1 Cor. 14 — “Each of you”

1 Cor. 14 — “Each of you”

Some have shied away from this passage because it includes elements (like “tongues”) which they feel have ceased. Whatever the case may be, however, it seems to me that there are some principles revealed here that confirm the lines of thought we have seen in 1 Cor.12, Rom.12, and Eph.4:16 (cf. Owen, Works, Vol.13, p.35).

Several things are evident in this chapter. First, Paul is dealing with the entire church a gathered: “the whole church come together in one place” (v.23: cf. 1Cor.11:18). Secondly, there is nothing said about the ministry of one man. Thirdly, there is much stated about the ministry of many: “that you may prophesy” (v.1); “when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has an interpretation” (v.26); “you all may prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted” (v.31).

The Greek word for “each one” is hekastos. It is used in the N.T. to show the individuality of judgment: “everyone shall give account of himself to God” (Rom.14:12; cf. Matt.16:27; 25:15; Rom.2:6). In Acts 2:3, the Holy Spirit “sat upon each of them,” indicating that this happened to each individual.

Does it not appear, then, that the edification of the body involves a hekastatic principle? That is, the “ministry” is not given to one man, but to “each of you.” This does not mean, of course, that at every service each person must participate. But it does at least mean that the service at some point was open to those who had something from the Lord to contribute.

We must keep in mind that this “each one” principle was taking place in the assembling together of the church: “when you come together [as a church, v.23], every one of you...” (v.26). It is, therefore, of note that in the Reformed tradition the minister and his sermon became the focus of attention, and the brethren speaking to one another was to take place in homes apart from the gathering of the church together (cf. Owen, Works, Vol.13, p.46; Colin Richards, “Fellowship in the Local Church,” Local Church Practice, pp.97-98). On what N.T. basis may we remove the “each of you” practice from the stated “whole church” gatherings? In the Reformed tradition, “the acts of worship were grouped around the pulpit as the most important centre of the church” (J. L. Ainslie, The Doctrines of Ministerial Order in the Reformed Churches of the 16th and 17th Centuries [Edinburgh, 1940], p.51). Where in 1Cor.14 can we find a pulpit centrality that focuses on one man?

I am not suggesting in all of this that the elders do not teach in the church gatherings, or, conversely, that all must speak. Obviously, the teaching of the elders is to give backbone and guidance to the flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim.3:2). But it is clear that speaking words of edification in the local church is not limited to one “minister.”

Where is any opportunity given to others to speak unto edification in our services? What grounds are there in the N.T. to limit public speaking to the elders, especially the “pastor”? 1 Cor.14 teaches the exact opposite of such an idea. Are the basic principles of this passage now obsolete because the canon of Scripture is closed?

~ Jon Zeus