Introduction: The Era of the Holy Spirit and the Early Church Context
As Pastor Jang Jae-hyung explains 1 Corinthians 14, he first presents the historical and cultural background of the early church. At that time, there was no fully established theological system, traditional church organization, or finalized New Testament canon. Believers met in house churches, and worship orders and forms were not as standardized as they are today. This flexible environment provided fertile ground for the free manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s gifts and supernatural phenomena within the church.
Paul’s detailed discussion of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12–14 stemmed from the fact that abundant spiritual experiences could sometimes lead to disorder and confusion in the community. For example, the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2 and the speaking in various tongues served as a powerful sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence and the spread of the gospel. However, when such gifts were used without order, as in the Corinthian church, confusion arose in the congregation.
Pastor Jang emphasizes that Paul’s principles—love and order—remain just as important today. The era of the Holy Spirit has already dawned (see Joel 2:28), and now anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status, can receive the Spirit’s gifts. This means that the church community is not confined by human customs or reason alone, but lives under God’s transcendent guidance.
1. The Basic Nature of Tongues and Prophecy
In 1 Corinthians 12–14, Paul mentions various spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit”) and, in chapter 14, particularly contrasts tongues and prophecy. Pastor Jang Jae-hyung uses this contrast to highlight the fundamental nature of these two gifts.
(1) Tongues
Speaking in tongues is a spiritual language that transcends human reason, focusing on deep communion between the speaker and God (1 Cor. 14:2). Through tongues, believers can pray for extended periods, sharpen their spiritual sensitivity, and deepen their intimacy with God. This is helpful in all-night prayers or long-term intercessions. Furthermore, tongues can serve as a sign to unbelievers or newcomers, demonstrating that “God is truly at work here” (1 Cor. 14:22) and turning the church community into a place of supernatural presence.
However, tongues do not convey a direct intelligible meaning to the entire congregation, which limits their potential to build up the whole church (1 Cor. 14:4). To address this, Paul advises limiting the use of tongues during public worship or employing them only when an interpreter is present (1 Cor. 14:27–28).
(2) Prophecy
Prophecy is a gift through which God’s message is directly communicated to people. Prophets reveal God’s will, building up, encouraging, and comforting the church community and individual believers (1 Cor. 14:3). Thus, prophecy helps the entire congregation understand God’s heart (1 Cor. 14:24–25) and grow spiritually.
Paul strongly encourages believers to desire prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1) because it conveys God’s will in a language everyone can understand. This enables unbelievers and the spiritually immature to hear the message, repent, and embark on a journey of change. Prophecy enriches communal harmony, doctrinal growth, and spiritual maturity.
2. Paul’s Guidelines for Using Tongues and Prophecy: Love and Order
After stressing the futility of gifts without love in chapter 13, Paul presents practical guidelines for using gifts in chapter 14. The key principles are “love and order.” When exercised in love, gifts edify the church; when practiced with order, they fit harmoniously within the worship service (1 Cor. 14:40).
(1) Exercising Gifts in Love
1 Corinthians 13 teaches that love is the foundation of all gifts. Love seeks the good of the community and prevents gifts from becoming tools of boastfulness or superiority. Both tongues and prophecy bear fruit when practiced in love, building up the church.
While tongues are beneficial for individual spiritual growth, they must not be showcased in public worship in a way that excludes others. Similarly, prophecy delivered with love can bring encouragement, comfort, and even corrective justice that ultimately aims at restoration. Even when addressing sin, a gift exercised in love seeks to uplift and restore the other person.
(2) The Importance of Order
Paul was concerned about disorder in the Corinthian church and insisted that all gifts be used in an appropriate order (1 Cor. 14:33, 40). For tongues, if no interpreter is present, the speaker should speak only to God (1 Cor. 14:28). For prophecy, two or three prophets should speak in turn, allowing others to weigh what is said (1 Cor. 14:29–31).
Order prevents confusion, clarifies the message, and ensures everyone can understand and agree. The purpose of the gifts is not merely supernatural experience but the building up of the church (1 Cor. 14:12) and turning people back to God.
3. The Benefits of Tongues and Prophecy: Growth for Both Individuals and the Community
Pastor Jang notes that both tongues and prophecy are valuable gifts from the Holy Spirit, beneficial to individuals and the entire church community. However, they must always be exercised “in love and order.”
(1) The Benefits of Tongues
Tongues deepen a believer’s spiritual life and broaden the scope of prayer. By communicating with God beyond rational language, the believer strengthens their spirit and develops a prayerful disposition. Additionally, tongues can be a supernatural sign to unbelievers, making them recognize “God is alive here.”
Without interpretation, however, tongues in corporate worship limit understanding and shared benefit. Thus, tongues can be used in personal prayer or in public worship when an interpreter is present, thereby benefiting the whole congregation.
(2) The Benefits of Prophecy
Prophecy directly conveys God’s will to the church, fostering spiritual discernment, growth, comfort, and restoration. When a prophet speaks words that build up, the whole church more clearly hears God’s voice, recognizes its sins and weaknesses, and turns back to Him (1 Cor. 14:24–25). When delivered in love, prophecy opens the way for repentance, maturity, transformation, and hope.
4. The Diversity and Coexistence of Worship: The Harmony of Spiritual Experiences
Early church worship was not limited to a single pastor or preacher; various believers participated with their gifts, creating a dynamic environment that supported the free movement of the Spirit. Yet Paul emphasized the need for fundamental order even amidst this freedom. Both excessive formality and complete chaos were to be avoided.
This still applies today. Sunday worship can be orderly and clear, helping all believers receive God’s will, while midweek prayer gatherings or special meetings can allow more freedom for various gifts, including tongues and prophecy. In all cases, love and order remain the reliable compass.
5. A Sign for Both Unbelievers and Believers: The Purpose of Tongues and Prophecy
Paul states that tongues can be a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:22), potentially sparking their interest in God. Prophecy primarily builds up believers, but unbelievers who hear it may also be convicted, have their hidden sins exposed, and bow before God (1 Cor. 14:24–25).
Thus, tongues and prophecy demonstrate God’s reality to both believers and unbelievers. However, their use requires interpretation, discernment, and verification. Love and order remain crucial.
6. Conclusion: Tongues and Prophecy as Gifts That Build Up the Church in Love and Order
The central message of Pastor Jang Jae-hyung’s sermon, in alignment with 1 Corinthians 14, is as follows:
(1) Gifts, including prophecy, are precious gifts from the Holy Spirit.
(2) These gifts enable direct communion with God, build up the church community, and testify to God’s reality, even to unbelievers.
(3) The original purpose of these gifts is the edification of the church in love.
(4) Paul’s principle—“let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40)—is still valid today.
(5) When exercised in love and order, gifts lead to spiritual maturity and the richness of the community.
Gifts are not magical tricks or personal shows of piety but tools to witness God’s living presence and build up the church. When tongues and prophecy are used properly, the church experiences God’s presence more deeply in worship, manifesting the essential character of a faith community to the world.
Application and Implications
Today’s church exhibits a wide spectrum of attitudes toward the Holy Spirit’s gifts. Some strongly emphasize supernatural phenomena, while others are extremely cautious or even dismissive. Yet 1 Corinthians 14 encourages believers to avoid extremes and embrace a balanced wisdom. There is no need to stifle the gifts or allow them to run unchecked. Using them in love and order, as Paul and Pastor Jang teach, supports a healthy and growing church.
A believer who does not speak in tongues is not spiritually inferior, and one who prophesies is not automatically superior. All gifts come from the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4), and what matters is whether they benefit the community and edify others in love. Without love, gifts are empty (1 Cor. 13:1), and without order, they cause confusion. Therefore, believers should desire the Spirit’s gifts, guided by love and order, as they pursue their spiritual lives.
Church leaders must establish clear guidelines, help believers develop spiritual discernment, and carefully handle any issues that arise. By doing so, tongues, prophecy, and other spiritual gifts will bear true and abundant fruit in the modern church.
Final Word
The core of Pastor Jang Dawit (Jang Jae-hyung, Olivet University founder)’s sermon aligns with Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 14: “Use tongues and prophecy in love and order.” The era of the Holy Spirit is already here, and today’s church is an open space where believers can experience the Spirit’s gifts. However, these gifts find their true meaning only when used to build up the church, guided by love and order.
The message of 1 Corinthians 14 transcends time. By adhering to the biblical principles of gift usage, the church can attain spiritual maturity and communal growth. Through this process, the church presents itself to the world as a genuine worshiping community, testifying to God’s power and love.