1 Corinthians 14

Paul wrote chapters 12-14 to remove ignorance(1 Corinthians 12:1) of the spiritual gifts. In chapter 14 Paul addresses the use of divinely inspired speech. Prophesying, can be a tongue known to the speaker and hearer or a tongue the speaker and hearer do not know. Prophesying being, audible speech under divine inspiration. Prophesying is not prayer. The intent of prophesying is to affect others. When we gather we will pray but our focus should be to edify others.

Paul gives the following verses to balance what he says through the chapter so nothing will be lost.

Vs 1 earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Vs 39 desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

The arrangement of the words in these verses are like book ends, a parenthesis, boundaries about how to verbally edify the body of Messiah. Verse 1 and 39 concisely explains the entire chapter. The problem in Corinth seems to have been too many were edifying themselves in tongues and were not trying to edify the body as a whole. The two ways the body is edified in this chapter are, plain spoken prophecy or supernatural language with an interpreter. The error of the modern ecclecia is simply put, they only focus on plain spoken and natural edification and reject the supernatural utterance of tongues.

The World English Bible (This is the version used in this writing) translates the word gloce-sah (Strong's 1100) as language. In the Greek the word means tongue or language,tongues will be used in this writing because of it's word picture. Paul, in verses 7-10, uses instruments as an example. The word sound gives a picture of voice.

γλοσσα

Pronunciation:gloce-sah'

Definition:1) the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech 2) a tongue 1a) the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations

1 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. 5 Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up. 6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you,unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

v1 Earnestly desire spiritual gifts; this is purposefully non specific. This chapter indicates that the Corinthian body had an issue of only speaking in the gift of tongues. Paul is forcing them to acknowledge the other gifts by keeping the other 8 on the table. In verse 5 he singles out his desire that they speak in tongues, he uses the word desire and not the phrase earnestly desire. In that sense he is using a softer word. He would rather they prophesy.

If we can't look at a congregation and say earnestly desire spiritual gifts then we are not a New Testament people. That should be our earnest desire is to use the gifts of the Spirit- to edify. Paul acknowledges that tongues, or languages, are a gift of the Spirit but focus should be made on prophesying

v2 When someone uses the spiritual gift of tongues he is speaking mysteries to God. It isn't useless. It is prayer to God. Even if someone is praying in a tongue they know and everyone else knows, it is their prayer and prayer has one audience unless it is a prayer of thanks for food or blessing people (see vs 16). Our goal is to make mysteries known to the body, Paul teaches how to shift into doing just that.

v3 Paul defines prophecy as speaking to people with the intent to edify, encourage and console. Literally to speak forth by divine inspiration.

v4 If tongues were demonic it would not build up anyone, a point many people miss. The spiritual gift of tongues builds up the one who is praying. Jude 1:20 we build up our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. Paul will add clarity to this statement soon. When we assemble the focus should be on speaking under divine inspiration to the body, to edify, console, and encourage when we are together.

Some will say that not everyone speaks in tongues. If this was the case then why was Corinth having issues with everyone speaking or praying in tongues? Why would praying in tongues edify the speaker? If only a few speak in the gift of tongues then this verse does not make sense. Why would Paul offer instruction on a gift when only a few speak in tongues? It is because in the Book of Acts chapters 2, 10, and 19 Peter and Paul point to "speaking in tongues" as the sign of the outpouring and baptism of the Holy Spirit. Since the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father and is for everyone, then everyone will speak in tongues when they are filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit. This understanding helps make sense of what Paul is saying. Because if everyone speaks in tongues then the gift can then be abused, it is the abuse of this gift that Paul is writing about.

v5 Paul wishes or desires, this is a softer phrase but he is indicating that it is this specific gift of the Spirit that has caused an issue.

If anyone says, “I don’t want you  to speak in tongues” they are contradicting Paul. The spiritual gift of tongues is equal to prophesying when the spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues takes place. If someone speaks in the spiritual gifts of tongues without interpretation then it is inferior to the use of edifying the entire body.

In 1 Corinthians 12:10 tongues and the interpretation of tongues are gifts of the Spirit, to be used for edifying the body. As you read in verse 2 you can speak in tongues and edify yourself but when speaking to the body someone needs to interpret so the body can be built up. When we gather together, we want to edify everyone.

v6 The context of the chapter is spiritual gifts, even if it were a foreign tongue Paul was speaking, it would be one that came by the Spirit, or it wouldn't be a spiritual gift.

So if he came speaking in tongues by the Spirit he wouldn't benefit them unless interpreted. The preceding verse made the case for them to interpret if someone spoke to the group in tongues. Paul is using himself as an illustration. Later on he will use God as an illustration but two more illustrations first.

We could dive deeper here and look at each category revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching. Fascinating.

7 Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? 9 So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I don’t now the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. 13 Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

v7 Another illustration. If you play an instrument for the body. It needs to be a tune they know or can understand. It isn't time to practice or learn. Edify the assembly.  

v8 Another illustration. The whole reason to sound a trumpet would be for others to hear. It is the intent of the speaker here that is being illustrated. Like in verse 7, Paul came to them, his intention was to give them something. If he came praying in a tongue then the intent would be completely different. He can speak mysteries to God, but his intent is to make mysteries known to man. That should be our intent as well when doing something for the body.

v9 Just like a psalmist playing music to inspire worship, a watchman lifting up the trumpet of alarm to ready the warriors, a speaker of divine inspiration should bring the message with understanding, either use the gift of interpretation or use a common tongue. All three things are going into the air without benefiting the intended audience unless they give distinct sounds.

Your tongue is the instrument and it will give sound, use your instrument to give voice to the Spirit.

v10-11 All languages have distinction. They all have meaning. It may not be intelligible to the hearer. The gift of interpretation of tongues is the solution to this problem.

v12 You will run the risk of being a foreigner unless you bridge the gap between the speaker and the hearer and use the companion to the gift of tongues, interpretation.

Side note. Should we not be eager to see the Spirit manifest? The manifestation being the gifts of the Spirit. Not just tongues but all the gifts. When they manifest, excel in building up the body! I see no warning of demonic activity. In fact, I see that we should be seeing the manifestation of the Spirit, if not, what is wrong with us? If the gifts of the Spirit do not manifest are we like the book of Acts congregation?

v13 Since you are eager for the manifestation of the gifts, like tongues, pray for the manifestation of the gift of interpretation. If you are eager for the manifestation of the Spirit it should not manifest only in one gift(ie tongues), but the Spirit will seek to edify all. Excel in that.

v14 The fear of being a foreigner to others; Paul teaches how to transition from an unfruitful mind to a fruitful mind. He is speaking of praying here, most likely for the benefit of others.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say? 17 For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up. 18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. 19 However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.

v15 So, Paul drawing a relationship between their behavior and the solution he has worked out within himself. Again, the immediate context is praying for others or singing for others. Do it in your spirit but don’t forget others, keep your mind focused on the purpose of what you are doing.

v16 If you forget to keep your mind focused on what you are intending to do, thanksgiving or prayer or singing, you shouldn't expect the "Amen". They need to understand when you are praying for their benefit or speaking to them so they can say, “Amen”.

v17 Did you notice that, you may be giving thanks well. The issue isn’t if you are giving thanks well or not, the issue is the hearer that you are trying to edify. Don’t be a foreigner to them. Interpret.

v18 Paul was not thanking God for a language he knew. He was thanking God for being used in the gift of tongues; more than any of them! This should be said by every Pastor! This also means that this isn’t just a gift for a select few, but for all of them.

Paul is also reaffirming the gift of tongues. He wants them to be balanced, not exclude one gift over the other as long as it edifies the body.

v19 In verse 14 he said when he prays his mind is unfruitful. So he is going to speak to the people with his mind, this means that he will use the language his mind knows. Verse 15 he is going to do this with his spirit too. He is just going to keep his mind focused on the intended audience.

It would do all of us well if we spoke in ten thousand words in tongues in our prayer closet and speak in less tongues in the assembly. The fear that should impact each of us is the fear of getting pride filled by being super spiritual. Let's strive to pray in tongues more and more. 5 words in a known language after praying in tongues in private for ten thousand words will be impactful!

20 Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature. 21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They won’t even hear me that way, says the Lord.” 22 Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe. 23 If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy? 24 But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

v20 Paul is trying to bring them to maturity in their knowledge of how to use the gifts. The next verse Paul demonstrates what happens when immature followers don’t understand the Word or understand how to use the gifts and the outcome for the hearer. Paul is heading into some deep water but in typical Pauline fashion, he navigates it with uncanny biblical deftness.

v21 When there is a quote we need to go back to the source and learn what it is saying and then let it bear its weight on our understanding of what Paul is instructing, Isaiah 28:9-13.

This prophecy is for Ephraim, God is trying to tell them something but because the Word of God was like baby talk to them, the phrase “Line upon line precept upon precept here a little there a little” "קו לקו קו לקו" is constructed with a Hebrew word pattern mimicking baby talk. The point was the people were too infantile in their thinking to understand and they were unskilled in the word. Because the Word was like baby talk to them, they didn’t listen to it. God would then send them a nation that would talk in a language they wouldn’t understand. In Verse 12 The Lord has said to them in the past that this is the rest and refreshing, they wouldn’t hear the plain written Word or open Prophecy, now he is going to speak to them and make them wish they had rest and refreshing. They will most likely look for answers or even ask for rest and refreshing. God will reply the same way he replied before but they will not understand it. Verse 13 it will sound like baby talk to them again and they will fall backward and be broken, snared, and taken. In this light we look at the next verse.

** Aside - The Hebrew word pattern mimicking baby talk may also be alluding to their dabbling in the Word but not seeking all of the Word. Preachers do this all the time and it is highlighted here in 1 Corinthians 14.

v22 Paul is hitting hard now, trying to get the immature believers to understand and become mature in their use of spiritual gifts. He uses God as the new illustration, God is the speaker and unbelievers, Ephraim, as the hearer.

The spiritual gift of tongues, without someone using the spiritual gift to interpret, is a sign to the unbeliever and not a good sign. They will be broken, snared, and taken if they can’t understand. Sobering huh?

v23 And all speak in tongues… The sign to an unbeliever when only the gift of tongues is being used to speak, the unbelievers or outsiders will see the sign of people who have lost their minds. The connection here is when Paul said he will pray with his mind also. Not just his spirit.The unbeliever or outsider just doesn’t understand what is going on. Unless someone is used in the gift of interpretation all is lost for the unbeliever, he will not understand and will stay broken, snared, and taken like Ephraim. This is not the goal.

Inversely, the gift of tongues for believers is perfectly acceptable if they are praying, if they are speaking to others as explained previously, the gift of interpretation needs to happen.

v24 Remember the gift of tongues with the interpretation of tongues is considered prophesying. The gift of tongues alone will bring destruction to the unbelievers or outsiders. Our goal is to bring understanding and conviction.

v25 We know God is among us, even when all are speaking in tongues, but we need the unbelievers to believe it too and the outsiders to know. So they can be saved.

26 What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. 27 If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern. 30 But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. 32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, 33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints. 34 Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says, 35 if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.” 36 What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

v26 Why didn’t Paul just say, “Stop all this gift of tongues shenanigans!” Well, he didn’t. When the gift of tongues are used correctly, it edifies all. Not just one or two. Most groups teach that the gift of tongues shouldn’t happen at all. Which is a shame. Paul is instructing us on how to edify all in the congregation and he mentions hymn, lesson, revelation, a message in the gift of tongues with an interpretation. Most groups only do 2 out of the 5 activities that bring edification. Paul is giving us a book of Acts pattern and any group that doesn’t match the pattern is not in step with the Acts of the Apostles.

It is worth every effort to stay in step with the book of Acts pattern like never before!

v27 Instead of shutting down the gift of tongues or letting it be the main focus, here is the better thing to do.

v28 Since the gift of interpretation is a gift someone needs to use that gift. If no one is going to be used in the gift of interpretation then the message in tongues should not be given again. Let the speakers keep praying but not like a message to others.

v29 Paul has effectively illuminated the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues so he is drifting into the order of things. It seems as if they were speaking at the same time? This is just as confusing as all speaking in tongues. It will destroy.

Weigh what is said. I like that. Weighing truth is the biblical method of studying a subject out. If the prophet goes into falsehood, somebody better catch him quick.

v30 It could also be that one prophet would try and interrupt the other to give a revelation. Or one is giving a message in tongues and when one tries to interpret let the first speaker be silent until it is interpreted? The gift of tongues needs the gift of interpretation. Typically the interpreter should be silent until the message is complete but when the interpreter speaks the speaker of tongues needs to be silent.

v31 Paul is correcting their use of prophesying(tongues and interpretation or understood tongue). The purpose here is to learn and encourage. Do it clearly and without confusion on who the listener should listen to. Since the goal is to learn and encourage.

v32 Be patient and wait your turn. Keep your spirit in subjection until you have the right opportunity to speak.

v33 Confusion of prophesying can be just as confusing as a message in tongues without an interpreter. If they are all talking at once and interrupting each other.

Remember our purpose isn’t to confuse, because people will still be broken, snared, and taken. They need to understand.

v34 In the context of prophets and evaluating the spoken word Paul tells women to remain silent during this time. In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul teaches that women can pray and prophesy as long as they are under a covering of authority, a responsible party to help her learn the Word. A woman should not do the evaluating or interrupt the prophet to question him in order to learn. This instruction is given because at that time women were not educated in Scripture.

v35 If women desire to learn anything. Look at this, these past 3 chapters he is telling the people don't be ignorant. Women were the ignorant in those days because they were forbidden to learn. Paul isn’t putting women down. He has elevated them to be able to be educated. Let them learn. Could it be that Paul was trying to get attention of the men to show that the ones without an education are the ones desiring to learn?! Paul uses the same word here that he used in verse 5 that he desires that they speak in tongues but would rather they prophesy. But, like the women, when you do not know what you are doing you can cause confusion or dissension.

It is no doubt that the women in Corinthian had an issue of speaking during the Prophets time. Paul corrects them with, the Law teaches the man is the responsible party and if the woman steps out and questions another it could be seen as a disgraceful act against her husband, the priest of the home. Her approach to weighing the prophets or gleaning from them can cause confusion as well.

v36 Paul is shooting straight, you guys think you have it all together but you don’t. The Word is the authority and not you. Your thoughts on it are not always right and if you want to argue about this, think again.

37 If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

v37 This is our Master’s command here. The debate is over, get this assembly in order.

v38 Paul is trying to remove ignorance, 1 Corinthians 12:1 but if you want to go on being ignorant, that is an option but you will no longer be recognized. This is one way to deal with people who think they know what they are doing. Just stop them from doing it.

39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. 

v39 At the start he said earnestly desire spiritual gifts and especially to prophesy. Now he flips it around and says earnestly desire to prophesy, but don’t forbid speaking in tongues. It is a balance. A service without tongues is just as bad as a service that abuses tongues and the group that says, "no speaking in tongues".

If someone hears what they call unintelligible gibberish, instead of ridiculing, pray for the gift of interpretation. After all, it isn’t the language that is important here, it is the message and getting the message to the hearers.

v40 Just because I said don’t forbid speaking in tongues, doesn’t mean you can continue using the gift like you are currently using it. I’ve told you the proper way, do it.

 Shalom

C. Sullivan

Pastor