1Co 14In seeking to understand, and to profit by this portion of the Scriptures, we should notice that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16, 1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17)). While the apostle Paul was the instrument God used, God is the Author. The word "inspiration" means God-breathed. "God has magnified His Word above all His name." Psa. 138:22I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalm 138:2). We, debtors to His mercy and grace, should gladly receive it.
We must not for a moment speak of it, nor even think that it is man's words. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (verse 37). It claims our obedience just as much as the first day that it was written by the Spirit of God.
We learn from chapter 1:7 that the saints at Corinth came behind in no gift, yet they were not, as we have seen, a spiritual assembly. They did not, as a whole, grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In chapter 3:3, they are spoken of as carnal, and as babes, instead of growing up to Christian maturity in the knowledge of Christ glorified. It is the apostle's desire and effort to minister truth to them that will set this right.
He unfolded to them in chapter 12, that they were one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another, and this was by the Holy Spirit forming them into one body (verses 12, 13). Then the gifts were set in the assembly (verse 28) and in verse 31, he says, "Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”
This is the way of love (chapter 13). The gifts are needed, but love is needed to use the gifts to edify the assembly, and if they do not speak with love, they are but clanging cymbals.
It seems that they had been using their gifts, specially the gift of speaking in a foreign tongue, much for their own pleasure. God had given the apostles to speak with tongues at Pentecost, to meet the need created at the tower of Babel, so that all who were there, heard in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. It was useful in that case, but now he endeavors to show them that prophesying is the gift that is most needed. They were exhorted therefore to follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that they might prophecy.
A man might speak in the assembly in a foreign tongue, but it was perfectly useless, except for himself and God. But the one that prophesies speaks unto man to edification, that is building up; and exhortation, stirring up; and comfort, is encouraging. It brought the soul into the presence of God by His Word.
They are encouraged to speak with tongues, if they are led by God, but if there is no interpreter, they were to be silent. If they spoke rightly, it was a revelation, that is, something new, for the Word of God was not completed then as it is now; or it was giving knowledge, or speaking to the conscience, or unfolding doctrine (verse 6), and verses 7-11, show that speaking without an interpreter or without understanding, is just speaking into the air. It is a sound, but no voice, no message in it.
Verse 12. "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the assembly." The one therefore that speaks with a foreign tongue, should pray that he may interpret.
Verses 14-17, further show how out of place it is in the assembly, for nobody can say "Amen" at thy giving of thanks.
Verses 18, 19. Paul thanks God that he spoke with tongues more than they all, then he adds, "yet in the assembly I had rather speak five words (a figure of man's weakness) with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
Verses 21-25. It is a sign gift, not to believers, but to unbelievers, and if used in the assembly, and one unlearned or unconverted comes in and hears it, he will say, this is madness, but if some one is prophesying, it speaks to his conscience, and so he says, "God is in you of a truth.”
Verse 26 shows the liberty of the Spirit to lead the meeting, but the will of men needs to be curbed, and the Lord does this by giving instructions to them. We do not find any place in Scripture that one man is set over a company of people as their minister; that is departure from the liberty of the Spirit. Here the speaking is limited by the words, "Let all things be done to edifying," so the necessity comes of waiting on the Lord, and attending to the instructions.
Verses 27, 28. Only two or three could speak at one meeting, and only one at a time. If it was in tongues, there must be an interpreter. If there was no interpreter, it was strictly forbidden. "Let him keep silence in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God," but be silent.
Verses 29-33. The prophesying was limited to two or at the most three, and only one at a time, and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. No one could rightly say, "I had to speak," "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all assemblies of the saints.”
“That all may learn, and all may be comforted.”
How careful the Lord is in this way, and here we might well remark that enough care is not used that all should hear and understand. We might learn a lesson from Neh. 8:8,8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. (Nehemiah 8:8) "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." Those who take part in the meetings, should make an effort to speak plainly for the edification of all.
Verses 34, 35. Another limitation comes in here, "Let your women keep silence in the assemblies, for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." This is surely plain language, it is unmistakeably plain. "And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the assembly." There are lots of opportunities to ask questions privately. We have already seen in chapter 11 That the man represents Christ, and woman represents the Church: this is God's order in creation, and in redemption also.
Verses 36-38. It seems that Paul felt the spirit of independence that would oppose, s) he adds, "What? came the Word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." But if any man be (willfully) ignorant, let him be ignorant. He must just go on in his willfulness, but in poverty of soul.
Verses 39, 40. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. Notice the three points: 1. "Follow after love" (verse 1; also chapter 16:14). 2. "Let all things be done unto edifying" (verse 26). 3. "Let all things be done decently and in order" (verse 40).
(To be continued)