Speaking in tongues is a divisive issue. The Corinthians were using this gift in their corporate worship, out loud, and without interpretation. Paul’s emphasizes that it would be great for all to speak in tongues, but he says it would be even better to prophesy, because when you prophesy you build people up, you encourage, and you console.

Speaking in tongues is a divisive issue. The Corinthians were using this gift in their corporate worship, out loud, and without interpretation. Paul’s emphasizes that it would be great for all to speak in tongues, but he says it would be even better to prophesy, because when you prophesy you build people up, you encourage, and you console.

Paul tells the Corinthians that he's not impressed by what gifts they have or what they do with them. What’s most important is the way of love.

Paul tells the Corinthians that he's not impressed by what gifts they have or what they do with them. What’s most important is the way of love.

Instead of stewarding the gifts God had given them to unify and edify the church, the Corinthians had begun to use the gifts to divide. Paul addresses this spiritual pride by reminding them of their corporate identity, their need for diversity, and God's sovereignty over their gifts.

Instead of stewarding the gifts God had given them to unify and edify the church, the Corinthians had begun to use the gifts to divide. Paul addresses this spiritual pride by reminding them of their corporate identity, their need for diversity, and God's sovereignty over their gifts.

Paul addresses the Corinthian’s spiritual pride, confronting the idea that to have certain gift or spiritual experience make anyone more spiritual than other people.

Paul addresses the Corinthian’s spiritual pride, confronting the idea that to have certain gift or spiritual experience make anyone more spiritual than other people.

Paul raises the issues that corporate worship was meant to be a display of the gospel, yet for the Corinthian church, the way they celebrated the family meal (communion) was doing everything to undermine it.

Paul raises the issues that corporate worship was meant to be a display of the gospel, yet for the Corinthian church, the way they celebrated the family meal (communion) was doing everything to undermine it.