Paul Orders Tongues and Prophecy in the Corinthian Assembly

Paul does not forbid speaking in tongues in the Corinthian assembly, but he subordinates it sharply to prophecy. The reason is not abstract: tongues spoken without interpretation leave the congregation untaught. A man praying in a tongue, Paul writes, may have his spirit engaged, but his understanding is unfruitful. The assembly gains nothing from sounds it cannot follow.

He draws on ordinary examples to make the point plain. A pipe or a harp must give distinct notes, or no one recognizes the tune. A trumpet that blows an uncertain call leaves soldiers unprepared for battle. Speech that cannot be understood is speech thrown into the air. If a man speaking in a tongue meets a man who does not know that tongue, each is a barbarian to the other. The problem is not the gift itself but its use without translation.

Paul does not dismiss tongues as worthless. He thanks God that he speaks in tongues more than all the Corinthians. But in the church, he would rather speak five words with his understanding, instructing others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. The measure is not personal edification but the building up of the whole body.

Prophecy, by contrast, speaks directly to the congregation. The prophet addresses men for edification, exhortation, and consolation. When an unbeliever or an unlearned person enters a gathering where all are prophesying, the secrets of his heart are exposed. He falls on his face and worships God, declaring that God is truly among them. Tongues, Paul says, are a sign for unbelievers, but prophecy is a sign for believers. The order is practical: the assembly needs to understand what is said.

Paul then gives rules for the gatherings. When the church comes together, each person may bring a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. But everything must be done for edification. If someone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, speaking in turn, and let one interpret. If no interpreter is present, the speaker must keep silent in the church and speak only to himself and to God.

For prophets, the same limit applies: two or three may speak, and the others must discern what is said. If a revelation comes to someone sitting nearby, the first speaker must fall silent. All can prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and be exhorted. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Paul also directs that women are to keep silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but are to be in subjection, as the law says. If they wish to learn anything, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. He asks whether the word of God came from the Corinthians alone or reached only them, implying that the practice in other churches supports this instruction.

He closes with a challenge. If anyone thinks himself a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that what Paul writes is the commandment of the Lord. If anyone ignores this, let him be ignorant. Then he sums up: desire earnestly to prophesy, do not forbid speaking in tongues, but let all things be done decently and in order.