1 Corinthians 14 - Is It Appropriate to Speak in Tongues in Church?
Intelligibility in Worship
14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Though Paul did not discount or discourage the spiritual gift of speaking of tongues, he needed to set some boundaries for the practice of speaking in tongues for the Corinthians in worship. Paul tells the Corinthians to, "Eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit." Note, we can desire the spiritual gifts and eagerly pursue them. But Paul focuses first on the gift of prophecy.
The issue Paul had with people speaking in tongues without there being an interpreter is that no one could understand the message. On the contrary, the person who prophesies is speaking in a known language, which people can understand. Paul says this gift "strengthens, encourages, and comforts", the body of Christ. The word "edify" means to "build up".
This is why Paul teaches them to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy, because it builds up the body of Christ. The person who prophesies is not greater in the sense of being more important, but the impact of speaking the an intelligible word from God is greater.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
Paul likens someone speaking in an unknown language (I.e. tongues) to someone speaking a language to a person who doesn't know it. They may hear the words, but they cannot understand them. Paul wants them to pursue gifts which will grow and strengthen the church. And he says to "excel in them". We must pursue excellence as we pursue gifts of prophesy, teaching, prophecy, pastoring, and healing.
Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Are you excelling in your use of them? If you don't know your gifts I can send you a spiritual gift inventory and a list of the different gifts if you like!
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
Paul also brings up two other ways where the gift of tongues can be used in worship. First, one can "pray in tongues". Like speaking in tongues, praying in tongues is praying in a language that only God understands. When praying in tongues one is not using their mind but relying solely on the Spirit. Paul uses the same analogy with praising God in tongues, or "singing in tongues".
So Paul's teaching on tongues is clear. While he does not forbid speaking in tongues, he makes it crystal when it is helpful and when it is unhelpful. His litmus test is does it strengthen the faith of those in attendance. When someone does not understand the words whether it is used in teaching, praying, or worshipping, it does not build them up. It only builds up the individual speaking, praying, or singing in tongues.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigner, I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”
Paul acknowledges that even though he speaks in tongues, but he would rather speak five intelligible words in a known language than ten thousand words spoken in tongues.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
This is another reason why Paul forbids the speaking of tongues, because if an unbeliever comes in they will think the church is crazy. But as someone prophesies and they are convicted of their sin through the simple preaching of the gospel and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Good Order in Worship
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
Paul concludes by affirming the speaking of tongues as one of the one of the many ways each person can be involved in worship. Note the early church wasn't just about one person preaching the sermon but each person brought something of spiritual value to the table. Some churches still operate under this model. Most do not. Maybe something for churches like my own to think about.
Bottom line for Paul. If there is no one interpreting someone speaking in tongues, it does not add value to corporate worship. It does not build them up.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Paul envisions multiple people speaking and prophesying one by one in worship. He seems to say that all people can prophesy in this setting. But he always teaches this to be done order. God is not a God of disorder but of peace. He refers to many other congregations as well, which he is well familiar with.
At the same time, the heart of “everyone shares something with everyone else” can take place in a larger church gathering. But it is more expressed in “everyone shares something with someone else.” It says, “I am coming to church, but not only to receive a blessing. I am coming to give a blessing to someone, and I will ask God for an opportunity to bless someone today.” This way of thinking can make the fifteen minutes before a church meeting, and the thirty minutes after, the best and most exciting time of ministry. It is a big mistake for anyone to think, “If I’m not up on the platform, I can’t minister to someone else today.” Instead, they should be on the lookout for opportunities to pray with people, encourage people, help people, meet people, and love people every time they come to church. - Guzik
The goal of coming together as a church is not to be entertained, nor even to be “pleased” with a “blessing.” We gather for edification, for the spiritual building up we need to live lives that glorify Jesus Christ outside the walls of the church. As Paul said in Ephesians 4:12, the goal is the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Our Christian lives are lived on the outside, and we come to be strengthened, built up, and equipped when we come together as a church family.
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