Cultural Norms and Traditions in Cross-Cultural Preaching
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12-14, addresses the use and abuse of spiritual gifts within the early Christian community, particularly emphasizing the superiority of prophecy over speaking in tongues for the edification of the church [1, 2, 7]. While Paul encourages believers to "desire earnestly spiritual gifts," he prioritizes those gifts that contribute most directly to the building up of the congregation [4, 5].
Paul's discussion in 1 Corinthians 14 provides specific rules for the exercise of gifts in public worship. one tradition states that prophecy, defined as speaking and exhorting under inspiration, is preferable to speaking in tongues because it directly benefits the listeners [1, 2]. A prophet "speaketh unto men to edification; and exhortation; and comfort" [8]. This includes explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially prophetic texts, or illustrating and setting forth doctrine [2, 3]. In contrast, someone speaking in tongues without an interpreter speaks only to God and not to others, thus failing to edify the church [1].
The apostle provides practical guidelines for maintaining order and clarity in worship. If someone speaks in a tongue, there should be an interpreter so that the message can be understood by all [1]. Without interpretation, the speaker should remain silent in the church and speak only to themselves and to God [1]. Similarly, when it comes to prophecy, Paul instructs that "two or three" prophets may speak at one gathering, and others should weigh what is said [6]. This suggests a regulated, orderly process for the exercise of spiritual gifts, preventing confusion and ensuring that all things are done "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40).
The emphasis on edification underscores a core principle: spiritual gifts are given for the common good of the church, not for individual display or personal gratification [5]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary notes that Paul's discussion of gifts is framed by the overarching principle of charity or love, which is superior to all gifts [7]. This love ensures that the exercise of gifts serves the purpose of building up the body of Christ, rather than causing division or disorder [5].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): We should earnestly desire spiritual gifts; but prophesying is to be preferred, because it is superior to the gift of tongues, Co1 14:1, Co1 14:2. Prophesying defined, Co1 14:3. How to regulate this supernatural gift of tongues, in teaching for the edification of the Church, Co1 14:4-13. In praying and giving thanks, Co1 14:14-17. Those who speak with tongues should interpret that others may be edified, Co1 14:18-22 What benefit may accrue from this in the public assemblies, Co1 14:23-28. How the prophets or teachers should act in the Church, Co1”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): SUPERIORITY OF PROPHECY OVER TONGUES. (1Co. 14:1-25) Follow after charity--as your first and chief aim, seeing that it is "the greatest" (Co1 13:13). and desire--Translate, "Yet (as a secondary aim) desire zealously (see on Co1 12:31) spiritual gifts." but rather--"but chiefly that ye may prophesy" (speak and exhort under inspiration) (Pro 29:18; Act 13:1; Th1 5:20), whether as to future events, that is, strict prophecy, or explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially the prophetical Scriptures or illustrating and setting ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:26: RULES FOR THE EXERCISE OF GIFTS IN THE CONGREGATION. (Co1 14:26-40) How is it then?--rather, "What then is the true rule to be observed as to the use of gifts?" Compare Co1 14:15, where the same Greek occurs. a psalm--extemporary, inspired by the Spirit, as that of Mary, Zechariah, Simeon, and Anna (Luk 1:46-55, Luk 1:67-79; Luk 2:34-38). a doctrine--to impart and set forth to the congregation. a tongue . . . a revelation--The oldest manuscripts transpose the order: "revelation . . . tongue"; "interpretation" properly following "tongue" ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:31: But covet earnestly the best gifts,.... Which may be rendered either indicatively as an assertion, "ye do covet earnestly the best gifts": of prophesying and teaching, of doing miracles, healing diseases, speaking with, and interpreting, different tongues and languages; but I can, and do show you something that is better, and more excellent than these: or, by way of interrogation, "do ye covet earnestly the best gifts?" do you zealously affect them, fervently desire them, and emulate one another in your endeavours after them? I have something to observe to you”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12 (introduction): THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ESPECIALLY PROPHESYING AND TONGUES. (1Co. 12:1-31) spiritual gifts--the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church, which is Christ's body, the complement of His incarnation, as the body is the complement of the head. By the love which pervades the whole, the gifts of the several members, forming reciprocal complements to each other, tend to the one object of perfecting the body of Christ. The ordinary and permanent gifts are comprehended together with the extraordin”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:28: Let the prophets speak, two or three,.... The apostle having finished the rules for streaking with an unknown tongue, proceeds to lay down some for the gift of prophesying; and observes, that where there are a number of prophets, as very likely there were in the church at Corinth, two or three of them might prophesy, or explain the prophecies of the Old Testament, or preach the Gospel at one opportunity or meeting: he does not use that restrictive clause, "at most", as before, because if there was any necessity or occasion for it, more might be employed, so th”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 13 (introduction): CHARITY OR LOVE SUPERIOR TO ALL GIFTS. (Co1 13:1-13) tongues--from these he ascends to "prophecy" (Co1 13:2); then, to "faith"; then to benevolent and self-sacrificing deeds: a climax. He does not except even himself, and so passes from addressing them ("unto you," Co1 12:31) to putting the case in his own person, "Though I," &c. speak with the tongues--with the eloquence which was so much admired at Corinth (for example, Apollos, Act 18:24; compare Co1 1:12; Co1 3:21-22), and with the command of various languages, which some at ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 14:3: But he that prophesieth,.... Preaches, prays, or sings, in a language understood by the common people: speaketh unto men to edification; to the building of them up in Christ, and on their most holy faith, so that they grow up as an holy temple to the Lord: and exhortation; to the more vigorous exercise of grace, and the more cheerful and fervent discharge of duty: and comfort; of distressed minds, either through the temptations of Satan, or divine desertions, or inward corruptions, or outward afflictions; for all which ends and purposes the Scriptures are w”