by Timothy W. Burnett
Due to misinterpretation, churches have taught that the interpretation is given by somebody in the group besides the one speaking in tongues. The word "one" refers to the "man" who was speaking. This is cleared up in the next verse. For if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence and let him speak to himself and God. Let who keep silence? The one who speaks in tongues, but does not believe to interpret. That one should keep silent and not speak in tongues in the church seeing that he does not believe to give the interpretation of the tongues.
Verses 29-31 address prophecy, "Let the prophets speak two or three and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be comforted." Notice that speaking in tongues and prophecy involve at least two to three people. They were not designed to benefit only one person. Of course as we grow in the spirit and practice prophecy in our personal lives, it is God's will that we eventually utilize it in the church setting, given that it is allowed in the church.
I love the part that says, "For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and be comforted." Like children we so look forward to speaking by the spirit of God for the edification of the church that we eagerly wait for our turn because we love our fellow saints and brethren, and want to give them sweet and loving words of edification and comfort by the spirit in us.
The saints in Corinth were no doubt doing this at one time. Imagine the confusion and discomfort of sitting in a church fellowship and listening to 10 or 20 people all speaking in tongues with interpretation and giving prophecy at the same time. Nobody could understand what is spoken. You know what happens when this continues? Soon they are acting possessed and out of control. Maybe some of us have seen this in churches.
God cleared all of this up with the following information, "And the spoirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion" (1Corinthians 14:32-33). Remember that all saints have the capacity of a prophet because they have the spirit of God in them. The spirit that is in us is subject to us. It does not possess or convict people. God is not the author of the confusion that results from the misues of the spiritual matters. This kind of confusion takes away that true peace that is from God. For God is the author of peace. This is true for all the churches of the saints.
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