Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Seek to Edify
(1 Corinthians 14:1-40)
"Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel." -1 Corinthians 14:12
Chapter 12 introduced the vital need for teaching concerning spiritual gifts as well as the necessity of a shared expression of these gifts through the entire body of Christ. In Chapter 13 this led Paul to lay a foundation of love to be the source by which the spiritual gifts are expressed. Here in chapter 14 Paul returns to the instruction on the use of spiritual gifts.
At the church in Corinth there had often been a misuse of the gift of tongues in their church services. To correct this and other abuses of spiritual gifts, Paul teaches us to judge all things based upon the edification produced by the expression of spiritual gifts. By so doing, Paul removes the common misuse of spiritual gifts that are not rooted in a genuine sensitivity for others as the motivating force of why and how these gifts are used.
Based on this, Paul teaches that the primary value of tongues is to edify one's self. Therefore it should be used primarily in personal worship or when "unlearned" or nonbelievers are not present. This is contrasted with the rest of the gifts, such as prophecy, which can comfort, exhort and edify both the intellect and the spirit (14:2-3, 23). Prophecy has the ability to speak words given by God that can expose a person's deepest thoughts (v. 4, 24-25). Thoughts that only God could know. The result is conviction by the hearer that God truly knows them and is ready to minister to the deepest issues of their life. That God is real and there among His people is undeniable.
Tragically, too few seem to have read this chapter in their Bibles! How many in the Body of Christ have been hurt by prideful expressions of a "gift" without any regard to the best use of that gift for edifying others? Conversely, how many of us have not sought spiritual gifts to edify one another, expecting the paid staff of a church to do all that needs to be done in serving God's people and reaching the lost (12:12-31)? Paul's closing statement on this important area of our spiritual lives should not be overlooked by any of us: "Let all things be done decently and in order" (v. 40).
NKJV Bible Text
1 Corinthians 14:1-40
Prophecy and Tongues
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
| Prophecy and Tongues v. 1 pursue love – Paul concluded his initial teaching on the use of spiritual gifts in chapter 12 saying, "Yet I show you a more excellent way" (v. 31). He goes on in chapter 13 to describe love and its supreme value. Here in chapter 14, he returns to where he left off in 12:30. desire spiritual gifts – Spiritual gifts are not to been seen as oppositions to the primary need for love. Rather, love is to become the force that directs gifts to be used in the way that is the most edifying for others and not a showcase for the gifted person. prophecy – This is a gift that is both "foretelling" and "forth telling." "Foretelling" or telling the future is seen in the following examples: Acts 11:27-30, 13:1-2, 20:23, 21:10-13. "Forth telling" is to teach the word in a way that is directly related to the people who are taught. Examples include Isaiah 1:1-23, Jeremiah 7:1-25, Malachi 3:8-12 and 1 Corinthians 14:24-25. | v. 2 speaks in a tongue – The primary gift of tongues is to become a vehicle of praise to God, praise that comes deep from within, expressing one's heart to God. Examples of this are recorded in Acts 2:8-11 where they spoke "the wonderful works of God." v. 3 edification – building up and encouraging a person exhortation – These are words that call a person to action. comfort – These words bring healing and strength to a weary soul. v. 4 edifies himself – The primary value of tongues is the spiritually renewing impact it has on an individual believer. v. 5 all spoke with tongues – Paul makes it clear that he is not opposed to this gift, only its misuse. |
Tongues Must Be Interpreted
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
| Tongues Must Be Interpreted v. 6 I profit you – Paul makes it clear that his primary concern is that whatever happens during a general gathering of believers, the goal is what produces the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people. revelation – This word refers to the understanding of God's word that comes through insight given by the Holy Spirit within a believer's own spirit (Eph. 1:17-20). knowledge – Knowledge is the gift of the Spirit where God gives a person understanding of something or someone that they would not have known unless the Holy Spirit revealed it. prophecy – This is the proclamation of truth that has a direct and very personal impact on a person's life (14:3, 14:24-25). | v. 6 teaching – Teaching refers to the organized presentation of truth that uses reason, logic and intellect. v. 9 speaking into the air – This refers to the way the person speaking in tongues is perceived by onlookers. It does not mean that it is not a genuine gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13-14). v. 11 not knowing the meaning – In 1 Corinthians 4:7-11, Paul gives three examples of situations where sounds or words that are heard but not understood are of no value to those who hear them. These practical examples are to help build Paul's argument that the gift of the tongues has little value for anyone except the edification received by the one who utters the tongues (v. 2-4). v. 12 edification of one's church – Paul comes back to the core value that our actions must be determined by what is best for others, what builds others up. |
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
| v. 13 pray that he may interpret – Based on the need for public meetings to be conducted so that all are edified, Paul gives room for the gift of tongues if the person who speaks in tongues is also given a gift to interpret what is said. v. 14 my spirit prays – We know from the example in Acts 2:26-28 that the gift of tongues is given to express from our inner most being in prayer and praise the wonders and glory of God. v. 15 the conclusion – Paul's conclusion is that there is a place for prayer and worship that is a direct expression in tongues. It is to be done alone (v. 2) and not with non-believers or those uninformed about the gift of tongues (v. 23). There should also be a place where it is best to pray, sing, and worship in a way that the intellect is the vehicle of that praise. | v. 16 Amen – Logically, when people gather for corporate worship and they have no clue as to what one is praying or singing about, they cannot share in the worship. v. 18 I thank God – In no way does Paul seek to minimize the great value tongues can have in the life of a believer. He therefore makes sure they know he has found in his own private devotional life great benefit in worshiping and praying in tongues. v. 19 five words with my understanding – Paul was a man who believed that in whatever situation he was in he was to do his best to edify and serve those around him. The last thing he wanted was to confuse a person about God because of tongues. |
Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
21 In the law it is written:
"With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,"
says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
| Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers v. 22 a sign – This statement seems to be out of harmony with what will be stated in v. 23. There they are told that tongues is not a sign for unbelievers. In fact, if unbelievers are exposed to tongues they will conclude that those involved are "out of their minds." Please refer to the footnote for four main views on interpreting this passage. v. 23 out of your mind – Paul's heart for the lost and unlearned Christian clearly comes through in this verse. This is unlike many who will claim that they are too spiritual to limit that which may appear to non-believers as ridiculous. | v. 24 if all prophecy – Paul now makes it clear why prophecy is a gift that can serve both the believer and non-believer and is therefore of greater value when people are gathered together to meet with God. v. 25 God is truly among you – Prophecy is given by God to speak God's word in such a way that is strikes to the deepest and most personal issues in a person's life. These are words that make it clear that God truly speaks through the gift of prophecy. |
Order in Church Meetings
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
| Order in Church Meetings v. 26 each of you has – One of the strong points of the Church of Corinth was that there was a high level of ministry involvement from all the believers. They came to worship services ready to share in the ministry with each other. Paul supports that "all things" should be apart of the church ministry. His only concern is that all things be done orderly so that all people attending would be spiritually built up. v. 27 two or at most three – Paul gives specific guidance as to how to maintain order and edification. They are to limit tongues to only two or three times, and then only if they can be interpreted. | v. 29 other judge – Edification and order is only kept if people are not mislead by "prophecies" that are not genuinely given by the Holy Spirit. They must be judged by those in authority at their meetings to assure that they are in line with scripture. v. 33 not author of confusion – The example given in verses 30-32 is to avoid confusion by only allowing one prophecy to be spoken at a time. A person through whom the Holy Spirit gives prophecy is not to claim he had no control over waiting until it is proper to give the prophecy. He is to be submitted to the others in the meeting and act in a way that maintains order. |
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
| v. 35 shameful for women to speak in church – This must be interpreted in the context of the rest of Paul's letter. One of Paul's concerns has been that the liberty that Christ has given women not be expressed in a way that disrespected the culture in which they live. This is clear from 11:4-16, where Paul is very strong on respecting the cultural customs, such as women wearing veils in public and having long hair, and men having short hair. Obviously, if you live in a culture where it would be odd to wear a veil, then this same principle would require women not to wear a veil, etc. In ancient times, for women to function in the role of a man (e.g. public speaking) would be seen as shameful and disrespectful. Paul is asking that this cultural norm be respected. This does not seem to apply to women exercising other spiritual gifts, as women are referred to giving prophecies in the New Testament (Luke 2:36, Acts 2:17, 21:9). | v. 36 originally from – Paul asks them to face the facts about their arrogance when it comes to their gifts and ministry of the Spirit. They are not the source of scripture or the first church (the mother church). v. 37 thinks himself to be – Paul exposes the false spiritual pride that was so evident in the leaders of their church. They assumed that they were so spiritual they did not need to be held accountable for their theology, practices, and methods of ministry. v. 38 arrogant – If, after all Paul has taught, some claim to still not understand or accept his teaching, then he says their arrogance is their choice. Let them remain so; there is nothing more he can say. v. 39 desire...do not forbid – The bottom line is not to avoid gifts of the spirit but to use them wisely. |
