How often the gifts of the Spirit, are to be used

By John Chopores

 

 

1Co 14:26 ¶ How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

It would seem; from this verse: every time the church comes together; it is to have these gifts active!

However, every member does not need to use his or her gift at every meeting. Because: the Greek word used here for “has” is “ἔχει” which can mean: “be able to, have the capacity to”^[1]. And the gift that one has from God: is in the control of the person using the Gift. Cf. 1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

 

The Greek word for “Psalm” is “psalmos”, it means: “1. LN 33.112 song of praise, adj. Psalm”^[2], in Classical Greek it meant: “a twitching or twanging with the fingers, of a bow”^[3], “primarily denoted a striking or twitching with the fingers (on musical strings); then, a sacred song, sung to musical accompaniment, a psalm.”^[4]

 

 The Greek word used here for “teaching” is “PHAINO”, which “signifies, in the Active Voice, to shine; in the Passive, to be brought forth into light, to become evident, to appear.”^[5]

The Greek word used in this verse for “revelation” is “apokalupsis”. It means: “an uncovering”^[6].

 

 

1Co 14:18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

It would seem from the verse; that St. Paul spoke with tongues often!  Since Paul thanked God that he spoke in tongues often; he must have thought that speaking in tongues often was a good thing to do!

 

1Co 14:19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues can in used in private: or in a church meeting. While tongues do build up our spirit: our main object in a church meeting is to build up others. Cf. 1Co 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

 

Tongues can help build up a church: if the speaker interprets. Cf. 1Co 14:5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

 

We need to know the Bible rules of Church order. Cf. 1Co 14:27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.