Speak in Tongues by Two or Three 1 Corinthians 14:27

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth if, “every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twenty-seven of First Corinthians, Paul declared, “if any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three”, where we read:

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two,

or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

The verse begins, “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, ...”. Paul began with the word, “If” or “whether” “any man” which means “a certain or some people” “speak” which refers to “to utter a voice, emit or articulate” “in an unknown tongue” or “in a language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations”, “let it be by” which means “allow it to be down from, through out, according to and toward” “two” or “twain”, “or at the most” which means “at the largest number” “by three” or “trice”. Paul gave the order of those who “speak in unknown tongues”, and they were only to do so by “two or three” at the most.

The verse continues, “... and that by course; and let one interpret.” Paul continued with the words, “and that by course” which means “a part due or assigned, severally or individually”; “and let” or “and allow or permit” “one” which refers to “and only a certain one” “interpret” or “to unfold the meaning of what is said, explain and expound”. If people “speak in tongues”, they should do so in an orderly way and someone should “unfold the meaning of what is said”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see there is an order to the manner in which the “vocal spiritual gift” of “speaking in tongues” is to be exercised. There are only to be “two or three” people who use this “gift”, and those should be in succession. The “tongues” were also to be “interpreted”. The implication is that there were those within the church that were not following this order, however, Paul gave them instructions that would “edify” Jesus' church. Let us follow after the “order” that is to be exercised with the “vocal spiritual gifts”, and be certain that the “edification” of people is our goal.

Next time Paul tells the church members if someone “speaks in tongues”, “if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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