The Sacred Diary by Adrian Plass is a funny look at life in the local church. Life is like that sometimes. Your mind is somewhere else, someone annoys you, etc. The Church at Corinth had its problems in their church meetings. There was disorder. Paul gives instructions on how to do church with proper order. The Spirit of God is to bring love, gifts and order. There are three things to govern every meeting of the Church.

1. Edification (vs. 1-5)

Paul lets them know from the start that he had sent the letter.

• Prophecy speaks to people. Tongues, speak to God (vs. 1-3).
• Prophecy edifies the Church, tongues the speaker.
• Effect of prophecy. It is so much more important than tongues as it helps others. Prophecy speaks to men and tongues to God. Tongues were being used in a selfish manner without interpretation.

2. Understanding (vs. 6-25)

It would be great if all would speak in tongues but this allows over indulgence. There are three limitations on its use.

• Limitations in intelligibility. A tongue that is not interpreted sounds barbaric. A symphony or battle cry is known but this is uncertain. There is a need for interpretation from someone else or the speaker.
• Limitations in personal wholeness – Those who speak in tongues are being drawn into a different level of communication with God. In Corinth it was let everyone who has tongues speak together without any order or interpretation. Gifts are not toys. Maturity is important and this requires us to use or spirit and mind. Corinth was behaving like spiritual babies. It is more than just an intellectual exercise.
• Impact on outsiders – Those seeking the Lord or unbelievers will think the Church is mad rather than that God is in that place. It is an act of witness. Other religions at that time had disorder and confusion. The Church is to be different.

3. Order (vs. 26-36)

There is to be a balance between order and freedom. It must not be chaotic. We are to go to Church and bring something with you. We do this in our attitude, prayer or word from God.

• Control of those with gift of tongues (vs. 27-28). There are to be two or three. There is to be an interpretation. If this doesn’t come then we are not to freak out. We are not to be shy with the gift we have. We should have control.
• Control of those with gift of prophecy (vs. 29-33). Take your time. Don’t all speak at once. The church is to weigh things said. It is right to question. God is not a God of confusion.
• Control of married women in congregation (vs. 34-36). These verses do not preclude all women from speaking in church. The women were not to talk too much in church. They had more freedom but it needed order.

4. Conclusion (vs. 37-40)

Paul speaks with apostolic authority. He is not saying “don’t do it”. He wants it done in order.

Categories: 1 Corinthians