What then, brothers?  When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.  Let all things be done for building up.

1 Corinthians 14:26

The Christians at Corinth were misusing their miraculous spiritual gifts (12-14).  The spiritual gift they were most interested in obtaining and using was the ability to speak in tongues, i.e., to miraculously become suddenly fluent in other languages (cf. Acts 2:4-11).  Eschewing the gift of prophecy (which was God directly and miraculously revealing a message to then be shared), they were more interested in “showing off” their ability to speak in other languages…even if no one in the worship assembly could understand what was being said (14:1-25).  In doing so, they showed their lack of understanding that a major purpose of the worship assembly was for them, their fellow Christians, and any outsiders who attended to be spiritually instructed and strengthened (14:12-25). 

Paul makes this point in verse 26, cited above.  All that was done in the worship service – each hymn that was sung, each lesson that was preached, every miraculous prophetic revelation that was shared, every foreign language which was miraculously uttered in perfect fluency, and every miraculous interpretation of that foreign tongue which was being spoken – was to “be done for building up” (14:26).  If people were not being spiritually strengthened, then those who were leading the congregation in the singing of the hymn, teaching the Bible lesson, preaching the prophetic revelation just given to them, or speaking miraculously in the different language, were doing so in the wrong way, for the wrong purposes, and without God’s approval.

With this singular goal in mind, the apostle now gives Corinth some specific directions about their worship assemblies.  He starts by addressing those who speak in tongues:  “If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.  But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God” (14:27-28).  In other words, Paul is saying, “Have self-control, the fruit or evidence that you are truly spiritual (Gal. 5:22-23).  Discipline yourselves to keep the desire to ‘show off’ your spiritual gift by putting the spiritual needs of the congregation before yourselves (Phil. 2:1-5ff).  There might be many of you who can speak in tongues, but choose only two or three of you to use that gift per worship assembly, and even then do so one at a time and only if someone can miraculously interpret.  If no one is present who has the gift of interpretation, then have the discipline to not disrupt the worship assembly and speak in that other language quietly to yourself and to God.”

He gives a similar directive to those with the spiritual gift of prophecy:  “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.  If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.  For you can prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (14:29-33).  Again, the apostle is basically saying, “Practice self-control and choose to put the good of the congregation before yourself.  There might be many who can prophesy among you, but decide ahead of time that only two or three of you will speak in any given assembly, and even then those who are speaking must do so one at a time.  If you are not speaking, then listen carefully and weigh what is said, that is, make sure that it is biblical truth (Acts 17:11).  If the Spirit gives miraculous revelation to another prophet while you are speaking, concede your time to that other prophet since the message just given to him by Deity is obviously meant to be shared with the congregation immediately.  Each of you prophets has the ability to control your spirits, i.e., yourselves.  Do so and in so doing please your God, who does not want confusion but peace.”

Those who lead the congregation in acts of worship today can benefit from these principles even though miracles have ceased.  All things must be done in an orderly fashion and for the purpose of spiritual strengthening (14:26, 40).                                                                             

— Jon