1 Corinthians 14:26-33

1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Therefore, what are you, brothers and sisters?  Therefore, whenever you should come together, each one who has a psalm, who has a teaching, who has a revelation, who has a tongue, or who has an interpretation – let all things become for building up.  If anyone speaks by a tongue – according to two or as many as three and one after the other – and let one person interpret.  And if an interpreter should not be present, let them be silent in the church and let them speak to themselves and to God.  And let two or three prophets speak and let the others judge carefully.  And if there should be a revelation by another who is being seated, let the first one say nothing about it.  For you all are powerful enough to let all prophesy according to one at a time in order that all should learn and all should be encouraged.  And the spirits of the prophets are being submitted to the prophets.  For God is not of rebellion but rather of peace.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought

Within this passage we get one last proclamation about tongues from Paul.  He is once more clear.  Let those who speak in tongues be silent unless there is someone to interpret.  And let the same person interpret for everyone.  Again we hear Paul trying to reign in the fantastic and place it underneath order.  Paul does not deny the gift outright – nor should we if we are to be found in God.  But Paul does demonstrate that it should be used accordingly to the building up of the church.

What does it say about the Corinthian church that Paul has to stress the building up of the church again and again?  Do you think human beings are naturally gifted to building up or tearing down?  Why do you think this?

Second Thought:

However, the gift of tongues is not the only thing that Paul puts under the umbrella of order in this passage.  He also talks about the prophets.  Remember, both prophecy and tongues are temporary gifts and will not be needed after death and in eternal life!  So Paul gives us the same thought about prophecy as with tongues.  The message of the prophet should be judged by the others who are gathered!  None of us are above the collective wisdom of God’s Spirit expressed within the church.

Why is it important to remember that nobody is above the examination of others?  What does this idea help us avoid in the church?

Third Thought:

One of Paul’s main points in this section is regarding orderliness when the congregation comes together.  People should speak in turn.  People should be willing to be silent about things which they do not know or things which are said even while it is their turn to speak.  After all, we are righteous people.  We are supposed to be filled with God’s Spirit.  We should be able to conduct ourselves properly.  After all, God is not a God of rebellion but of peace.  This is clearly demonstrated in Christ.  When Christ came to the earth, he died for our sake rather than rebelling against the religious leaders and overthrowing them.  God is not a God of rebellion and disorder.

What does it say about us when we cannot conduct ourselves properly, with order, and with respect for one another?  Why do we sometimes get caught up in emotion rather than good conduct when we gather together?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 14:34-40