1 Corinthians 14:23-33

²³ Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

²⁴ But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.

²⁵ And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

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.

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.

convicted (v.24) — his heart is examined

secrets of his heart are revealed (v.25) — he will see his thoughts and motives in their true light

The point of verse 26 seems to be that, instead of being led by the Spirit, they were coming prepared with their “revelations” and all speaking at once.

If tongues were to be spoken in church, it should be done only if there was an interpreter, and even then, only by two or three people (vs. 27-28).

to himself (v.28) — in private

let the others judge (v.29) — whether the one prophesying was doing so by the Holy Spirit

you can all prophesy (v.31) — All were permitted to speak out if they had prophetic revelation, but only two or three per service (v.29).

Verse 32 is saying that those who prophesy had self-control, unlike those speaking in tongues.