What was happening in the Corinthian congregation because of speaking in tongues?
In the Corinthian congregation, speaking in tongues was causing commotion rather than edifying anyone. The chapter stresses that an unknown tongue must be interpreted so it can communicate; without interpretation it is lost energy and lost time. This disorder in the local assembly showed the need for love and understanding.
Les explains that the gift of tongues was not meant to create confusion but to communicate. He points to verse 13, where the one speaking in an unknown tongue is told to pray that he may interpret. The purpose is communication; otherwise it is just so much lost energy and lost time. Les notes that even in Corinth it had gotten to the place where it was just causing commotion in the local congregation, and no one was being edified by it. The whole purpose of the chapter, in the Spirit of love, was to bring these people to a solid understanding.
More Questions
What problem did speaking in tongues cause in the Corinthian church?
In Corinth, uninterpreted speaking in tongues had gotten to the place where it was causing commotion in the local congregation.