The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians remains foundational for Christian doctrine and church practice. In the fourteenth chapter, Paul addresses the topic of spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of speaking in tongues. His words in this chapter offer a profound insight into the proper use and regulation of spiritual gifts within the church community. One of Paul’s crucial warnings to the church was not to forbid speaking in tongues but to ensure proper use and interpretation.

The Context of 1 Corinthians 14:36–39

In 1 Corinthians 14:36–39, Paul writes:

“Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

This passage reminds us not to despise spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues but to ensure that everything is done appropriately and orderly in the church. If there is interpretation, using tongues should benefit the entire congregation.

The Importance of Interpretation

In his teachings, Paul warned believers against speaking in tongues without interpretation in the church.

His message is clear: if someone speaks in tongues, there must be someone present who can interpret the message so that the whole congregation can benefit from the message and be spiritually uplifted. 

Strengthening the church involves interpreting God’s messages accurately to avoid any loss of message essence. Without proper interpretation, the gift of tongues can lead to confusion instead of maintaining the church, thereby disturbing the harmony and objectives of the church gathering.

Interpreting tongues validates the message and ensures the congregation can understand and benefit from it. It allows the gift of tongues to fulfill its intended purpose of building up the body of Christ, rather than causing division or misunderstanding.

The Modern Church and Speaking in Tongues

Despite Paul’s explicit instructions, the modern church has diverged from this biblical principle. Today, numerous churches allow the use of tongues without the necessity of interpretation, resulting in potential confusion and misinterpretation of spiritual messages.

This departure from Paul’s guidelines can hinder the church’s growth and spiritual maturity, undermining the importance of order, reverence, and communal improvement.

Pastors and attendees may feel compelled to speak in tongues as a sign of spiritual hunger or connection to the Holy Spirit. While speaking in tongues can be a genuine expression of faith, it must be exercised responsibly and according to biblical teaching. The absence of interpretation can create an environment where spiritual experiences become individualized rather than shared and understood by the community.

Returning to the Fundamentals of the Early Church

To address this deviation from Paul’s instructions, the church must return to the fundamentals of the early church, which prioritized obedience to the Lord’s commands and sought to maintain order and unity in all spiritual practices. The early Christians understood the importance of adhering to biblical principles, which contributed to the growth and expansion of the early church.

By recommitting to Paul’s guidelines on speaking in tongues, the modern church can reclaim its identity as a community that values order, reverence, and mutual edification. One of the critical roles of pastors is to promote unity within their congregation. To achieve this, pastors should provide clear teachings and guidelines that help congregants correctly understand how to use their spiritual gifts. By doing so, pastors can prevent confusion and division that may arise from the misuse of spiritual gifts.

Therefore, pastors should encourage their congregations to discover their spiritual gifts and guide them in using them by the teachings of the Bible. Clear communication and effective teaching will help congregants understand how to use their gifts to contribute positively to the community. 

In addition, pastors should be mindful of each congregant’s needs and abilities and encourage them to use their gifts in a way that complements the gifts of others. This way, everyone can work together in harmony towards the common goal of building up the church and spreading the message of God’s love.

Conclusion

The church today must exercise the gift of tongues with care, reverence, and adherence to biblical principles while not forbidding it. The practice of speaking in tongues without interpretation undermines the communal nature of the church and can hinder its spiritual growth and maturity.

As the church strives to spread the gospel and build up the body of Christ, it must prioritize obedience to the Lord’s commands and maintain order in all spiritual practices. By doing so, the church can experience the unity, growth, and expansion that characterized the early church, leading to a more vibrant and spiritually healthy community.