1 Corinthians 14:26-33

26: What 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.
27: If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;
28: but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
29: Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
30: But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
31: For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32: and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33: for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

*** 

Paul gave specific instruction for what it should look like when they assembled together. Each one was to contribute something. It might be a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, or a tongue and interpretation. Whatever it was, it was to edify the church, as he’d explained so far, so everyone could understand what was being said and what was going on.

If anyone spoke out publicly during the assembly in a tongue it should be one at a time, with an interpreter, and only two or three times. If there was no one to interpret the tongue then the person should not speak it out publicly, but speak to themselves and to God quietly and privately. Paul had said in verse 13 that he who spoke in a tongue should pray for the interpretation, so there should not be an excuse for speaking out in tongues without an interpretation.

Paul then gave instruction concerning prophets. He said to let two or three of them speak and the others were to judge what they were saying according to what was revealed to them. A prophet should only speak if the Holy Spirit is giving him a revelation. And they should listen to each other so their revelations can be judged and compared. Paul didn’t limit prophecy in the gatherings like he did with tongues. In fact, he encouraged them to learn to prophesy. He said that all of them could prophesy one by one, so all might learn, and all be exhorted.

He added that the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, meaning that a person is in control of themselves as to whether and when they speak. The Holy Spirit is not going to overtake a person to the point of them having no control over themselves. In light of that, it’s not a valid excuse for a person to say they couldn’t help but speak out what was revealed to them. They were to learn how to receive a revelation from the Spirit and release it at the proper time, for God doesn’t cause confusion in the churches, but peace.

The gifts are an important part of God’s communication with His church. Being used in them is something all believers should earnestly desire and seek the Lord for regarding their part and place in them. Yet we must keep order while releasing the gifts so they may do what they are intended to do, which is to help believers mature, know the Lord, and grow in relationship with Him. All glory is to go to God. The gifts are always to be implemented in love and humility, not for self-glorification.



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