1 Corinthians 14:20-40 Order that Edifies

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Order that Edifies
1 Corinthians 14:20-40
January 12, 2025

All through the book of Corinthians, Paul is busy giving the Corinthians direction on how to live in their new life in Christ. In chapter 12 he addressed spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit and that it should be for the edification of the body, based on love. (Chapter 13).

Last time, we spoke about prophecy and tongues so that we could really understand what it is and what the context of it is.

Now, as we look at the whole of chapter 14, we see that Paul gives them direction for when they get together as a church.

God is a God of order. Even though the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of liberty and freedom, God does not go against His own nature. For example, we are set free by the blood of Jesus from sin, death, and the bondage of sin, but not for the freedom to go sin more and go back into bondage.

We have freedom to choose to come under the governance of God.

We see order in everything in nature. Even in our physical bodies there is a set order. When there are cells that don’t function as they ought to and get out of control, we call it cancerous and a problem.

In the same way, the body of Christ is vibrant and alive, but there is order.

This is what Paul gave them directions on, speaking into their gatherings, and how the gifts should be appropriated.

Last week we set the foundation, understanding that Paul is not opposed to the gifts. In fact, he urges them to desire it earnestly. So, we should not see this as a rebuke of the use of gifts, but rather on how to apply it effectively.

Illus – A car can be a wonderful thing in the hands of an experienced, trustworthy driver. But it can be a murder weapon in the hands of an unstable drunk.

Now that we have this context, it is easier to understand Paul’s direction in these things. He gives instruction from the angle of corporate gathering. It is not instructions on tongues or the gifts in the personal life of the believer, but instruction on the order in the gatherings.

We need to understand the context of their gatherings. It did not look like ours today. It was smaller, house group churches. Still, disorder crept in.

Today we have the blessing that there are so many people gathering, that Sundays have become a celebration of people coming together, worshipping God, and receiving biblically sound teaching.

But we still have growth groups, small groups, care groups, or cell groups where believers gather. This chapter gives great guidelines and wisdom we need for these to flow in godly order.

I. Spiritual Gifts that Edify

Last week we studied the gift of tongues, and the gift of prophecy. We saw that tongues are a personal prayer and praise language which God gives the believer to edify himself and pray mysteries to God.

Prophecy is mostly referring to inspired preaching and teaching where the Holy Spirit brings the written word (logos) to life (rhema) as it impacts people with the power of the Spirit. There can also be fore-telling prophecy but it should be very diligently tested by the elders.

Paul now gives directions on how these gifts should operate in the gatherings.

A. Tongues with interpretation

Although Paul exhorted them to pray in tongues as much as possible in their personal life, he said they were applying it wrong in their gatherings.
People were just praying in tongues all together or just bursting forth in tongues.
He says that this is not the way it should be. If an unbeliever walks in and hear you all doing that, won’t he think you are all crazy?
Furthermore, he says that even though he speaks in tongues more than all of them, he would rather speak 5 words in a language the people understand than 10 000 in tongues, because the gifts operating in the gathering are to edify the church.
How can someone say amen, in other words, let it be so, or yes, I agree with that, if he doesn’t know what you are saying?
So Paul says, because of that, the only space for tongues in the gathering is when there is a tongue and interpretation of that tongue.
To understand this, we need to go back to 1 Corinthians 12 where he speaks of the gifts of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:10, … to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

From this it is apparent that one of the applications of tongues in the context of the church body is tongues that are linked to an interpretation. Although many can receive the gift of tongues, not everyone has the gift of speaking in tongues with interpretation in the body.
Paul makes this a condition of speaking in tongues in the gathering.

Illus – If I would teach in Afrikaans this morning and do not have an interpreter present, very few people will understand and it is worthless. It might be interesting, but worthless.

Verse 13 – Therefore, let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Either someone must have the gift of interpretation, or the one with the tongue should pray for interpretation. If there is no interpreter, then one should keep quiet.
Concerning interpretation, it is also important to understand that correctly. When one speaks in a tongue, he speaks mysteries to God. If an interpretation comes forth then, it should be in the context of a prayer or a praise. It is not a prelude to a “Thus says the Lord…” prophecy.
That is a mixing of two gifts. There might be prophecy, but it is not because of the tongues.
Verse 22 – As discussed last week, tongues can also be a sign to the unbeliever if the Holy Spirit uses it in the same context as in Acts 2. But this is a very specific gifting for the moment.

B. Prophecy that edifies

Prophecy is that which is inspired preaching and teaching, forth-telling, and sometimes, fore- telling. We do see examples of this, for example when Agabus prophesied that Paul would be bound and taken to Rome.
Yet one should be very careful to build your life on fore-telling prophetic word.
Paul says that prophecy is a sign to those who believe. When hearing inspired preaching and teaching from God’s word, the believers faith grows and they mature in the word.
Also, when a confirmation of that which God has been speaking to you on comes forth, it strengthens your faith.
While an unbeliever might think the church is all mad if they speak together in tongues, it is totally different when he hears people prophecy.
The thoughts of his heart is laid bare and he can come to faith.

Illus – I’ve seen many times before how people get together for a Bible study, and as they start to share what God has placed on their hearts it seems like there is a common thread through all of the scriptures, aligning into a beautiful theme driven by the Holy Spirit. A few times I’ve seen an unbeliever in that scenario being touched deeply as the theme and message of the day directly impacts his or her life.

Illus – Also in church, while inspired teaching goes forth, the Holy Spirit highlights different aspects to different people from the same message as He sees fit.

II. Spirit of Order

Something that has pushed a lot of people away and made them weary of the working of the Holy Spirit, is when it has been handled with immaturity and with lack of knowledge in congregations or churches. Instead of being edifying, it has left a bad taste in many people’s mouths.
God’s Spirit is a Spirit of peace and order, not of chaos. He wants people to be comforted and edified, drawn, not pushed away. The hungry and spiritually thirsty were drawn to Jesus.

A. The body functions in order

Just like our physical bodies function in order, Paul uses the analogy of the body again describing that God is a God of order in the gatherings.
Verse 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.
The body is encouraged to minister to one another. We should build up each other.
Yet Paul says, even this must be done in order. If there is a tongue and interpretation, wait for one another. Don’t talk over each other. And limit it to two or three.
If there is a prophecy, also take turns and limit it to two or three.
And then he gives a very important principle: The Spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. (verse 32)
I have been in a few church gatherings where someone would get up in the middle of the sermon and start speaking in tongues, or start saying “Thus says the Lord…”. This is not from God. If the pastor is wise, he would then have that person removed because it is not biblical order.
There are people that can be emotionally unstable, or lack self-control, and they “feel” urged by the Spirit to say that thing now.
This is not biblical, as God does not override your will. Whatever gifting is flowing through you is still your choice to speak what God presses on your heart and it can be done at the opportune time.
By the way, that is why we do not allow it in the Sunday gatherings, because we have a lot of people in the sanctuary, and frankly we do not know everyone that walks in here. We have the responsibility to protect the sheep and the guests that are here.
When the gift of prophecy and interpretation does flow, it must also be judged by those who are spiritually wise and mature in leadership.
Everything must be judged by the word as, once again, God does not contradict Himself.

B. God brings peace, not confusion

Paul ends with a last few directions. He exhorts them to come in line with all the other churches of the saints and how they operate. (Verse 33)
He then speaks to the women. And this scripture has been widely misunderstood.

Verse 34 – The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

Seen from our western culture, this looks very offensive. We need to understand the context.
What makes it even more confusing, is that Paul said in chapter 11 that women were allowed to pray and prophecy. So, what does this mean?
When they would gather, the men and the women would be separated across the aisle. The women would be excited to hear the gospel, but some would, if they did not understand, call across the aisle to their husbands asking them to explain.

Illus – Maybe you have also experienced this before. Like when you are in a movie theatre, and there is someone behind you that is hard of hearing, so they keep asking their friend: What did he say?

Now imagine that happening across the aisle. Paul says that this is disorderly and distracting. If you don’t understand, wait till you get home and ask your husband.
He closes off by saying that if anyone thinks he is spiritual or a prophet, let him recognize that what is written here is the Lord’s command. If anyone does not recognize these commands, you are not recognized.
It has happened that prophets in the past would waft into church, wanting to come bring prophetic words, and would even say that they do not recognize the authority of the elders or the pastor. This is why we need to know the word.
This scripture then clearly states that someone who does not abide by these commands, is not recognized and should not be allowed to talk.
After all this, Paul ends the chapter, again encouraging them. Desire earnestly to prophesy, speak words of scripture and edification into one another’s lives, do not forbid people to speak in tongues. It is a beautiful , personal, enriching gift, but do all in proper order.
In the in the end, it is all about love. It is about unity. Where brethren dwell together in unity, there the Lord commands a blessing. This is how the church is safe and edified.

1 Corinthians 14:20-40 NASB

²⁰Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. ²¹In the Law it is written: “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. ²²So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. ²³Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane? ²⁴But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; ²⁵the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

²⁶What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification. ²⁷If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret; ²⁸but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment. ³⁰But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent. ³¹For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; ³²and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; ³³for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, ³⁴the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. ³⁵If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. ³⁶Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?

³⁷If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. ³⁸But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

³⁹Therefore, my brothers and sisters, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰But all things must be done properly and in an orderly way.

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