The worship of the Corinthian church

Next, Paul gives instructions concerning the maintenance of order in the church gathering: “What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification” (v 26). From this verse, we catch a glimpse of the order of worship in the Corinthian church at that time. (1) Psalms were sung, (2) teaching was given, (3) prophecy was spoken, and (4) finally, tongues and their interpretation were presented. Wherever believers gather for worship, all of these things must be done for the edification of the whole body.

Tongues and prophecy

To maintain order, Paul gives the following specific instructions: (1) The exercise of the gift of tongues was to be limited in number. Only two or at most three were to speak, and they were to do so one at a time. One person was then to interpret what was said. (2) If there was no one to interpret, the speaker was to remain silent. The interpretation of tongues is also one of the spiritual gifts (ref. 1 Cor. 12:10). If there was no interpreter present, the person was to speak to God privately, at home (by himself). (3) A limit was also placed on the number of those who prophesied. Here as well, two or three were to speak, while the others were to carefully evaluate what was being said. (4) If a revelation was given to another person who was seated, the one who was already prophesying was to stop and yield the opportunity to speak. In this way, everyone could learn from one another. For the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. No matter which spiritual gift is being exercised, we must remember that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” Bringing disorder into the gathering grieves God. Spiritual gifts are not to be exercised for self-promotion, but to build up the entire church and to display the glory of God.