The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 460

Vers. 23-32.-llow a: spectator would regard the tongues; the gracious ejfeots of prophesyiug ; interpretation or silence, Suppose that the whole Church were to assemble in one place (argues the apostle), and all "speak with tongues;" the unchecked energy pouring itself forth in many and discordant volumes, each speaker borne away 0n the mighty tide of his own transport; no one considerate of another; the ear scarcely cognizant of the sound issuing from the lips, the eye insensible to the impression made on a beholder ;-suppose such a state of things occurring in the Corin- thian Church, and, amid the disorder and commotion, the "unlearned" (those unac- quainted with the meaning of the exhibition) or the "unbelievers" (such as were not conYerted to Christianity) were to make their appearance and look upon the scene; would they not think them "mad"? Instantly he reverses the supposition. 'l'he work of teaching is in progress, and the Church is receiving the doctrines, duties, conso- lations, of the gospel iu appropriate methods of instruction. A person, who is unlearned or unbelievi □ g, enters the assembly. He hears, is able to understand, is" convinced of all" and "judged of all." 'l'he word reaches his inmost consciousness, and he is revealed to himself. Perception, reflection, self-scrutiny, judgment, conscience, are aroused by the Holy Spirit, and for the first time, perchance, he listens to the voice of his own instincts in the articulations of others. It is usually through some mediating soul that God makes us known to ourselves. In our darkness the lig,ht is reflected as that of the moon on the night, and the sunrise and the day follow afterwards. And, i □ this case, the unlearned or unbeliever has the "secrets of his heart made manifest.'' The throne of judgment is set within ; the hour is calm and meditative; the man is brought to the bar; and the ministering servants of the eternal Judge are here with their testimcny. Most of all, the Divine Agent is here, of whom Jesus Christ said, "He shall testify of me.'' Step by step the trial advances. Memory speaks from the past, fear speaks of the future. The sense of guilt is awakened," and so falling down on his face," overpowered by his convictions, "he will worship God, and report that God is in yon of a truth." How is this? In the one case, there ie an impression of madmen; in the other, God is felt to be with these men. In the former, religion was an unintel- Jirrible thiocr; in the latter, it was comprehensible. Recall the power of the "five w~rds" spoken to the understanding, versus the" ten thousand" uttered in rhapsody, and the secret is explained. \Vhat, then, is the practical inference? "If, when you are met together, one is prepared to sing a hymn of praise, another t? exercise his gift of teaching, another his gift of tongues, another to deliver a revelation, another an inter- pretation" (Conybeare and Howson); shall any of God's gifts be suppressed or discarded? Room for all, need for all, blessings for all, blessings in all, exist ; and none must he suffered to fall into desuetude or cast away as useless. Let each have time and oppor- tunity, subject to one inflexible condition: "Let all things be done unto edifying." Edify has had emphasis after emphasis in the conduct of the argument, and surely the Corinthians can be at no loss to understand its meaning. But St. Paul will particularize. Edification allows the use of tongues. Edification requires, however, that the tongues be used in order and under strict propriety. The order and propriety are specified: "If there be any who speak in tongues, let not more than two, or at the most thre~, speak (in the same assembly); and let them speak in turn; and let the Sl\Ille intcrp~cter CH. xiv. 1-10.] THE FlllST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 469