Intelligibility & Edification in Worship v.1-25
Paul begins this passage by encouraging the Corinthians to pursue the most excellent way of love, as well as to deeply desire spiritual gifts for the service of God. Rather oddly, he singles out prophesying, and seems to favor it over speaking in tongues. However, Paul is not identifying prophecy as the most desirable of all Spirit-manifestations; he is merely pointing out that those who speak in tongues speak to God and tend to only build themselves up, but those who prophesy tend to speak to others for their edification.
Speaking in tongues is only useful for edifying the church if someone gifted with interpreting tongues is able to translate these foreign words into intelligible, understandable truth. Also, those who speak in "tongues" (a form of gibberish that people begin speaking when caught up in some kind of spiritually ecstatic experience, probably demonic in origin) only worship in spirit, but because their minds do not understand the gibberish coming out of their mouths, there is no use for this kind of worship. When we praise God, we should be able to understand in our minds the language of our spirits so that our worship is meaningful to us as well.
If everyone spoke in tongues, Paul reasons, unbelievers who saw them would think them insane; but if everyone prophesies, then he would be convicted and fall on his knees in worship of God. God purposed speaking in tongues as a sign to unbelievers that they might come to faith, rather than something useful to serve those already saved to Christ.
Despite all this, Paul maintains that speaking in tongues is a valuable spiritual gift (otherwise, why would God have created it?) but would rather speak five understandable, edifying words than a thousand unintelligible words in a foreign tongue. Though it seems paradoxical, his main point is that everything we do should edify and strengthen the church, as in 1 Cor. 12:7, which reads, "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Order in the
Our God is a God of peace, not confusion. As God's true servant, Paul asks the Corinthians to maintain order and calm in their services. Their selfish overeagerness to display their God-given talents in public has led to chaotic services that leave everyone confused and no one edified. He tells them only to allow a few to speak so that all may be encouraged and edified, while those with revelations or prophecies who did not get to speak should listen pensively.
Paul also touches on the topic of women leading in the church. He says that, while they may lead worship, teach, and preach, they are not allowed to be pastors or teachers (which are duties filled only by men). Though this seemed misogynistic and unfair to women, this is rule is actually established from the onset of mankind: woman was created to be man's "suitable helper" (Gen. 3:16). According to John Macarthur, men are to be the elders overseeing the church, never women (unfortunately, I cannot say much about the operation and overseeing of a church because I'm not knowledgeable about such things).
Verses to Remember
"So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church." 1 Cor. 14:12
"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also." 1 Cor. 14:15
"Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue." 1 Cor. 14:19
"Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature." 1 Cor. 14:20
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." 1 Cor. 14:33
Closing Remarks
To be honest, I felt a little uncomfortable when I got to verse 34. I've heard about some controversy on the topic of women seemingly being short-sided out of leadership roles in the church, thus making God a sexist. However, I know that this is God's grand design and that both men and women have their place in His divine order; who are we to decide?
God bless,
Joe Mak
Colossians 3:23-24
