Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
1 Corinthians 14:29
Throughout this chapter, Paul contrasted speaking in tongues with prophecy. He tells us that speaking in tongues is a gift whose value is for the individual and should be private unless someone can interpret what was said. Prophecy, however, is a gift given for the benefit of the church. In this context, prophecy has nothing to do with predicting the future. It is speaking to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3).
During this discussion, Paul describes what might occur during a worship service (1 Cor. 14:26-33). This included music, tongues when there was an interpreter, and prophecy. And there could be two or three of each, speaking one at a time. In this, Paul is not telling us what our worship services should look like. Instead, he is describing what was taking place in Corinth.
But one thing he would still tell us today, regardless of what we do as we come together, is to “weigh carefully what is said.” Don’t just sit and passively listen to what the one preaching or teaching is saying. Be an active listener. Weigh what is said carefully. Compare it with what the Bible says. Do the words that are spoken line up with the words that are written?
If they do not line up, then we should reject that word of prophecy because it is not from God. But if they do, we should seriously consider our response to what we have heard. Be like the Berean Jews who heard Paul’s message, examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true, and responded by coming to faith in the Lord Jesus (Acts 17:11-12).
