"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (v.1)
In our text today, Paul is reminding the people of Corinth about the purpose of spiritual gifts, and how they are to function in a public worship assembly (specifically the gift of tongues and prophesy). He does not fault them for the gifts nor the desire to have them, he simply instructs them as to when and when not to use their gifts, especially tongues.
An important instruction to note, "He who speaks in tongues speaks to God, not to man" (v.2). While he who prophesies, "speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men" (v.3) and "edifies the church" (v.4). Paul reminds the believers that spiritual gifts are given for the common good, and when the community gathers, priority should be given to the gift of prophecy for it convicts the heart (v. 24). Paul goes on to say while there’s freedom in the gatherings, nevertheless, there are restrictions put in place. These restrictions, such as forbidding more than one person from talking at a time or requiring interpretation for a person speaking in tongues, do not restrain the Spirit but, promotes order (vv. 26-40).
Though Paul would carefully regulate, and even discourage the use of tongues in the church, he would not forbid it. At the same time, he would greatly encourage its use in one’s personal devotions. If one were to ask Paul, “Which is greater for one’s devotional life: the gift of tongues or the gift of prophesy?” He would no doubt say “the gift of tongues,” because who do you prophesy to when you are alone with the Lord in your prayer closet?
Therefore, the exercise of spiritual gifts should always be done for edification (v.26), properly, and in an orderly manner (v.40). God is a God of order and peace, and He wants order when the church comes together. When the gifts of the Spirit are given an unscriptural focus, it discredits the true work of the Holy Spirit, and often leads people to deny the gifts because they see unbiblical excess.
A good rule of thumb when exersising ones gift is to ask yourself, "Who is this edifying?"
The Truth: "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:9)
