Returning to the thirteenth chapter of first Corinthians then, we resume our observations here with Paul’s statement that “Love never ends” (13:8a). We hear that in association with a community that is creating divisions and hierarchies, both social and spiritual, and allowing those divisions and hierarchies to have a place at the meal table that is meant to represent the flattened-out world of the messianic banquet. They are subverting that which is meant to be subversive, and acting in a way that is not in concert with what has been taught them about love (and here reiterated by Paul).
In addressing the divisions that have been become a part of the structure of this church, Paul pushes them to the margins, writing “But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside” (13:8b-10). When received in the proper setting and understood within the flow of the letter, what is perfect would seem to be the presence of the consummated kingdom of heaven. The church is to be the practitioner of that which has been established through the Resurrection of Jesus and the new world that was brought into existence with that Resurrection, in anticipation of that expected consummation. If we know that these things will end and be set aside, then certainly any divisions and hierarchies within the church that take away from the unity of the meal table and that are constructed based upon the exercise of these spiritual gifts, should be set aside in the course of that practice of the kingdom of God.
When Paul adds “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways” (13:11), it is as if he is telling this church that they need to grow up and put aside the ways of the world that surrounded them, and to stop being infected by an overt, Christ-and-kingdom-denying concern with honor and shame and status. The ethic of love, as it was and is to be embodied by the confessors of Jesus as Messiah and Lord, is to be overly concerned with neighborliness (such as that which was put on display by what must have been the well-known, though not yet recorded in Lukan form, parable of the Good Samaritan), rather than selfish pursuits (whether social or spiritual) that would only serve to divide and to corrupt the purity that Jesus expects to be on display through the table-based, community informing, fellowshipping witness of His church.
Now, this is not to diminish the operation of the spiritual gifts, as Paul does say “Pursue love and be eager for spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (14:1). However, Paul wants to make it clear that the exercise of spiritual gifts is not for the cultivation of a private spirituality or a “personal relationship with God” (though these are certainly side benefits), but for the benefit of the community in which they are exercised. This is made patently obvious when we read (hear) “For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, the one who prophesies builds up the church” (14:4).
This is not the place for a discourse concerning the nature of speaking in tongues, or of what is meant by prophecy, but it is the place to point out that Paul does indicate that there should be a desire to prophesy, setting this over speaking in tongues. The reason given is that prophecy “builds up the church,” whereas tongues does not. However, we also hear this along with the insistence that “I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy” (14:5a). Why is this? Because “The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened” (14:5b). Here, Paul makes it fairly clear that the true value of speaking in tongues, especially when the exercise of spiritual gifts is directed towards the edification of the community in the operation of mutual and self-sacrificial love, is in the strengthening of the church, which occurs when interpretation occurs. The gift of tongues is perverted when it becomes a measuring stick for spirituality (just as any gift of the spirit is perverted when it becomes a measuring stick for spirituality), especially if it leads to artificial and damaging hierarchies and stratifications within the church, thereby causing the church to look no different than the on-looking world. The only difference is that the seats at the table are determined by the abuse of that which comes from the Spirit of Christ. Surely, this is the type of thing that would make our Lord want to vomit!
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