1 Corinthians 14:21-40

 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

Of all the churches we see described in the letters of Paul, the church at Corinth was the one with the most issues. We sometimes think that the letters were  written to the churches as a description of developing an ideal situation. In this case that may not be the best description or understanding. Looking at Paul’s treatment of the chaos in this church he may not have been hoping to bring them to an ideal state so much as move them away from a total train wreck toward being  a small messy dumpster fire.

The passage Paul quotes in verse 21 is from Isaiah and is descriptive of how Israel, not listening to the prophet's warnings, would be compelled to hear the tongues or languages of the Assyrians. This was a dire warning to Israel, and Paul seems to use it to set a gloomy or dark atmosphere for the conversation about tongues and prophecy. Paul warns that even if everyone were able to speak in tongues, and they did so at the same time, it would not appear like ministry but more like lunacy. Christians sometimes say, “I don’t care what people think.” That is not the perspective Paul advocates here. Paul wants unbelievers to develop a certain thinking about the church. Specifically that the Lord is in the midst of the church.

Paul insists that Christians practice self-control in the church, specifically over the use of their gifts. The worship of the Corinthian church was apparently somewhat freeform, and in that context, it appears that anyone who wanted to be the main speaker or at least a speaker could push themselves forward. The result of such worship would be chaos. That would not express or be consistent with God‘s character, God being a God of peace. We also need to understand that within paganism there were gods of disorder. Disorder in the church could be misleading to pagan observers. Who is to speak, when, and where they are to speak are matters over which the disciple has control, and that control is to be exercised for the greater good of the church. The message of Jesus “die to yourself” is here subtly repeated. 

But Paul includes a note of liberty. Paul commands the pursuit of prophecy but does not forbid speaking in tongues. There is a principle we can draw from all of this. Within our own personal lives there is freedom in how we respond and how we worship God. We ought to enjoy that liberty. But we do not impose on others our limits or restraints in their personal discipleship. However, in the gathering of the church, self-restraint for the benefit of others is critical.

“Lord, help me to practice self control in every way for the benefit of my brothers and sisters. AMEN”