Spiritual Gifts Lesson 14: The Taming of the Tongue 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

I.Introduction A.These verses are Paul’s conclusion 1.To chapter 14 2.To chapters To chapters 1-14 B.These verses are a corrective to abuses in the church at Corinth C.These verses pertain to the meeting of the church D.These verses regulate speaking in the church meeting

E.Paul’s instructions in our text focus on three groups in the church: Tongues-speakersvss Prophetsvss a Womenvss. 33b-35 F.Paul’s authority is emphasized and his instructions are summarized – vss

II.Beginning at the End (vss ) 36 Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone? 37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues. 40 And do everything in a decent and orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:36-40).

A.Paul emphasizes his authority – vss The Word of God did not originate with the Corinthians – vs Those who are spiritual, those who will be regarded, are those who acknowledge that these instructions from Paul are the Lord’s command – vss

B. Paul summarizes his instruction – vss So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues. 40 And do everything in a decent and orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:39-40). 1.Seek to prophesy – vs Don’t forbid speaking in tongues – vs Everything to be done decently and in an orderly way – vs. 40

III.Setting the stage: How things are, and how things should be – vs What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church (1 Corinthians 14:26). A. Intended participation is all verbal. B. The examples may all be spiritual gifts C. All come determined to speak D. The governing principle is that of edification

IV. Specific Instructions for tongues speakers – vss If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). A.No more than three can speak – vs. 27 B.They must speak one-at-a-time – vs. 27 C.There must be an interpreter – vs. 28

V.Specific Instructions for prophets – vss a 29 Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said. 30 And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude. 31 For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged. 32 Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 33 for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace (1 Corinthians 14:29-33a).

A.Three, at most, can speak – vs. 29 B.Speak one after the other – vs. 31 C.All prophecy should be evaluated by the others – vs. 29 D.A prophet who is speaking should yield the floor to one who receives a spontaneous revelation – vs. 30 E.Inspiration isn’t necessarily divine designation to speak – vs. 32. (The spirits are subject to the prophets.) F.God is characterized by order and peace, not chaos – vs. 33

V.Instructions to women – vss. 33b-35 As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says. 35 If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church (1 Corinthians 14:33b-35).

A.Women are to be silent/not to speak in the churches 1. This is an act of submission 2. This is consistent with the law 3. To speak in church is disgraceful 4. Women’s silence includes asking questions B.There is a whole lot of waffling done here (see next frame)

There is no doubt at all as to Paul's meaning here. In church, the women are not allowed to speak (lalein) nor even to ask questions. They are to do that at home (en oikôi). He calls it a shame (aischron) as in 11:6 (cf. Eph 5:12; Tit 1:11). Certainly women are still in subjection (hupotassesthôsan) to their husbands (or ought to be). But somehow modern Christians have concluded that Paul's commands on this subject, even 1Ti 2:12, were meant for specific conditions that do not apply wholly now. Women do most of the teaching in our Sunday schools today. It is not easy to draw the line... It seems clear that we need to be patient with each other as we try to understand Paul's real meaning here (A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament).

VII. Conclusion A.Silence edifies the church... 1.By avoiding unedifying speech 2.By helping to maintain proportion in the meeting of the church 3.By giving others a chance to participate. 4.By promoting male headship (leadership) 5.By demonstrating the work (fruit) of the Spirit – love, peace, & self control (Galatians 5:22-23)

B.Guiding principles 1.Everything done should edify others 2.Inspiration is not divine direction 3.The Spirit’s leading involves human (our) choices and decisions 4.Love seeks to edify, and this requires self- control and self-sacrifice. 5.Love listens for opportunities to serve 6.Orderliness is an expression of godliness 7.Obedience to Paul’s instructions here are a test of true spirituality

8.The solution to the abuse of spiritual gifts (like tongues and prophecy) is not prohibition, but instruction and structure (guidelines)

VIII. So what should this look like at CBC? A.Things at CBC are not identical with what we see in the New Testament churches 1.We don’t eat a full meal. 2.We don’t meet late into the night B.Our schedule seeks to keep proper proportions. C.We must listen carefully before we speak D.We must strive for the fruit of the Spirit (love, self-control)

E.We need to reflect on what it means to have a “Spirit-led” meeting. An impulse to speak is not necessarily the “leading of the Spirit.” F.Silence for some should mean speech for others. (While some may need not to speak, others may need to speak up.) Copyright © 2007 by Community Bible Chapel, 418 E. Main Street, Richardson, TX This is the edited PowerPoint Presentation in the Spiritual Gifts series prepared by Bob Deffinbaugh for December 16, Anyone is at liberty to use this presentation for educational purposes only, with or without credit. The Chapel believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God’s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel.