John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 14:29

"And let the prophets speak [by] two or three, and let the others discern." — 1 Corinthians 14:29 (ASV)

Prophets, two or three. Regarding prophecy, too, he prescribes limits, because, as they commonly say, "multitude breeds confusion." This is true, as we know from everyday experience. He does not, however, restrict the number as definitely as when he was discussing tongues, for there is less danger if they engage in prophesying for a longer time—indeed, continued prophesying would be the most desirable thing of all—but Paul considered what human weakness could bear.

There still remains, however, a question: why does he assign the same number to prophesying and to tongues—except that, concerning the latter, he particularly adds, "at the most,"—for if tongues are less useful, surely they ought to be used more sparingly?

I answer that even in tongues, as he uses the term, prophecy is included, for tongues were used either for discourses or for prayers. In the first case, the interpreter functioned as the prophet; thus, this was its principal and more frequent use.

He only limits its measure, lest it should fall into contempt through overuse, and lest those who were less skillful should prevent those better qualified from having time and opportunity to speak. For he would undoubtedly want those to whom he assigns the duty of speaking to be from a more select class, appointed by common consent. None, however, are more inclined to push themselves forward than those who have but a slight smattering of knowledge, so that the proverb holds true: “Ignorance is presumptuous.” Paul aimed to remedy this evil by assigning the office of speaking to two or three.

Let the others judge. Lest he give the others any occasion to complain—as though he desired that the gift of God should be suppressed and buried among them—he shows in what way they may lawfully use it for the benefit of the Church, even by keeping silent, if they apply themselves to judging what is said by others. For it is a significant advantage that there should be some who are skillful in judging, who will not allow sound doctrine to be perverted by the impostures of Satan or otherwise corrupted by silly trifles. Paul, accordingly, teaches that the other prophets will be useful to the Church, even by keeping silent.

It may seem absurd, however, that people should be given liberty to judge the doctrine of God, which ought to be placed beyond all controversy. I answer that the doctrine of God is not subjected to human scrutiny, but permission is simply given to them to judge by the Spirit of God whether it is His word that is presented to them, or whether human inventions are, without any authority, passed off under this pretext, as we will have occasion to notice again before long.