1 Corinthians 14:20-40
The gift of tongues was granted in order to evangelise, not to build up the assembly. Now "edification" is the key-word of this chapter, the touch stone to which all action must be subject; what I intend to say or do, is it really for the well-being of my brethren (Ephesians 4:29)? Moreover, if I have their welfare as my objective, I shall always find a blessing for myself at the same time. If on the other hand I think only of my interest or my glory, a loss both for others and myself will be the end result (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Two other conditions govern the life of the assembly: decorum and order (v. 40). They are the two banks between which the flow of the Holy Spirit must be contained. They impose practical rules which are linked with common sense (vv. 26-33) or the divine order (vv. 34, 35). The apostle did not want the Corinthians to be ignorant (1 Corinthians 12:1). However if someone neglects to learn of these matters relating to the Assembly, well, let that person remain ignorant (v. 38). God is a God of peace (v. 33) and He desires that the Assembly, in response to His own nature, should be the place to which He can lead unsaved ones who will recognise His presence there (vv. 24, 25).