1 Cor 14 is quite a biggie. It’s not especially long, but it has in it
some pretty big concepts. I’m sure this
passage has been the subject of many a discussion and maybe even a few falling
outs amongst our brothers and sisters.
But is it really all that controversial?
As you read through the chapter, try to read as though it’s your first
time and this is all new to you — don’t allow your preconceptions to colour how
you interpret the text, just read what is written.
If I were to give this chapter
an alternative title, it might be, “Worshipping Together — How Not To Use The
Right Things Wrongly,” or something equally as confusing as that. Spiritual gifts are pretty mind-blowing. Paul asserts his delight in them in v5, but
goes on to say in v6 that they are not always beneficial in isolation. And beneficial is what we want, so Christ’s
body can be built up, strengthening those inside and bringing people in from
outside.
There’s a lot in this chapter,
but for me it’s not just about which spiritual gift is better. Instead this passage reminds me of our primary
mission as a church — the unbeliever.
For an unbeliever confusion may make you feel excluded, which is what
Paul is getting at when he quotes from Isaiah in v21.
In church, and wherever the
unbeliever may be, we must seek to love them first, before indulging ourselves;
hence, Paul’s commendation of prophecy over tongues for this situation. As we work through how to do prophecy and
tongues correctly in a church setting, Paul notes in v40 why some order is needed. Our God isn’t the God of confusion. He is
peace. (v33) We must always have in mind
those who don’t yet know Jesus and be seeking to do everything we can to bring
them to know Him.
If vv34-35 are
troubling you, then I’m sure you are not alone.
The key is in the historical context of the statement for this specific
people and place. Sermons were being disrupted by the women who were
uneducated, interrupting things by talking to their husbands. People differ
over how this relates to our modern context. The answer lies in the last verse
– do everything in fitting and orderly way.
(lay member of staff)