Prophets Speaking by Two or Three 1 Corinthians 14:29

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “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, and if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twenty of First Corinthians, Paul declared, “let the prophets speak two or three”, where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Let the prophets speak two or three, ...”. Paul began with the word, “Let” or “allow and permit” “the prophets” which refers to “ones who are moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman who solemnly declare to men what they have received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “speak” or “utter a voice, emit or articulate a sound” “two or three” which means “twice or thrice”. Only “two or three” people with the “spiritual gift” of “prophecy” within the church were to speak.

The verse goes on to say, “... and let the other judge.” Paul continued with the words, “and let” which means “and allow and permit” “the other” or “another person or group of people” “judge” which means “separate, make a distinction, discriminate and prefer”. The other church members were to “separate, examine and make distinction” as to whether the “prophesy” was true or not.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how he gave order to the “prophetic” “spiritual gift” as well. “Two or three” people were to give “prophetic words”, and the remainder of the people were to “examine” or “judge” them. God never contradicts Himself or His word, and everything that was proclaimed should be in complete agreement with both of them. Jesus Christ does not want “confusion” or “heresy” to be within the church, and when the Holy Spirit directs someone to be “prophetic” by either “forth-telling” or “fore-telling”, we should be diligent to be sure their words align with God's.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “if any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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