Gift of Tongues 3 - 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

In review, the gift of tongues is given to believers in order to teach others the gospel. And while it is a good gift to have if you need it, it is better to edify those around you, even if it is in your natural language. If we consider it from that perspective, then Paul’s next words will make a little bit more sense. He’s been teaching that it is better to edify others than to teach in tongues, but then he says that the scriptures teach, “men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people.” If someone else speaks to the saints in a language that is unknown to the speaker, then it will edify and be known to his audience, so that would be a proper use of the gift of tongues.

But Paul continues, “wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.” I really didn’t understand this at all, but the more that I thought about it, I had some ideas about what it might mean. If the gift of tongues is for people to hear the gospel in their own language, then the fact that someone who doesn’t know their language is speaking powerful words about God could serve as a sign that the power of that God is behind the testimony. That would be a “sign” to those who are not believers. It would be a manifestation of God’s power to those who don’t know about the gospel.

The article about this chapter from gospeldoctrine.com cites the day of Pentecost as an example of what Paul means with this phrase. Jews from all around the known world came to Jerusalem for the feast, and through the power of the Holy Ghost, Peter and the other apostles were able to teach them about the gospel in their own language. I would imagine that there were probably many visiting Jews who had relatively obscure languages, so to hear powerful words about God in their own tongue would have absolutely testified of God’s power and hand in the words being taught. Now that I think about it, these visitors probably just spoke Hebrew while visiting Jerusalem because not many other people probably spoke their language. So hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language, facilitated by the power of God would probably be an incredibly large “sign” to them who “believe not.”

The rest of that verse says, “but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” If we remember that prophesying in this context speaks of the testimony borne by each member, then this phrase makes sense. While bearing testimony is an important part of teaching the gospel, the teaching part of explanations and questions is where the conversation starts. And the testimony of others does not convert, only the Holy Ghost does that. The bearing of testimonies and expounding the scriptures is a critical part of being fed by the good word of God.

There really wouldn’t be any benefit to speaking in tongues with other believers, and Paul points out what most of us would think when coming into a place where everyone was saying things that didn’t make any sense to them, “those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?” Those who are “speaking in tongues,” will look like they are crazy. But if the “unlearned, or unbelievers” come in and hear testimony of Christ, “he is convinced of all.” It all comes down to people being able to hear and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language. That’s the purpose of the gift of tongues.

Paul makes a good point about everyone having their own agenda when it comes to their church meetings, and it would make sense if some of the people believed that speaking in tongues was a good thing, but if the purpose wasn’t there, then there would be no need and no gift granted. Instead of everyone coming to church and “every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation,” the meeting can get out of control pretty quickly. Having a universal curriculum would be super difficult back in these times, and I don’t even know if that was what anyone was going for, a unity in teaching. But Paul gives a good target to aim for, a good guidepost, saying, “let all things be done unto edifying.” The only purpose of anything anyone does in a church meeting should be to uplift others around them, and if that is the only purpose focused on then the other members will be strengthened in the Lord and ready to go out and face the world again.

Like Paul talked about with the importance of having an interpretation to go along with the gift of tongues, he instructs those who feel like they need to speak using the gift of tongues, “if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” This really takes all the wind out of the sails of those who want to use the gift of tongues to look important in the eyes of others. They would really have to coordinate with someone else to pull off that farce, and then they would have to openly be plotting to deceive the church members and that requires a strong level of commitment, which most passive seekers of attention wouldn’t go so far to involve.

He really advocates letting people speak and testify “and let the other judge.” To me this is a way to try to create a space where people can contribute to the spirit of the meeting, but not in a way that’s overpowering so that no one else can contribute. It’s about uplifting everyone, not one person making themselves fell important by having all the answers. This is something I need to work on during church meetings. I don’t need to make every single comment that comes into my head, I need to relax and let others participate as well, and not just wait for my turn to talk, but honestly listen to what they are saying and take it into my own consideration. As all participate, all are taught, “for ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” 

With all the non-uniformity that seemed to be reigning in the early church, Paul reminds the saints that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” God doesn’t teach people his gospel by using words that no one in the room understands. He doesn’t have people lead his church who are eager to show off their “spirituality” to others by using nonsensical words and sounds. God teaches his gospel simply and organizes his kingdom with defined roles. Which brings Paul to his next, seemingly unrelated point where he advises church members “let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.” 

Now, being who I am, I read this and was like “ummm…. No.” But then I had to remember that Jesus is the champion of women, so when I did a little bit more research, I remembered that Paul already discussed women teaching and participating in the church because of the whole “head covering” things, so obviously he wasn’t saying that we should be silent in the church. Another clarifying point comes in verse 35 which has a JST that changes the phrase from, “it is a shame for women to speak in the church,” to “it is a shame for women to rule in the church.” The IM explains, “This word change suggests the possibility that Paul was trying to correct a situation in which some Corinthian women were either being disorderly during worship services or seeking to take the lead from priesthood leaders.” It goes on to say that in the church today, women are called to “teach, testify, exhort, and serve,” but all members, both male and female, are not to “usurp the authority given to priesthood leaders.”

As he’s winding down his letter, Paul begins to summarize his points, and in my own words, Paul urges those with a testimony to consider whether or not his words “are the commandments of the Lord.” And he advises all who believe to be anxious for a testimony of Jesus Christ, and able to speak with the gift of tongues, but “let all things be done decently and in order.”