On Prophecy, Tongues, and Public Worship (1)

I wrote a few social-media posts a number of days ago on the subject of speaking in tongues, but because of the limitations of the format, and because I was not particularly inclined on that day toward a lengthy biblical exposition, I could not fully articulate my position. I did, however, promise my readers a follow-up, and this article is an attempt to fulfil that promise in a more considered and measured way.

The primary anchor for this piece is 1 Corinthians 14, which provides the clearest and most sustained apostolic instruction on the administration of the gifts of tongues and prophecy within the gathered church. It would certainly be possible, and perhaps even preferable, to trace Paul’s argument from chapter 12 of this epistle, where the diversity, distribution, and purpose of spiritual gifts are first introduced, but for the purposes of this article we can begin with chapter 14 itself. I will return to the earlier chapters in due course as part of my wider reflections on Paul’s epistles under the 39 Stripes category of this blog site; at the time of writing, I have only just completed 1 Corinthians 3. Please watch out for more posts.

Let's get into it.

Paul does not approach the subject of spiritual gifts in isolation. His teaching in chapter 14 is deliberately framed by the argument he makes rather decisively in 1 Corinthians 13; that love is not merely one virtue among many, but the governing principle by which all spiritual activity is to be judged.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1)

He repeats this same sentiment in the first clause in verse 1 of chapter 14: “pursue love”.

The way the apostle frames this is intentional and deeply instructive, perhaps even more so today than ever. I find that discussions about spiritual gifts have a peculiar way of eroding brotherly love with surprising speed. What often begins as theological disagreement can easily give way to boasting, rivalry, or subtle forms of spiritual superiority, yet Paul insists that even the most exalted spiritual experiences amount to nothing when they are divorced from love.

Christians may differ, sometimes sharply, on secondary matters such as the operation of spiritual gifts, and they may hold their convictions sincerely and with strength, but we must never allow those convictions to displace patience, understanding, charity, humility, and kindness. Love governs not only what we believe, but the manner in which we hold and express our beliefs. Let us be charitable to one another, for this is the greatest virtue.

At the same time, Paul is very clear that spiritual gifts are to be sought.

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts." (1 Corinthians 14:1)

There is nothing improper or misguided about seeking spiritual gifts. On the contrary, we should enthusiastically and passionately seek them, so that we can be more useful in the service of God. We are not talking about an obsessive pursuit as was the case for the Corinthian church. The problem in Corinth was not the desire itself, but that such desire was undisciplined, self-referential, and insufficiently concerned with the good of others. Godly desire is shaped by humility, submission to God’s will, and a sincere love and longing to serve the people of God rather than to draw attention to oneself.

It is within this framework that Paul stresses the importance of prophecy. It quickly becomes apparent in 1 Corinthians 14 that the Corinthian church had come to emphasise tongues, particularly in the public assembly, while giving comparatively little attention to prophecy. You can say they were "majoring on the minor and minoring on the major". Paul the apostle does not deny the legitimacy or value of tongues, but he does challenge their ordering of priorities, and he redirects their desire toward that which most clearly strengthens the gathered church.

The difference between tongues and prophecy

The direction of the gift

Paul’s first distinction concerns the direction toward which the gift is exercised.

“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)

Central to Paul’s entire argument, is the fact that speaking in tongues is not directed toward the congregation but toward God, and if this point is missed, the logic of the chapter quickly becomes confused. Tongues are not intended as speech for human audiences, nor are they designed to function as proclamations addressed to the church. In other words, tongues are "man-to-God" communication.

This understanding is entirely consistent with what we saw in the upper room incident of Acts 2. On the day of Pentecost, we see that the gathered crowd testified,

“We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Acts 2:11)

Likewise, in the house of Cornelius,

“They were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” (Acts 10:46)

In each case, tongues function as prayer, praise, and God-directed utterance. This is what we are doing when we speak in tongues.

Prophecy, by contrast, is God-inspired speech addressed toward people, aka "God-to-man" communication, for their edification, comfort, for exhortation, for instruction.

“The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.” (1 Corinthians 14:3)

This is a fundamental distinction between both gifts! They have different orientation, and this also explains why the interpretation of tongues cannot be equated with prophecy. Interpretation must preserve the original direction of the utterance; if a tongue is interpreted, the interpretation must still be addressed toward God as prayer, praise, or thanksgiving. A person claiming to interpret a tongue whose message is "God-to-man",  has already misunderstood something essential about the nature of the gift, as presented in the Scriptures.

Anyone speaking in tongues, is speaking to God. The "design" of the gift is such that no one understands. It is absolutely fine if no one understands, because God does!

Tongues are mysterious by design. Even when interpreted, the tongue itself remains unknown, because what is made intelligible is not the language, but the substance of what was offered to God.

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” (1 Corinthians 14:14)

Prophecy operates differently. God speaks supernaturally through ordinary human language so that His people may understand, and the effect is consistently constructive. Prophecy has a positive bias: its aim is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort rather than to unsettle or diminish those who hear it.

The scope of edification

Paul’s second distinction concerns the "scope" of edification.

“The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:4)

It is important to stress here that this is not presented as a criticism of tongues, because self-edification is not inherently wrong. Tongues strengthen the inner life of the believer, deepen communion with God, and enlarge one’s capacity for prayer and worship beyond the limitations of the intellect.

Paul himself valued this gift deeply.

“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)

Any interpretation of this chapter that portrays Paul as dismissive of tongues fails to do justice to his own testimony. Paul was VERY positive about the gift of tongues, contrary to how some perceive this chapter. Frustratingly, many of us who write about balance and orderliness in the use of the gift of tongues are equally labelled as unspiritual or quenching the zeal of the spirit. The opposite is quite the case. I am excited about the gift of tongues, as was Paul, and why should we not be? It is a wonderful gift that God gives to His children to commune with Him. It allows us to pray, to praise, to intercede, to commune with God, beyond the limitations of the human intellect. There are times we run out of words, but we press on into God's divine strength through the groanings of our spirit.

Paul knew the value of speaking in tongues. He wished that all believers could experience the blessing of praying in this way.

“Now I want you all to speak in tongues…” (1 Corinthians 14:5)

Yet Paul consistently situates spiritual gifts within their primary purpose, which is the good of others.

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

Tongues edify the individual; prophecy edifies the body. When the church gathers, that distinction becomes decisive, because speech that can be understood by all strengthens all. If a word is spoken in church that everyone understands, it adds tremendous value to the church body.

This is why Paul continues,

“…but even more to prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:5)

He does not say this because prophecy is more spiritual in essence, but because it is more beneficial in the public assembly.

On public worship

The governing concern of 1 Corinthians 14 is not the suppression of spiritual expression, but the ordering of it according to love. When believers gather as the church, private devotional practices must give way to the shared good of the assembly. For the church as a whole, Paul makes the case that more people having the prophetic gift would be more beneficial than more people with the ability to speak in tongues. If the church has a chance to receive edification, we all should desire more abundantly the ability to contribute to that, rather than focus only on self-edification. 

What is common in many settings today is that the church is only a collection of several people conducting their own personal agenda.

There are many things that are appropriate in private and inappropriate in public, not because they are sinful, but because they are misplaced. For example, intimacy among married couples belongs in the home rather than in the public square. In much the same way, tongues belong primarily to private devotion.

Paul asks plainly,

“If I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?” (1 Corinthians 14:6)

The question is not whether tongues are legitimate, but whether they are profitable in that setting. This is why Paul exhorts those who speak in tongues to pray for interpretation.

“Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:13)

Why should they pray for interpretation? So they can edify the church! You may ask, if tongues are addressed to God, how would someone else be edified by their interpretation? Well, we are edified just in the same way the reading of Psalms are edifying - we see overhear another believer addressing God and we ourselves are drawn into deeper reverence, prayer, trust in God, faith.

The aim for spiritual gifting is always, always the edification of the church.  To desire spiritual gifts is good. To desire the good of the church is better. To hold both together with wisdom is the mark of maturity.

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)

(To be continued.)