APRIL 11, 2021
ORDERLY CONDUCT IN THE ASSEMBLY
1. In this chapter, the Apostle is directing them in the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those most that are best suited to do the most good. He therefore argued that those gifts by which the Gospel was communicated to the whole body were to be preferred. Thus, prophesying (preaching) was more useful than speaking in tongues.
2. This was because prophesying required no interpreter in order to edify the whole body. This was not the case with speaking in tongues, and this is the reason that speaking in tongues was forbidden unless an interpreter was present. Besides, he who spoke in tongues (without an interpreter), spoke only to God, Who needs not such a ministry. (Psa. 16:2)
3. The Apostle variously illustrated how, not only did tongues not edify, but might well have been cause for confusion. (Verses 7-11) He likened them to a pipe or harp which gave no distinct sound; to a trumpet which gave an uncertain signal; to foreign language which lacked signification to those unlearned in them.
4. Next we see that Paul was also concerned about the confusion that tongues would cause in the minds of unbelievers who came into the assembly.
I. PAUL ASSERTS THAT TONGUES WERE FOR A SIGN TO UNBELIEVERS WHEREAS PROPHESYING WAS FOR A SIGN TO BELIEVERS. (VERSES 21-25)
A. TONGUES, AS THE CORINTHIANS WERE USING THEM, WERE RATHER A TOKEN OF DIVINE JUDGMENT THAN OF BLESSING FROM GOD. (VERSE 21)
1. Paul here refers to Isaiah 28:11. However, he does not quote the passage as having any prophetic reference to the event at Corinth, nor does he give and allegorical interpretation of it in order to make it a condemnation of speaking with tongues. It is simply a reference to an event in Jewish history from which the Corinthians might derive a useful lesson. The Jews had refused to hear the prophets speaking their own language, and God threatened to bring upon them a people whose language they could not under-stand. From this they might learn that it was no mark of divine favor to have teachers whose language they could not understand. They were turning a blessing into a curse.
2. The gift of tongues was designed, among other things, to facilitate the propagation of the Gospel by enabling Christians to address people of various nations each in his own language. Used for this purpose it was a great blessing, but to employ it for the sake of display in addressing people of their own language was to make it a curse.
B. TONGUES WERE RATHER A SIGN TO UNBELIEVERS THAN TO BELIEVERS (VERSE 22)
1. They were a spiritual gift intended for the conversion of sinners, so that they might be brought into the Christian church.
2. The gift of tongues was necessary for the spread of Christianity, intended to convince unbelievers of the doctrine that Christians had already embraced.
3. However, converts were to be built up in the faith by instructions in their own language. Prophesying and interpreting Scripture was more profitable for such as already believed.
C. PROPESYING WAS PREFERRABLE TO SPEAKING WITH TONGUES FOR SAKE OF THE EFFECT IT WOULD HAVE ON UNBELIEVERS. (VERSES 23-25)
1. It is clear from this passage that the church assemblies were to have an evangelistic appeal, and that the conversion of unbelievers was to be desired. However, this result could not be achieved unless those who came could hear with the understanding. Thus, those who ministered were to speak intelligibly. If the ministers and others were all speaking with other tongues, then visitors who entered the assembly would think they were insane, and conclude that Christianity was ridiculous. (Verses 22, 23)
2. But, on the other hand, if those who spoke preached plainly the truths of Scripture, there would be reason to hope for the conversion of unbelievers. It is by the plain preaching of the Word that the Holy Spirit convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come. By this means, He reveals the secrets of men’s hearts, and brings them to repentance and faith, to worship the true and living God. (Verses 24, 25)
II. PAUL DENOUNCES THE DISORDER AND CONFUSION THAT THEY WERE BRINGING INTO THE ASSEMBLY. (VERSES 26-33)
A. HE BLAMES THEM FOR CAUSING CONFUSION BY THEIR OSTENTATIOUS BEHAVIOR. (VERSE 26)
1. It would seem that they were confounding the various aspects of worship.
2. It also appears that they were speaking over one another, causing disorder.
3. This could not possibly have been edifying to the church, plus it gave the church a horrible image in the eyes of strangers.
B. HE CORRECTS THEIR FAULTS AND ESTABLISHES SOME RULES OF ORDER FOR FUTURE PRACTICE. (VERSES 27-30)
1. As for tongues, no more than two or three in any one meeting, and only one at a time, provided there was an interpreter present. Otherwise, they were to keep silent in the church. (Verses 27, 28)
2. As to prophesying, two or three only should speak at one meeting, and only in succession, not all at once; and that the other should examine and approve what was preached. They were to be in agreement as to the divine authority of the word given. This was to safeguard against false prophets and mere pretenders. (Verse 29)
3. If one of the prophets attending had something to interject by way of revelation, the one speaking was to yield to him for the time. (Verse 30) This was so that the whole church could benefit from what each one had to say. (Verse 31)
4. He adds, “…and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” (Verse 32) They needed not to speak together, for they would all have opportunity in due order. The Spirit, i.e. the divine Influence under which they spoke was not of such a nature to destroy self-control. There was no necessity why they would interrupt one another. The divine Influence is to order not confusion.
C. THE APOSTLE GIVES REASONS FOR THESE REGULATIONS. (VERSES 31, 33)
1. That all should benefit in knowledge and comfort. (Verse 31b)
2. The honor of God requires them. (Verse 33) God is the God of order, not confusion. Our assemblies are first and foremost to bring glory and honor to Him.
III. HE FORBIDS WOMEN SPEAKING IN THE CHURCH. (VERSES 34, 35)
A. THAT WHICH IS HERE FOREBIDDEN IS THE PUBLIC MINISTRY, INCLUDING PROPHESYING AND SPEAKING WITH TONGUES. (VERSE 34)
1. This was the rule in all Christian churches.
2. This is in accordance with the will of God as made known in The Law, i.e. The Old Testament. There, as well as in the New Testament, the doctrine that women are to be in subjection is clearly revealed.
B. THEY WERE NOT TO OPENLY INQUIRE ABOUT WHAT WAS TAUGHT. (VERSE 35)
1. Their desire for understanding is not to be repressed. They may ask their husbands at home.
2. The reason assigned for their silence is given. “For it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” The word “shame” means that which is ugly or deformed, thus detracting from what is essential to a woman’s true attractiveness, that being a meek and a quiet spirit.
IV. PAUL CONCLUDES THIS SUBJECT BY REQUIRING THEM TO PREFORM ALL THINGS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP WITH ORDER AND DECENCY. (VERSES 36-40)
A. HE REBUKES THE CORINTHIANS FOR THEIR ARROGANT AND EXTRAVAGANT PRIDE AND SELF CONCEIT. (VERSE 36)
1. This rebuke is delivered in cutting sarcasm. “What? Came the Word of God out form you? Or came it unto you only?”
a) Did the Gospel originate with them? Did Christianity come out of Corinth? Did it originate with them?
b) Or, if not, was it now limited and confined to them? Were they the only church favored with divine revelation?
c) Did they think that they were free to depart from the good practices of all other churches?
2. He clearly found their behavior to be intolerably assuming, and thus he rebukes them sternly.
B. HE LET THEM KNOW THAT WHAT HE SAID TO THEM WAS THE COMMAND OF GOD. (VERSES 37, 38)
1. No truly spiritual person or prophet of God would deny his divine authority.
2. Those who were truly the Lord’s were obligated to abide by what the Apostle of Christ said.
3. Let all who profess Christianity understand that these commands which came from the inspired Apostle’s pen are binding upon them.
4. But, if any refuse to hear, let them remain in their willful ignorance. (Verse 38)
C. HE SUMS UP ALL IN TWO GENERAL WORDS OF ADVICE. (VERSES 39, 40)
1. They were not to despise the gift of tongues, nor count it of no use, yet they should prefer prophesying. (Verse 39)
a) The regulations that he gave were not intended to eliminate the use of tongues altogether.
b) But, the scope of this whole argument is that prophesying was to be preferred, because it was the more useful gift.
2. He charges them to let all things be done decently and in order. (Verse 40)
a) They must do nothing that was manifestly childish. (Verse 20)
b) They must be careful not to give occasion to any to say they were mad. (Verse 33)
3. Let us therefore be careful that we give no occasion for our Christian faith to be evil spoken of.
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