How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. The New King James Version (1 Co 14:26–40).
Instructions on Tongues
In modern Christianity, speaking in tongues is a topic that sparks much debate. Pentecostal and Charismatic churches view it as a powerful expression of the Holy Spirit. Studies show that about one-third of American Pentecostals speak in tongues regularly, and nearly half of their services include this practice (Pew Research Center, Barna Group). In Canada, the largest Pentecostal denomination, the PAOC, continues to practice speaking in tongues. However, some leaders are moving away from the belief that it is necessary evidence of Spirit baptism (Canadian Encyclopedia, Andrew K. Gabriel).
In contrast, many Baptist and Reformed churches take a more cautious approach. They often refer to passages like 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, emphasizing the need for order in worship. These denominations typically allow speaking in tongues only if someone can interpret the message, following Paul’s instruction to avoid confusion. Some, particularly in Reformed traditions, hold a cessationist view, believing that the gift of tongues was meant for the early church and is no longer practiced today.
Other traditions, such as the Catholic Church, acknowledge speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift but don’t emphasize it as much as Pentecostal churches. Tongues are part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which began in the 20th century, but the Church teaches that such gifts should promote unity and peace. Church leaders are expected to guide their use to ensure they benefit the broader community.
Similarly, the Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit, but they are not a major focus in modern worship. Orthodox Christians emphasize the mystical and sacramental life—prayer, liturgy, and sacraments—over dramatic spiritual gifts. They believe that tongues were more common in the early church and that today’s focus should be on spiritual growth and inner transformation through the sacraments.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church also acknowledges tongues but focuses more on the sacraments and maintaining the ancient faith passed down from the apostles. For the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, speaking in tongues is one gift among many, but it is not central to worship. Instead, the focus is on personal holiness and community worship.
These views—Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox—show a more reserved approach to speaking in tongues than Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, where it is a central part of worship. This difference reflects broader disagreements about how spiritual gifts should be understood and practiced. Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians are often used as a reference point, but churches interpret them differently. In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul emphasizes that tongues should be spoken orderly and only if an interpreter exists. However, modern practices sometimes stray from these guidelines, leading to confusion or division within congregations.
In my view, the public use of tongues in the church today should follow the principles laid out by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14. Paul clarifies that all spiritual gifts, including tongues, are meant to build up and strengthen the church community. He emphasizes that speaking in tongues, without interpretation, does not serve the congregation effectively because it only benefits the individual speaker. For this reason, I believe using tongues in church today should be regulated to promote understanding and unity.
Paul's instructions are practical: if tongues are spoken publicly, there should be no more than two or three people doing so, and only one at a time. Additionally, an interpreter must be present to explain what is being said so that the entire congregation can understand and be edified by the message (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). Without interpretation, Paul advises that people speaking in tongues should do so quietly, speaking only to themselves and God.
This focus on order and clarity is essential. Public worship should never create confusion or division among the congregation but instead foster a sense of peace and understanding. Paul underscores this when he says, "God is not a God of confusion, but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33). Worship services are meant to be environments where all participants can grow spiritually. If tongues are spoken without interpretation, it can lead to distraction rather than edification.
Furthermore, Paul’s preference for prophecy over tongues in public worship shows his concern for the spiritual growth of the community. He encourages believers to pursue prophecy because it communicates a clear message that can benefit everyone present. In my opinion, this highlights the need for tongues to be used only when they add meaning and understanding to the service rather than serving as a spectacle
Instructions on Prophecy
In the Corinthian church, the gift of prophecy was causing disorder. Multiple people were speaking at the same time, which led to confusion instead of edification. Paul addressed this by urging that only two or three prophets speak at a time and that others in the congregation should judge what is said. His main concern was keeping worship services orderly so everyone could learn and be encouraged.
Today, prophecy in Charismatic and Pentecostal churches is still considered an active gift. People believe they receive direct messages from God, often through visions, words of knowledge, or personal guidance. However, this modern practice differs from the role of New Testament prophets, who usually gave foundational guidance to the church, such as Agabus in Acts 11:28.
A significant issue with modern prophecy is the potential for abuse. Some self-proclaimed prophets make predictions about major global events or personal futures, which may not come true. This can lead to spiritual harm and disillusionment. For example, bold prophetic claims often fail during significant events like elections, creating skepticism. Additionally, the rise of "celebrity prophets" has raised concerns about using prophecy for personal gain.
Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians are still relevant today. He emphasized that prophecy must be judged and shared in a way that builds up the church. This keeps prophetic ministry accountable and prevents chaos and false teachings.
Instructions for Women
In 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Paul instructs women to remain silent in church, which is often misunderstood as a blanket rule. However, it’s essential to recognize that Paul was addressing the specific situation in the Corinthian church. Corinth was a diverse city with many cultural influences, and some women might have been disrupting services with questions or discussions. This is likely why Paul advised them to ask their husbands at home if they had questions.
Other parts of the New Testament show that Paul didn’t always expect women to remain silent. In Romans 16, Paul praises several women who played key roles in the church, like Phoebe, a deacon, and Priscilla, who, along with her husband, helped teach Apollos. These examples suggest that Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 were meant to address a specific issue rather than prohibit women from speaking in church altogether.
In 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Paul also discusses women’s roles in teaching, advising them to learn quietly and not take authority over men. However, this letter was written to a church in Ephesus, a city dealing with false teachings. Paul’s instructions were likely meant to protect the church from false doctrine, not to create a universal rule for all churches.
In both 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy, Paul’s primary concern is maintaining order in worship and ensuring the church's growth. The fact that women like Phoebe and Priscilla were praised for their ministry roles shows that Paul did not believe in silencing women but instead responded to specific issues in these congregations.
By understanding the context in which Paul was writing, we can reconcile these passages with the broader New Testament message that women are essential participants in the church’s mission and ministry.
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