Prophecy and Tongues
After highlighting the supreme importance of love (chapter...
After highlighting the supreme importance of love (chapter 13), Paul discusses spiritual gifts again. He defines their value by how much they help others, which reflects love (chapter 13). With this in mind, Paul compares the overvalued gift of speaking in tongues with the more helpful gift of prophecy.
1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
The issue with speaking in tongues is that...
The issue with speaking in tongues is that listeners cannot easily understand the message. However, the gift of prophecy is clear and helpful. It is a message from God that strengthens, encourages, and comforts those who hear it.
2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. 4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
A message must be clear to communicate well.
A message must be clear to communicate well.
7Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct? 8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner† to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
It is better to worship with both spirit...
It is better to worship with both spirit and understandable words. Public worship should bless God and others. Speaking in tongues without interpretation glorifies God and helps the speaker (14:4), but it does not help others present.
say “Amen” to your thanksgiving: Amen was the traditional response to a prayer.
It is better to worship with both spirit and understandable words. Public worship should bless God and others. Speaking in tongues without interpretation glorifies God and helps the speaker (14:4), but it does not help others present.
say “Amen” to your thanksgiving: Amen was the traditional response to a prayer.
15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit,† how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
Paul emphasized the personal benefit of speaking in...
Paul emphasized the personal benefit of speaking in tongues, but in a church meeting, it should benefit others, not just the speaker.
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Paul used this quotation from Isaiah 28:11–12 to...
Paul used this quotation from Isaiah 28:11–12 to show that speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers, not believers. However, in 1 Corinthians 14:23–25, Paul argues that unbelievers are more likely to be convinced by prophecy than by speaking in tongues. He emphasizes that, in public worship, prophecy is more useful than speaking in tongues.
21It is written in the Law:
“By strange tongues and foreign lipsI will speak to this people,but even then they will not listen to Me,says the Lord.”†22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, 25and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
Orderly Worship
Paul provides clear instructions for using spiritual gifts...
Paul provides clear instructions for using spiritual gifts in the church. He stresses the importance of expressing them in an orderly manner. In the early Christian community, church meetings were not led by professional pastors or priests. Instead, everyone shared what God had given them to strengthen the church.
26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
Paul advises a church eager for the gift...
Paul advises a church eager for the gift of tongues to limit its public use. He suggests no more than two or three people should speak, one at a time, and only if someone can interpret the message.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
Public prophecy should be shared in an orderly...
Public prophecy should be shared in an orderly manner, guided by the Spirit, so everyone benefits. Others should evaluate what is said to determine if it is truly a message from God (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21). Those with a prophecy should take turns. Although prophecy is a divinely given message, the speaker still controls it.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. 31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.†
This part of the discussion on using spiritual...
This part of the discussion on using spiritual gifts shows a view on women's roles similar to that of the Pastoral Letters (see 1 Timothy 2:11–15).
Paul advises women to be quiet and respectful in church meetings. We should understand this instruction considering 1 Corinthians 11:5, which clearly implies that women can pray and prophesy in public.
as the law says: This possibly refers to Genesis 3:16.
This part of the discussion on using spiritual gifts shows a view on women's roles similar to that of the Pastoral Letters (see 1 Timothy 2:11–15).
Paul advises women to be quiet and respectful in church meetings. We should understand this instruction considering 1 Corinthians 11:5, which clearly implies that women can pray and prophesy in public.
as the law says: This possibly refers to Genesis 3:16.
34Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.†
As an apostle, Paul wanted the Corinthians to...
As an apostle, Paul wanted the Corinthians to treat his words as commands from the Lord.
What I am writing you: This likely refers to all his teachings, especially about spiritual gifts.
As an apostle, Paul wanted the Corinthians to treat his words as commands from the Lord.
What I am writing you: This likely refers to all his teachings, especially about spiritual gifts.
36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. 38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.†
Paul summarizes his discussion on spiritual gifts in...
Paul summarizes his discussion on spiritual gifts in chapters 12 to 14.
39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.