1 Corinthians 14
1Co 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that
ye may prophesy.
Prophesy serves those present who would benefit from hearing the word. If all of
us would come together and just start worshipping in tongues, that would be
great for us, but those present that need to hear a message of comfort,
salvation or exhortation would be ignored. The same would be true if we all came
together and just sang praise choruses without any preaching, prophecy or
exhortation.
If we all went to the altar and just prayed in our own language and didn't give
the word to those who needed to hear it, it would be the same thing.
Worship and praise is great but the word needs to be brought forth just in case
there is someone who can't pray for some reason and needs exhortation from the
word of God. There is no substitute for the giving forth of the word.
Singing is great, praying both with tongues and in our own language is great,
testifying is great but hearing either prophesy or preaching by those anointed
to preach the word should never be neglected.
1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries.
One of the mysteries of speaking in tongues is that we can pray in the spirit.
Sometimes we just don't know what to pray for but the spirit of God knows.
Speaking in tongues is a way to pray to God. It edifies the one doing the
praying. It does very little for the person who may be listening and is not
praying themselves. So it is between a person and God. It is wonderful but in
public when its time for the word to be brought forth, the one speaking in
tongues must pray quietly or wait until the preaching is done and it is time to
pray. It is not wrong to pray in tongues if every one is praying together and it
is time to pray. Just because you hear someone speaking in tongues out loud does
not mean they are in the wrong. The only time when they should remain quiet is
when it is time for the word to be preached or taught and we must all stop our
singing, worship, praise etc so that the word can be heard by those that need
it.
1Co 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.
1Co 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye
prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh, with
tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
I don't believe that Paul means that one person is greater than the other
because that would contradict other scriptures. I believe he meant that in
public assemblies where the word needs to be given to all present, it is better
to prophesy than to speak with tongues out loud. The greater need is to
prophesy. He is not downplaying speaking in tongues. How can one downplay any
gift of God? He is just instructing us to keep silent when the word is brought
forth so that those that need the word can be edified.
1Co 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall
I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge,
or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
1Co 14:7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp,
except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is
piped or harped?
Speaking in tongues is for our own edification and is between us and God unless
there is one who will interpret what we are speaking. If we are not giving a
message for all to hear to be interpreted, then we must lower our voice and
speak only to God when in a public assembly and the word is being preached. We
should never interrupt someone preaching the word to pray out loud in tongues or
in our own language. The same would be true if we interrupted the preaching or
prophesying with singing, clapping, or any form of worship. Apparently the
Corinthians may have thought since they could speak with tongues they could do
it all the time in public hindering the preaching of the word.
1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare
himself to the battle?
1Co 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be
understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the
air.
If one got up and spoke in Latin, Spanish or by praying in the spirit when it
was time for the word to be preached, it would not do the hearers any good. We
have to speak in the language the hearers spoke and understood in order to edify
them.
1Co 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and
none of them is without signification.
1Co 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto
him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto
me.
1Co 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek
that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
When we remember the 13th chapter of Corinthians on love, we can see why it was
so important to include it in the book of Corinthians. If we are made perfect in
love, our desire would not just be our own edification but we would desire for
unbelievers to receive the word and also for those that need comfort,
exhortation and help to receive edification. We never should use the gifts of
the spirit to puff ourselves up and bring attention or ourselves in any way. The
glory belongs to God and the gifts are given to share the gospel with others and
edify others. Never are they given to glorify a certain person or exalt one
above another. If I lay hands on a sick person and they are healed, that doesn't
make me any more holy than someone who does not. We have nothing that wasn't
given from God and that isn't available to all who seek Him.
1Co 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he
may interpret.
If we do give a public utterance in tongues, we should pray that we interpret it
so that the hearers can be edified.
This clarifies a little confusion. If it was wrong to pray in tongues in public
then Paul wouldn't have said this. I've heard people say that it is wrong to
ever speak in tongues in church and even discredited the person to did the
speaking. Paul was not saying that. If one gives forth an utterance in tongues
and no one interprets it, then we must keep silent and just speak quietly to
God. There is no way we can know ahead of time that there is no interpreter. So
if one just speaks and there is no one to interpret, that doesn't mean he is out
of God's will or out of order. If he continues to speak in tongues when it is
clear that there is no interpreter, then we can say he or she may be out of
order but not if just one utterance is given.
However, let us remember the 13th chapter and walk in love not accusation. Give
allowances for mistakes especially for those who have not yet understood the
correct order that Paul is bringing forth to us. It doesn't mean a person is,
"of the devil," if they make a mistake in this area. Walk in love.
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my
understanding is unfruitful.
1Co 14:15 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.
1Co 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that
occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he
understandeth not what thou sayest?
1Co 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Remember the word, "For thou verily givest thanks well." Tongues are not wrong
and not a lesser gift. Some avoid it all together because they misunderstand
Paul's message. He never says, not to speak with tongues. He only says that in
public assemblies, we must be aware of others present and seek that they may be
edified.
1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand
words in an unknown tongue.
1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children, but in understanding be men.
If we walked in love these things would have a way of working out.
1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips
will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith
the Lord.
1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to
them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not,
but for them which believe.
1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and
all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or
one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling
down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
1Co 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you
hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
This is the main purpose of public assemblies. To help, to edify, to comfort, or
bring forth the word, to strengthen to bless others.
Love, Love, love is the key. Do all in love and for the glory of God. Don't seek
just to be heard, just to glorify self or just to entertain. Seek for the good
of others and for the glory of God. Will what I'm about to say help someone else
or is it going to puff up myself?
1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the
most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church;
and let him speak to himself, and to God.
He has to speak first before it can be known if there is an interpreter. Some
take this to mean that no one ever should speak in tongues in church.
Interpreters can be the one speaking in tongues or someone else. A person has to
be yielded to the Holy Spirit at that particular time in order to interpret
tongues. If there is no interpreter present, it could just mean that no one
present has been spiritually prepared to interpret. To interpret tongues, I
believe one has to be what we use to call, "Prayed up." He has to be spiritually
in tune with what God wants at the time.
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Maintain order so that others can be edified. God does not cause confusion. In
saying that, we must be compassionate toward the newbie that may have not
learned to yield to the spirit in a way that edifies others. If we are quick to
pounce on those that make mistakes, we may discourage them from ever being used
by the Holy Spirit.
Again we are reminded of the 13th chapter on love.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first
hold his peace.
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may
be comforted.
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Although the gifts are perfect, we are not perfect. We still have control over
how and when they are used. The Holy Spirit does not take over and dominate our
will.
We can hold back or we can yield to the spirit.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.
1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not
permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as
also saith the law.
1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at
home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
This has caused a lot of controversy about whether a woman can preach or
prophesy. First of all let us consider other verses.
Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit
upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour
out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams:
Act 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came
unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was
was one of the seven; and abode with him.
Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
Why would God give women gifts of the spirit and then tell them not to use them?
So Paul must be referring to something else.
Perhaps they had a habit of interrupting the men and asking questions in the
middle of the service thereby causing confusion and disorder. Perhaps they
wanted to take over the authority and were not allowing the men to use the
authority given to them. We could suppose all kinds of things and we have to
consider other verses. We know that women prophesied in the bible. Also Anna was
a prophetess. God did use women.
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the
man, but to be in silence.
A woman should not presume to take authority over a man called of God to have
authority. It couldn't be wrong for a woman to teach a Sunday School class if
there were no qualified men present to teach. She may be the appointed teacher
in a given situation and there may be a qualified male present but that person
was not the appointed teacher, so I can't see where it would be wrong for her to
teach unless she assumed that position herself and took authority that wasn't
given to her or that was originally given to a man.
I personally prefer a man for the church leadership. However if we lived in a
remote place and there were no saved men called of God, and there was only a
woman who was saved and had a burden for the lost, how can we say that God
wouldn't want the gospel to be preached because there were no qualified men who
would do it?
We can't just use Paul's words to forbid women to be used of God. Its obvious to
me that women were to be in subjection and not assume authority that God doesn't
give them, but there are many times when God uses women. Godly women though
usually are not the type to desire to be domineering over men.
1Co 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the
Lord.
1Co 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak
with tongues.
"Forbid not to speak with tongues" is to be remembered for some have used this
same chapter to do that very thing.
We must get away from the idea that tongues are strange and weird. It is a sign
from God that He is among us, it is a sign that the gospel is for every tongue,
tribe and nation, it is proof of the supernatural power of God and to speak by
the spirit in this manner is beautiful.
The first time I spoke in tongues was on the way home from church in the back
seat of my dad's car. He was driving. My step mother was beside him. I was in
the back seat just thinking about God. No one was praying or even paying any
attention to me. All the sudden I started saying, "Praise the Lord," quietly. I
felt something take over my tongue and I began to speak in a beautiful language
that I had never heard before. I could tell it was a language. The enunciation
was perfect.
I never can deny the existence of God after that. That was proof to me that God
exists, the bible is true and Jesus Christ is the way of salvation just like the
bible teaches. I have proof every time I speak in another tongue.
1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
All must be done to edify the church, save the lost and bring glory to Jesus
Christ. Love is the key.