What does 1 Corinthians 14:28 mean?

Explanation

1 Corinthians 14:28 is addressing the issue of speaking in tongues within the context of a church gathering. Speaking in tongues, according to the Bible, is a spiritual gift that allows a person to speak in a language they have not learned, often considered to be a heavenly or angelic language.

However, the Apostle Paul, the author of this letter to the Corinthians, insists on order within the church service.

In this verse, Paul advises that if someone speaks in tongues and there is no one present who can interpret this language, the speaker should remain silent in the church.

They are encouraged to speak to themselves and to God, implying that their communication in tongues is still valuable but should not be publicly vocalized if it does not edify the church body due to the lack of understanding.

This implies a deeper meaning of respecting the communal nature of worship and ensuring that the practices within a service are beneficial for all.

Historical Context

The church in Corinth was a young Christian community in the first century with members from diverse backgrounds, including Jewish and Gentile converts.

Corinth was a major Greek city, known for its cosmopolitan and pluralistic society, which also meant that the church was dealing with various cultural practices and spiritual gifts.

Speaking in tongues was one of these gifts but could lead to disorder if not managed properly.

Paul's letters to the Corinthians address various issues within the church, with a recurring theme of promoting unity and order.

During this period, orderly worship was essential for the edification of the church, and spiritual gifts were meant to contribute to this, not create chaos.

Theological Insights

The interpretation of spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues varies among different Christian denominations.

Some view speaking in tongues as a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and a practice that continues today (Pentecostal and Charismatic movements), while others believe this gift ceased with the apostolic age (Cessationism).

The verse offers valuable theological insight into the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts, while they are seen as beneficial, their use is not for self-display but for building up the church.

Paul's directive implies that a spiritually gifted individual should exercise self-control and consideration for the congregation's edification.

Practical Applications

In a contemporary setting, the teachings of this verse can be applied beyond the specific issue of speaking in tongues.

It emphasizes the importance of discernment and sensitivity to the community's needs within any group or organizational setting.

Individuals with particular skills or insights should utilize them thoughtfully, ensuring that their actions contribute constructively and do not distract or undermine the group’s purpose.

The verse reminds individuals in diverse communities to practice restraint when necessary to maintain harmony and understanding.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 14:19 - "Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 - "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."
• Romans 14:19 - "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of 1 Corinthians 14:28 include:

• "Interpreter" (ἑρμηνευτής, hermeneutēs): one who translates spoken or written statements into the vernacular language of the listeners.
• "Keep silence" (σιγάτω, sigatō): to be silent, hold one’s peace.
• "Speak" (λαλείτω, laleitō): to talk or say words, often with the connotation of speaking out loud.
• "Himself" (ἑαυτῷ, heautō): a reflexive pronoun emphasizing the individual.
• "To God" (τῷ Θεῷ, tōi Theō): directed towards God, implying a personal communication or prayer.

These words emphasize the individuality of speaking to oneself and God when there is no interpreter to make the message understandable to the wider congregation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient religions outside of Christianity, practices like ecstatic speech were also common, found in the rituals of the Greek Dionysian cults, among others.

The Christian practice of speaking in tongues differs significantly in purpose and method, aiming for the edification of the church rather than personal ecstasy.

It also contrasts with the Jewish tradition, where prophecy and interpretation were crucial to understanding God’s will, yet there is no clear parallel to speaking in unknown tongues in the Jewish texts.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, speaking in tongues (glossolalia) is a phenomenon that can be studied from psychological, neurological, and anthropological perspectives.

Researchers have analyzed brain activity during episodes of speaking in tongues, finding alterations in the frontal lobes' activity signifying a trance-like state.

There is a natural curiosity about whether this phenomenon is a learned behavior or spontaneously generated by the brain.

However, such studies don't necessarily speak to the spiritual validity as described in Christian theology.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries offer insights on 1 Corinthians 14:28.

For instance, Adam Clarke's Commentary emphasizes that speaking in tongues without edifying the church is contrary to the order and discipline expected in Christian assemblies.

Matthew Henry's Commentary implies the need for everything to be done to edification and with understanding.

The Pulpit Commentary focuses on the importance of maintaining order and decency in worship services.

These commentaries generally agree that Paul's directive aims to ensure that the exercise of spiritual gifts is done in a way that benefits the entire church community.