Catholic Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14

"In the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:19)

Prophecy and Tongues

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. Paul does not disparage tongues; he speaks in tongues more than all the Corinthians. But in the assembly, five intelligible words that instruct are worth more than ten thousand in a tongue that no one understands. The governing principle of liturgical worship is the building up of the community: everything should be done for edification. The Catechism applies this principle to the entire liturgy: the purpose of every act of worship is the glorification of God and the sanctification of the faithful, and every element of the liturgy is to be evaluated by how well it serves those two ends (CCC 1070).

Order in the Assembly

Paul gives detailed instructions for orderly worship. If someone speaks in a tongue, there should be at most two or three, each in turn, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should be silent. Prophets should speak, two or three, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. Everything should be done decently and in order. The God revealed in 1 Corinthians is the God of ordered creation, of covenant, of Law, of liturgy: a God whose worship reflects his character. Enthusiastic spontaneity that produces confusion is not a sign of the Spirit but of disorder, which is not of God.

Paul closes the chapter with a strong affirmation of the written apostolic word as the ultimate criterion: what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. The Scripture, as the written deposit of apostolic teaching, stands as the norm by which every spiritual experience and every liturgical practice is to be measured. The Catechism grounds the authority of Scripture in its divine origin through the apostolic tradition (CCC 81).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, everything should be done decently and in order. This principle applies not only to the liturgy but to everything in the community life of the Church. Our parishes, our meetings, our communications, our conflicts: all are subject to the God who is not a God of disorder but of peace. Ask before every act in the community: does this build up? If not, let it be silent.

Prayer

Lord God, you are not a God of disorder but of peace. Order our worship, our community life, and our personal lives according to your character. Let everything we do together be for the building up of the body, to your glory and the sanctification of all who gather in your name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

14
Prophecy and Tongues
1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
 
5 I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
 
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct? 8 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
 
10 Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner * 14:11 Literally a barbarian; twice in this verse to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
 
12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
 
15 What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit,† 14:16 Or in the Spirit how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
 
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
 
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 It is written in the Law:
 
“By strange tongues and foreign lips
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to Me,
says the Lord.”‡ 14:21 Isaiah 28:11–12
 
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
 
23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, 25 and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
Orderly Worship
 
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
 
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
 
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.§ 14:33 Or of peace. As in all the churches of the saints: Thus, some translators begin the new paragraph after peace.
 
34 Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.* 14:35 Some manuscripts place verses 34–35 after verse 40.
 
36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.† 14:38 BYZ and TR let him be ignorant
 
39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

*14:11 14:11 Literally a barbarian; twice in this verse

†14:16 14:16 Or in the Spirit

‡14:21 14:21 Isaiah 28:11–12

§14:33 14:33 Or of peace. As in all the churches of the saints: Thus, some translators begin the new paragraph after peace.

*14:35 14:35 Some manuscripts place verses 34–35 after verse 40.

†14:38 14:38 BYZ and TR let him be ignorant

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