1 Corinthians 14 - What Is the Proper Place of Speaking Tongues in the Church Today?

1 Corinthians 14 - NIV

I would highly recommend you read the commentary for this chapter. I found it helpful in understand these verses. 


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[a] 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,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

As Paul closes out his teaching on spiritual gifts, in chapter 14 he focuses exclusively on two gifts, speaking in tongues and prophecy. First of all, it is clear that Paul sees speaking in tongues as a legitimate gift that was not only just for the apostles to use at Pentecost. He sees it as a positive gift to be used in the church then, and by application today. Second, it is important to state that when Paul uses the word "prophecy" he is not talking about "predictive prophecy", but "prescriptive prophecy". What do I mean by this? 

The word for prophecy means "to put forth word of the Lord". Its main purpose is to build up the body of Christ. The Word of God edifies the hearer, which is why it is so useful in the context of worship. So Paul tells them that they should eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. 

As far as speaking in tongues goes, Paul gives specific instructions of how to use it and not to use it. In the Corinthian church speaking in tongues became prideful. Some of those who spoke in tongues pridefully considered themselves more full of the Holy Spirit than others. This kind of pride has plagued the church since then, with some churches insisting that if someone doesn't speak in tongues, they don't really have the Holy Spirit. This kind of teaching has done a lot of damage in regard to the proper understanding and use of this gift. 

As often happens, this kind of teaching leads to black and white thinking. Some churches would say everyone should have the gift of tongues. Others would say no one has it, because it was only a gift for the apostles and first church. But Paul dispels both of these polar opposites errors by affirming the legitimacy of the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues both then and now. 

The key teaching is that if someone speaks in tongues in public worship there should be an interpreter. Why? Because if there is no interpreter, the speaking of tongues only builds up only the individual believer. There is no value to the rest of the body. Besides if an unbeliever comes to church, they might think you are out of your mind. 

Paul also mentions praying and singing in tongues, but uses a similar logic when he says that the person should not just pray with the spirit, but their mind too. 

If this is a legitimate spiritual gift, why don't we see more it in evangelical, bible believing churches. I don't have a good answer to that question. I would guess it is because the gift of tongues has not been taught, or taught poorly. Notice as well that Paul describes the public worship setting when two maybe three would offer a word of prophecy. Paul uses a different word for "preaching", so it would appear that he is talking about lay people using this gift. 

I have seen this demonstrated at church and pastor conferences, where there is a gathering of 40 to 50 people. I think it works well in this setting, which is probably the same type of attendance in a first century house churches.  Bottom line, I think this is a spiritual gift that is underused in the church. Perhaps there would be venues where we could teach more about it and give people a chance to experience it. 

Read in the Enduring Word Commentary where they suggest some healthy ways to explore this gift vs. some ways that not been so helpful. The negative methods he talks about are a reason that the average believer shies away from experimentation with the spiritual gift of tongues. 

What are your thoughts and what have been your experiences with the use of these prophecy and tongues in your church setting?

Jesus, thank you for not leaving us as orphans but sending us the Holy Spirit as a gift to help us live out our spiritual life and life a life worthy of our calling. Thank you for bestowing all spiritual gifts on the Church through the Holy Spirit, including the gifts of speaking in tongues and prophecy. May we eagerly desire the use of all the gifts, especially prophesy! Amen. 


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