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§38 The Practice of Prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1–5)

The discussion returns to the direct consideration of spiritual gifts that was the explicit focus of Paul’s remarks up to 12:31a. One should notice at the outset that Paul’s general concern is with orderly worship, but there are bends and turns to the argumentation that are hard to follow and highly debated. Moreover, as later readers turn to this passage they sometimes forget the concrete historical circumstances that lie behind Paul’s remarks, but to do so is a disaster. Paul faced a complex, problem-laden congregation that had disruptive behavior of nearly unimaginable proportions at work in it. The severity of the situation brings Paul to argue with a vigor that can seem overbearing from afar, although one should recognize that Paul apparently thought such elaborate and forceful discussion was needed at the time. Indeed, students of the Corinthian church’s history can develop a deep sympathy for Paul’s difficult situation when they read 1 Clement, a letter from a later church leader in Rome, written in the last decade of the first century A.D., some forty years after Paul’s own letter. This later letter shows that many of the problems Paul faced in Corinth in the 50s still existed in the 90s. Knowing the severity of the problems Paul faced makes it easier to understand his energy, tone, and even aggravation with the Corinthians.

At the outset (vv. 1–5) Paul compares and contrasts only two of the gifts: tongues and prophecy. His discussion makes clear that so-called tongues are unintelligible assertions (glossolalia), not foreign languages. Paul’s concern is not so much with the content of tongue speech and prophecy as with the mode and orientation of these utterances. Paul declares the superior merit of an utterance that is oriented away from one’s self over speech—even if it is spectacular spiritual speech—that merely serves one’s self.

14:1 / In 14:1a Paul opens this segment of the letter as he ended a previous section at 12:31a—with an admonition, Follow the way of love! Then, as Paul launches into his discussion of the disorderly circumstances that apparently characterized the Corinthian church at worship, he urges the readers to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, but he makes his own preference clear by adding especially (lit. “rather”; Gk. mallon) the gift of prophecy. “Prefer prophecy” becomes Paul’s thesis for all that will follow in chapter 14; he even repeats this admonition in 14:39, “Be eager to prophesy.” These twin declarations in 14:1 and 14:39 form a literary inclusio, which emphasizes the material it surrounds. From this insight one gains a solid footing for attempting to follow Paul’s thought as he winds his way through the rest of this discussion.

14:2 / Verses 2–5 develop the thesis that was stated in verse 1. Having declared his own strong preference for prophecy over tongues, Paul offers a reflection on these two gifts that informs the readers that anyone who speaks in a tongue does not address people but God, and no human understands because the speaker utters mysteries with his spirit (lit. “but in spirit speaks mysteries”). According to Paul’s teaching, there is a clear point and a clear audience for tongues, but other humans are not the intended recipients of the message and so they do not comprehend the substance of the speech in tongues or benefit from it.

14:3 / Paul pursues the same objective from another point of view. By contrast to the tongue speakers, those who prophesy speak to humans for the edification, encouragement, and consolation of their hearers. As one can see from nearly everything that Paul writes in this letter, the building up of the church and the well-being of the whole body of Christ are his principal concerns. In fact, Paul borders on saying that the value of any gift or action is the same as its value for edification of the church.

14:4 / Paul analyzes the meaning of the contrast he has painted between prophecy and tongues. He tells the Corinthians that tongues edify the one speaking and prophecy edifies the whole church. In verses 5, 12, 17, 26, Paul will return explicitly to the importance of practicing spiritual gifts for the good of the church.

14:5 / Paul’s prejudice is clear, but it could be misunderstood. Therefore, he states that he wants all to speak in tongues, but even more he desires that all prophesy. Both gifts have true value, but as Paul will explain, there are fewer potential complications with prophecy than with tongues; so prophecy is preferable.

One might think at this juncture that Paul has made himself clear, but he is not finished. He will now undertake a series of arguments that illustrate and support his contention. Moreover, he will do so in two segments of discussion: verses 6–12 and verses 13–19.