A wooden lyre and a double reed flute laid side by side on a stone bench in an empty courtyard at dawn.

The Book of

1 Corinthians 14

The Corinthians prized the most striking gifts. Paul asks a simpler question of everything they do together: does it build up the church?

40 verses≈ 6 minBSB

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Where we are

1–4DivisionsChrist crucified, not rival leaders
5–6A holy peopleDiscipline, lawsuits and the body
7–10Your questionsMarriage, food and freedom
11–14Worship togetherThe Supper, gifts and loveChapter 14
15–16Raised with ChristResurrection hope; the collection

Prophecy and Tongues

Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

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Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Paul

It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind.

1 Corinthians 14:15

Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:19

Question

Quick question

The Corinthians were eager for spiritual gifts. Paul doesn’t tell them to stop being eager. He points their eagerness in a new direction.

Since they were eager to have spiritual gifts, what does Paul tell the Corinthians to strive for?

1 Corinthians 14:20

It is written in the Law:

“By strange tongues and foreign lips

I will speak to this people,

but even then they will not listen to Me,

says the Lord.”

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

A stranger seen from behind pauses at the doorway of a lamplit room where a house church is gathered, the believers seen from behind or in shadow.

But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

0:18

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Through a stranger’s eyes

Paul pictures someone who knows nothing of Christ walking into the gathering. Will he hear only noise, or will he hear something that reaches “the secrets of his heart”? Think about the last time you met with other believers. What would a newcomer have understood? Write down one way you could help someone new to hear God clearly, and leave saying, “God is truly among you!”

Orderly Worship

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.

When you come together

Whiteboard

When the Corinthians met, everyone came with something: “a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.” Paul doesn’t silence them. He gives them a simple order. Two or three speak, one at a time. A tongue is interpreted, or kept between the speaker and God. Prophets speak and the others weigh what is said. Behind it all is God Himself: “God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” So the test for everything is the same: it “must be done to build up the church.”

Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.

Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

1 Corinthians 14:39–40

Pray

A God of peace

Thank God that He is “not a God of disorder, but of peace,” and that He gives His people gifts to build one another up. Ask Him to make you eager to serve, ready to listen and quick to put others first when you meet with His people. Pray for your church’s gatherings, that newcomers would understand what they hear, that believers would be instructed and encouraged, and that everything would be done in love.

You’ve experienced

1 Corinthians 14

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A verse to carry with you

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

1 Corinthians 14:20

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