Lesson 30 – 1 Corinthians Chapter 14:24-40
Last week was interesting, in that we got to tackle the subject of tongues. I think many Christians are drawn to tongues simply because it’s somewhat spiritually surreal, and it piques our curiosity.
Paul schooled us in the fact that the Corinthian believers highly sought after the gift of tongues, and the ones who felt they had the gift misused it by flaunting it in front of others, hoping to gain attention.
There are arguments on both sides as to whether or not tongues exist today, with many thinking tongues ceased once the church was well established.
Can God give someone the gift of tongues? Most certainly.
If indeed someone has the gift of tongues, and they exercise it in public, Paul instructs us that it must be accompanied with interpretation. To speak in such a way that no one understands what you’re saying, is not helpful and has no value.
We ended last week where Paul gives the example… if everyone in the congregation spoke in tongues at the same time, a new believer or an unbeliever might think they were all “mad” or crazy. The main thrust of this was, it created a sense of chaos and confusion, beside the fact there was no interpretation.
In Acts chapter 2, Jesus has sent His Holy Spirit like He promised. All the disciples have been filled with the Spirit, and we see the very first example of tongues:
Acts 2:4-8 (NLT):
“And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!”
In this case, the only one giving the interpretation was God Himself.
Aside from speaking tongues in a public setting, there are those today who use tongues when they pray. However a person prays, this is between them and God, it is highly personal and intimate, and if speaking in tongues brings them closer to God… so be it.
1 Cor. 14:24:
“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;”
Paul continues to contrast tongues with prophecy, again showing prophecy being superior. What we see in verse 24 is the power of God’s Word. Whenever God’s truth is spoken, it can cut into the deepest part of a person’s heart.
Hebrews 4:12:
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
An ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all…
Remember, the ungifted man is speaking of the one who doesn’t understand, the outsider, the unlearned, or the uninformed.
He is convicted by all…
When God’s Word is proclaimed, it has a way of speaking to a person’s heart, and when it does, conviction of sin happens.
He is called to account by all…
Hearing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ carries a responsibility to respond to it… it is through faith and repentance that a person responds. Once a person learns of God’s plan of salvation, they are held to account.
1 Peter 4:5:
“But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.”
We will be judged in our response to the gospel.
Luke 12:48:
“But the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”
1 Cor. 14:25:
“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.”
This is when someone takes their first step of faith. I like to refer to this when the light-switch first gets flipped on, the moment when they realize they are a sinner and they need Jesus to forgive them… the secrets of his heart are disclosed.
There’s power in the blood and there’s power in the Word, it convinces and convicts at just the right time… a miracle custom-made for each one of us.
Romans 5:6 (NLT):
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
Jesus came at precisely the right time for mankind… God’s timing is always perfect. When it comes to our salvation, it is often at a pivotal time in person’s life, and God knows exactly when we will come to Him.
When we are made aware of our sin and our need for the Savior… today is the day of salvation.
1 Cor. 14:26:
“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.”
(NLT) “Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.”
Paul is giving another scenario of the Corinthians gathering together… each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. So just like we saw in verse 23, where everyone was speaking in tongues at the same time, if all these things take place at the same time, what value would there be?
Everything listed here has value except maybe “tongue” (it’s singular, probably counterfeit), but each one should stand alone on its own. Paul is conveying to us that this gathering was nothing more than a free-for-all, and was very chaotic and confusing.
Let all things be done for edification…
Their assembling wasn’t glorifying to God in the least, everyone was doing their own thing.
Edification… literally means “housebuilding,” figuratively it’s about people growing, maturing, and improving… all healthy things for any church.
Eph. 4:12:
“For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”
“Edification” and “building up” are the same Greek word. This is a responsibility for everyone in the body of Christ, it’s not just for pastors and leaders. Things done in the church properly will bring edification to everyone.
1 Thess. 5:11:
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
“Build up one another,” yep, it’s the same word.
Let all things be done for edification… a very small phrase but an important one. This is a major building block to keep a church together, and as we’ve discussed before, the great motivator needs to be a love for one another.
Romans 14:19:
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”
What builds us up as Christians? It’s the Word of God! The person who was prophesizing in the Corinthian church was being drowned out by everyone else trying to steal the spotlight.
1 Cor. 14:27:
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;”
Last week I talked about the exception when using the word “tongue” in the singular, and this is it. Now Paul is giving instructions how genuine tongues should be exercised. When you think about it, he wouldn’t give instructions for the counterfeit of tongues.
If you notice, there’s order here, how many should speak, and that they should wait their turn to speak.
If you’ve ever seen a small group of people all trying to talk at the same time, it seems quite confusing and is also annoying; this is the image that Paul is giving us. There should always be order within God’s house, because our God is a God of order and not chaos.
And one must interpret… just as with tongues, the Corinthians who could interpret would try to “out do” each other as to who could shout out their interpretation the loudest.
1 Cor. 14:28:
“But if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.”
The gift of tongues and interpretation had to go together. If the one who could interpret was not present, then there was to be no speaking. And let him speak to himself and to God…
1 Cor. 14:29:
“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.”
Paul gives the same rules for the prophets in the church. The prophets were something else that would cease to be, but they were foundational in establishing the new church.
The New Testament prophets spoke for God in two ways: Some of them would give a new revelation from God to the church. Then there were those who would reiterate the teachings from the apostles, just as pastors and teachers do today.
And let the others pass judgment… the prophets that weren’t speaking would listen to what was being said and judge as to whether it lined up with Scripture, they were being Bereans.
1 Cor. 14:30:
“But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.”
It was common for the prophet to receive a revelation from God through a vision or in a dream. When the prophet was among the congregation, he would share with them what the Lord had given him.
In that same setting, while one prophet was speaking, and another prophet who was sitting had just received a new revelation from God, the one who was speaking would step back and let the fresh Word from God be delivered.
1 Cor. 14:31:
“For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;”
Again, doing it this way keeps things in order… one by one the prophets could each speak, and the end result was learning and exhortation.
1 Cor. 14:32:
“And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;”
In other words, the prophets are observing one another. Remember, these are the Corinthians, just because they could have the gift of a prophet, it didn’t mean they weren’t vulnerable to going off-track. They had to watch each other, the misuse of a gift was something they were good at.
We can apply this today… if you ever hear something from me or anyone else that doesn’t seem to line up with Scripture, you need to challenge it.
1 Cor. 14:33:
“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
If the prophets started getting out of control, confusion could set in. For example, there might have been dramatic outbursts coming from them; if that were the case, it was certainly not from God. If this did take place, it was probably a prophet trying to compete with the other prophets or displaying their own self-serving and self-glorifying personality.
The way church is done should reflect the holiness and character of God. Our God is the God of peace and unity, not of discord and confusion.
Romans 15:33:
“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
2 Thess. 3:16:
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”
1 Cor. 14:34
“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.”
Okay, all you women, it’s time to lock your lips and be quiet. 😊
Only kidding! Let’s break this down. Some like to translate this verse differently.
In the Corinthian church the men and women sat on different sides whenever they gathered together. Some think that Paul is forbidding women from calling out to their husbands where they might say, “Hey Joe, what did he mean by that?” This isn’t Paul’s intention, although yelling across the room wouldn’t be cool.
The women are to keep silent in the churches… this is a universal command from Paul throughout the churches. This would also include tongues… but the context has to do with prophecy.
All the disorder and chaos that Paul has been addressing up to this point also included the women as well, they were just as guilty as their husbands. The issue at hand was self-control, and for the women, it meant their silence. This wasn’t just for the married women, but all women.
Women not speaking was a carry-over from the Old Testament and now is reaffirmed in the New. Women weren’t permitted to speak in the Jewish synagogues.
1 Tim. 2:11-15:
“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”
Bible commentary writes, “It is not coincidental that, like Corinth, many of the churches today that practice speaking in tongues and claim gifts of healing also permit women to engage in speaking ministry. Many charismatic groups, in fact, were begun by women, just as many of the cults that have sprung from Christianity were founded by women. When women usurp man’s God-ordained role, they inevitably fall into other unbiblical practices and delusions.”
But are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says…
The law Paul is referring to is Gen. 3:16b:
“Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
God has ordained order in His creation, it’s an order that reflects His own nature, and therefore should be also reflected in His church. It is without question that some women may be highly gifted teachers and leaders, but they are not to exercise those gifts over men in the services of the church.
Sad to say, in too many Christian homes today it is the wife who has to answer the questions for the husband because she is better taught in the Word then he is.
Just as God’s spirit cannot be in control where confusion and chaos are found in the church, the Spirit cannot be in control where women take upon themselves the roles He intended for men.
1 Cor. 14:35:
“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.”
We’re not given any specifics as to what was taking place, but there may have been some women in the church who could be heard asking their husband’s questions about the Word being spoken. Paul, in establishing order says, “Take your questions home.”
One pastor writes, “If a woman asks her pastor or an elder about spiritual questions or matters, her husband is inadvertently left farther and farther in the background. On the other hand, if she asks her husband the question, he will be motivated to dig into the Scriptures himself.”
It should go without saying, men should be well versed in the Scriptures. Men and women alike should study God’s Word, but men are called to a higher accountability to know the Word so they can be the spiritual leader in their family they were called to be.
But let’s be clear, there will be times when men and women get together for casual meetings or Bible studies, and in this setting, it is entirely appropriate for them to share questions and biblical insights. The main point is, when they come together as a church body for worship and to hear the spoken Word, that leadership is reserved for men.
Satan and the world system war against this.
1 Cor. 14:36:
“Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?”
(NLT) “Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?”
The Corinthians weren’t to think of themselves as exclusive, that they were the select group that God intended His Scriptures. It was important that they obey it, and should subject themselves to the Word of God, just like all believers should.
1 Cor. 14:37:
“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.”
The Corinthians had their church, and I think for the most part, they were just “playing” church, thinking that they were pious and very holy and spiritual people.
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual… if they thought they were the “stalwart” among the believers, the ones who were sturdy, then they needed to be willing to receive and accept all that Paul has presented to them thus far.
2 Tim.3:16-17:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
The Corinthians, thinking they were a spiritual people, needed to realize that all the things Paul has been writing to them about are to be taken as the Word of God… inspired by the Holy Spirit. This wasn’t Paul trying to be nice to them, giving them some friendly advice how to do things… every word he gave them was from the Lord. Paul wrote this letter from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor. 14:38:
“But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”
Paul does a little play on words here, carrying the idea that the one who disregards the things he’s been saying should himself be disregarded. This shows the seriousness of Paul’s ministry.
To add to this, Paul had Peter’s full support as an apostle.
2 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT):
“And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him… speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.”
1 Cor. 14:39:
“Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.”
The first part of this verse was addressed in verse 1. Desire earnestly to prophesy… not that they all should desire to prophesy, but that the whole church should desire the gift of prophesying whenever they gathered together. Prophesying was the great edifier, as well as the great instructor and teacher… building up and maturing the congregation.
And do not forbid to speak in tongues
We see tongues (plural), this was the legitimate tongues being used in the church. It was God’s gift to the church and was to be used in the proper way… and Paul adds, that tongues shouldn’t be despised or hindered in any way. Tongues was indeed beneficial to the church.
1 Cor. 14:40:
“But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”
Properly, to be done decently… acceptably, pleasantly, and beautifully. To do this takes an attitude of grace and love on our part, having an awareness of those around us.
An orderly manner… means a fixed succession, observing a fixed time… speaking of quality and style.
In contrast, the Corinthians were anything but orderly in their meeting together and in their actions.
When we come together as the body of Christ, we are to do things God’s way, not our way. Our God is a God of beauty and design, of propriety and order, and all the things that His children do should be a reflection of those divine characteristics.
We’ll close with this…
God is a God of order within His own Person. Although no human being can fully comprehend the tri-unity of the Lord God Almighty, we see orderliness in the three Persons of the Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… they are distinct Persons, yet they function in complete harmony.
God enjoys our communion with Him, our questions, our studying of His Word, and our willingness to let Him bring order to our chaotic thoughts. The more like Him we become, the more orderly our lives will be because He is a God of order.