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. (I Corinthians 14:26)
In the previous lessons, we studied in great detail the topics Paul summarized in this study - prophesy and tongues (I CORINTHIANS: Spiritual Gifts, Ministries and Activities; I CORINTHIANS: Prophecy and Tongues); and submission (see I CORINTHIANS: Order, Authority and Accountability). Now, he was making sure that the church in Corinth understood how these gifts should be used in the church, so that if ...an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 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. (I Corinthians 14:24-25)
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. (I Corinthians 14:27-28) Yet again, we have to emphasize that tongues is not gibberish that no one can understand. Tongues is an unknown language to the person speaking, but a known language to at least one person hearing. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. (I Corinthians 14:13)
But if there is no interpreter, tongues should not be spoken aloud in church. Remember, spiritual gifts are for the purpose of edification and exhortation and comfort to men. Paul explained it best when he said, "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 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." (I Corinthians 14:18-19)
As for speaking words with understanding, prophesy has to be done in order also. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 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 the churches of the saints. (I Corinthians 14:29-33) The Holy Spirit of God does not bring confusion and division, but unity and peace.
Prophesy means to say that a specified thing will happen in the future, through divine revelation. God doesn't just reveal to one prophet, because the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For example, when God revealed to the prophet Elisha that his mentor, the prophet Elijah would be taken up by God to heaven, ...the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” (II Kings 2:3)
A prophet does not validate himself, but the Word of God and other prophets confirm that his prophesy is true. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (I John 4:1) And of course, the sure way to know if a prophet is a false prophet or a true prophet is if the prophesy comes to fruition. ... By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (I John 4:6)
Finally, regarding submission, Let your women [wives] keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak [chatter]; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak [chatter] in church. (I Corinthians 14:34-35) The original Greek word translated "women" means specifically wives, and the word translated "speak" means chatter. Remember, the same rules don't apply to the married as the unmarried. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife;... —how she may please her husband. (I Corinthians 7:32-34)
Paul was stressing order within the church when the believers come together to worship. The churches then were not as formal as most are now, and often times the men were separated from the women. If the apostle or teacher was speaking, often times someone would yell out to ask a question for clarification. Wives would often yell across to their husbands to ask their question, out of respect to their husbands. (see: TITUS: Order in the Church) Paul, in an effort to make sure the churches stayed orderly, was instructing the wives to wait until they got home to ask their own husbands at home.
Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 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. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. (I Corinthians 14:36-40)
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