in that opinion and unwilling to listen to anything else. But here we go anyway, because you should never be afraid to honestly and openly look at any section of scripture just because it is difficult. So let’s look at it now:
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also said the law.
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
What? came the word of God out from you? or came it to you only?
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”
The most popular opinion is that Paul is advocating for women to remain completely silent in public assembly and for them not to speak.
The problem with this view is that it completely ignores the context of the chapter as well as the rest of Paul’s letter to Corinth. Remember that Paul stated earlier that all may prophesy. And as we have learned many times before, “all” really does mean “all”. It doesn’t simply mean “all males” but it means men and women both.
Furthermore, Paul previously gave specific instructions three chapters prior in chapter 11, about when women prophesy in the assembly – something that would not be possible if they must remain silent. So what is going on here?
Well, it all comes down to one single letter in the Greek text: the letter ἤ. It is called an “expletive of dissociation”. Some English translations, translate it as “What?”, and others don’t translate it at all!
What’s happening here is that Paul is addressing a specific comment, and then rebutting it. The specific comment is that women should keep silent (not just quiet, but absolute silence) in the assembly, and if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husband at home.
So Paul rebuts this idea by saying, Did the word of God come from you? Did it come to you only? If anyone would think himself to be a prophet, let him acknowledge that what I have written to you are the commandments of the Lord.
And as we have seen, what Paul has been writing and continues to write, are that all may prophecy in order, and that all may speak in Tongues, whether they be the public or private varieties of Tongues, as long as it is done to edify in Christ and in the order and peace of Christ.
Then he goes on to say (rather amusingly) in verse 38, but if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant. In other words, don’t bang your head against the wall trying to convince an ignorant person of these things.
And then in the final two verses of the chapter, verses 39 and 40, Paul drives the points home one more time, regarding both the legitimacy of Spiritual Tongues, and the public order of the assembly:
“Wherefore, brothers, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Let all things be done decently and in order.”
He says to covet to prophesy – in other words, have a strong desire to speak the words of God regarding the truth of Christ, have a strong desire to build-up and encourage the assembly in that truth of who He is, what He has accomplished, and who we are today in Him.
And also do not forbid to speak with tongues – in other words, do not hinder or prevent anyone from speaking in any of the three types of tongues, because each is a gift from God.
And finally in verse 40, Paul caps it all by saying Let all things be done decently and in order.
This is God’s wish, and His heart, for us to flow freely in the gifts which He gives, and that we all may be edified and built-up in Him.
I hope and pray that this series has edified you and built you up in Christ, and that you have a more solid understanding of the gift of Spiritual Tongues, as you continue to expand in and explore the Grace of Christ, and the gifts of His Spirit in you.
Be blessed.