1 Corinthians 14:26-33 says...
Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, which read,
v.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.
The church in Corinth has been in chaos because the spiritual gifts have become something to promote self rather than an instrument used by God to edify the body of Christ. The love of service has been replaced by the pride of sin to create divisions and factions within the body. Paul mentions here that "each one" is displaying all these spiritual gifts at the same time and what is the outcome? Apparently what they are doing in the name of spiritual gifts is not edifying the body of Christ.
v.27, 28 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
Paul gets down to specifics to try to clear up the chaos in the church. Not everyone is to speak in a tongue that has no interpretation as the practice. If the spiritual gift of tongues or languages is going to be used then it will be limited to two or three and only if their is an interpretation so it can be a benefit to the body of Christ. If there is not interpreter, then the one who has the gift of tongues and languages or thinks they do, then they need to be quiet in public and speak only in that way before God. Paul is trying to bring order to the service that would keep with the definition of what a spiritual gift is and how it operates in the body of Christ.
v. 29-33 - Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
The picture is that many are speaking and all speaking at the same time. Paul says in the orderly worship service have two or three speak only and let the others judge what is being said by Scripture. If something is said against Scripture by those seated evaluating, then the one speaking is to sit down and be quiet. Why? Because Scripture is our giving of God to us of the truth we are to follow. If someone is sharing something that is not of that truth then that is not edifying the body of Christ and therefore not a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit.
Paul evaluates that the services in the church of Corinth were in the state of confusion and chaos and that is not a characteristic of God. Everyone was speaking at the same time. No interpretation was being given and things being spoken of that could be understood were not in line with the Scripture. Paul is not done describing what is happening in the services of at the church in Corinth and Wednesday we will pick up with some more of the chaos.
As I read through this slowly I see Paul trying to get the church back to the scriptural definition of spiritual gifts so that they can be used properly within the body of Christ for edification. We need to submit to what the Scripture given to us by God says about these matters.
"Lord, the sound bytes get us in trouble but the context keeps us on track. The limelight looks appealing but the submission to You and Your word brings peace and purpose. Even though I speak on a regular basis in the body of Christ, may I speak only of Someone else as the authority and not myself. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.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.
The church in Corinth has been in chaos because the spiritual gifts have become something to promote self rather than an instrument used by God to edify the body of Christ. The love of service has been replaced by the pride of sin to create divisions and factions within the body. Paul mentions here that "each one" is displaying all these spiritual gifts at the same time and what is the outcome? Apparently what they are doing in the name of spiritual gifts is not edifying the body of Christ.
v.27, 28 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
Paul gets down to specifics to try to clear up the chaos in the church. Not everyone is to speak in a tongue that has no interpretation as the practice. If the spiritual gift of tongues or languages is going to be used then it will be limited to two or three and only if their is an interpretation so it can be a benefit to the body of Christ. If there is not interpreter, then the one who has the gift of tongues and languages or thinks they do, then they need to be quiet in public and speak only in that way before God. Paul is trying to bring order to the service that would keep with the definition of what a spiritual gift is and how it operates in the body of Christ.
v. 29-33 - Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
The picture is that many are speaking and all speaking at the same time. Paul says in the orderly worship service have two or three speak only and let the others judge what is being said by Scripture. If something is said against Scripture by those seated evaluating, then the one speaking is to sit down and be quiet. Why? Because Scripture is our giving of God to us of the truth we are to follow. If someone is sharing something that is not of that truth then that is not edifying the body of Christ and therefore not a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit.
Paul evaluates that the services in the church of Corinth were in the state of confusion and chaos and that is not a characteristic of God. Everyone was speaking at the same time. No interpretation was being given and things being spoken of that could be understood were not in line with the Scripture. Paul is not done describing what is happening in the services of at the church in Corinth and Wednesday we will pick up with some more of the chaos.
As I read through this slowly I see Paul trying to get the church back to the scriptural definition of spiritual gifts so that they can be used properly within the body of Christ for edification. We need to submit to what the Scripture given to us by God says about these matters.
"Lord, the sound bytes get us in trouble but the context keeps us on track. The limelight looks appealing but the submission to You and Your word brings peace and purpose. Even though I speak on a regular basis in the body of Christ, may I speak only of Someone else as the authority and not myself. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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