Study notes ▪ 2009 Tags: 1 Corinthians 14; Spiritual gifts; Church at Corinth; Imperative verbs Related Resources: A Balanced Approach to Spiritual Gifts ▪ Appendix: Are Tongues for Today?
1 Corinthians 14
addresses a particular church—the church in Corinth—about their exercise of
spiritual gifts. Paul’s instructions to his audience pertain specifically to
the problems present in Corinth, and thus do not constitute a systematic body
of teaching about spiritual gifts in general, or speaking in tongues in
particular.
So what can a modern
Christian, who may be far removed from the Corinthian situation, take away from
Paul’s instructions? One way to get at the core of what Paul was teaching is to
focus on the imperative verb forms that Paul used in the chapter. According to
the NET Bible, “The imperative mood corresponds to the English imperative, and
expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and
authority of the one commanding. Thus, Jesus’ phrase, ‘Repent ye, and believe
the gospel’ (Mk.1:15) is not at all an ‘invitation,’ but an absolute command
requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.” Imperative verb forms
appear 21 times in 1 Corinthians 14; those occurrences are displayed in bold
type in the table below. Phrases that express what Paul was commanding are
underlined. Analysis of these commands appears after the table.
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1 Corinthians 14 (King James Version)
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1 Corinthians 14 (New American Standard Bible)
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1Follow after
charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye
may prophesy.
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1Pursue love,
yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that
you may prophesy.
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12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are
zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the
edifying of the church.
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12So also you, since you are
zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the
edification of the church.
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13Wherefore let him that speaketh
in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
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13Therefore let one who speaks in
a tongue pray that he may interpret.
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20Brethren, be
not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children,
but in understanding be men.
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20Brethren, do not be
children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in
your thinking be mature.
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26How is it then, brethren? when
ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a
tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be
done unto edifying.
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26What is the outcome then,
brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a
revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation Let all things be done
for edification.
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27If any man speak in an unknown
tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let
one interpret.
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27If anyone speaks in a tongue,
it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
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28But if there be no interpreter,
let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak
to himself, and to God.
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28but if there is no interpreter,
he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak
to himself and to God.
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29Let the prophets speak
two or three, and let the other judge.
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29Let two or three prophets speak,
and let the others pass judgment.
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30If any thing be revealed to
another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
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30But if a revelation is made to
another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
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34Let your women keep silence
in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are
commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
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34The women are to keep
silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are
to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
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35And if they will learn any
thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame
for women to speak in the church.
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35If they desire to learn
anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is
improper for a woman to speak in church.
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37If 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.
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37If anyone thinks he is a
prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I
write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
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38But if any man be ignorant, let
him be ignorant.
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38But if anyone does not
recognize this, he is not recognized.
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39Wherefore, brethren, covet
to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
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39Therefore, my brethren, desire
earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in
tongues.
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40Let all things be done
decently and in order.
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40But all things must be
done properly and in an orderly manner.
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We do not understand
fully the situation that led Paul to write to the Corinthian believers about
the use of spiritual gifts. Nevertheless, as we examine the imperatives in 1
Corinthians 14, we see clearly that we should observe the following principles
as we use spiritual gifts in public worship:
- Always
exercise the gifts in love.
Love is the theme of chapter 13, and it recurs at the beginning of this chapter
(1).
- Seek
(the best) spiritual gifts.
While speaking in tongues was not to be barred from public worship (39), it was
not the most valuable gift. Rather, prophecy seems to have held that place
(39). Furthermore, the gift of tongues was not sufficient by itself, but needed
to be accompanied by interpretation (13).
- Use
the spiritual gifts for the welfare of others. At least in the context of public worship,
the gifts were to be used for the edification of the church rather than for
personal gain (12, 26).
- Strive
for order and clear communication. The gift of tongues was to be accompanied by interpretation. If an
interpreter was not available, there could be no communication or edification,
and thus the gift of tongues was to be suppressed (13, 27, 28). Silence was as
necessary to fruitful worship as was intelligible speech. Members with speaking
gifts such as tongues and prophecy were to listen to one another in turn, not
speak at the same time (27-30). A limited number of members were to address the
congregation at any given meeting (27, 29). Women were enjoined to refrain from
speaking and to ask questions at home (34). In summary, all things were to “be
done decently and in order” (40).
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