Hello 1st Corinthian-ers!
I promised that I would post a guide (for lack of a better word) on the two main topics covered in 1st Corinthians 14: The gifts of tongues and prophecy. So, here's what I did. I read two different Bible commentaries and partnered the thoughts of the authors up with Scripture to be sure that it was consistent. I have listed several comments below for you on both tongues and prophecy. Hopefully this will assist you in your study of the 40 verses in 1st Corinthians 14 this week.
I used the following commentaries:
1. Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Corinthians by Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
2. The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur
What is Paul saying in this text regarding speaking in tongues?
In verse 2, Paul says: "For anyone who speaks to God in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit" (NIV).
Pratt says the following in reference to this verse: "The most that can be said of [people who speak in tongues] is that they utter mysteries with their spirit[s]. The mysteries that tongue-speakers utter are incomprehensible to the human mind, or at least they remain incomprehensible when delivered in this manner (1 Peter 1:10-12). If no one interprets, the church cannot be edified" (Holman NT Commentary, 244).
Paul continues on in verses 4-25 to touch on the importance of speaking in tongues in the proper place with the proper perspective. His basic consensus is that spiritual gifts should be used to edify others. That is Paul's purpose in addressing speaking in tongues here in this chapter. Clearly Paul sees a problem here regarding the Corinthians' view of speaking in tongues. They are speaking in tongues in public, which Paul disagrees with UNLESS there is someone there to interpret. You will see evidence for this in the following Scripture:
"For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say." (1 Cor. 14:13)
"But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." (1 Cor. 14:19)
Furthermore, Paul is passionate about the church being edified. The following Scriptures support this idea:
"Everything must be done so that the church may be built up." (1 Cor. 14:26b)
"Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church." (1 Cor. 14:4)
" ... so that the church may be edified." (1 Cor. 14:5b)
Edify in this context means to build up, to establish. Paul is passionate about the church being built up and established. He desires the Corinthians to use their gifts - the gifts bestowed upon them by God Himself and empowered by the Holy Spirit - to build up and establish the church.
And not only to edify the church, but to bring unbelievers to Christ:
"So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or inquirer comes while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming "God is really among you!" (1 Corinthians 14:23-25)
Is this making more sense? Paul believes that if a believer desires to use tongues as a form of worship, it needs to be done in the privacy of their home unless there is an interpreter. If this is done in public, it appears as gibberish to others and there is no way for anyone to be edified by this type of "private" worship.
What is Paul saying in this text regarding prophecy?
John MacArthur explains the meaning of prophecy in a very clear way:
"The meaning is simply that of 'speaking forth,' or 'proclaiming publicly' to which the connotation of prediction was added sometime in the Middle Ages. Since the completion of Scripture, prophecy has not been a means of new revelation, but is limited to proclaiming what has already been revealed in the written Word. Even the biblical prophets were preachers, proclaimers of God's truth, both by revelation and reiteration. Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel spent lifetimes proclaiming God's Word. Only a comparatively small amount of what they preached is recorded in the Bible as God's direct revelation. They must have continually repeated and reemphasized those truths, as preachers today repeat, explain, and reemphasize the Word of God in Scripture" (MacArthur Bible Commentary, 1593).
So today, we can interpret the gift of prophecy as "genuine prophecy or preaching of the truth" (MacArthur Bible Commentary, 1600).
Let's look at a few verses in this passage regarding prophecy:
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort." (1 Cor. 14:1, 3)
Here is the thing: We need to be strengthened, encouraged and comforted through the Word of God. Are you listening? We need to be taught from the WORD OF GOD. And there are people in our churches, in our lives, who have been gifted with the gift of prophecy -- Who have been gifted with the ability to understand, interpret and teach the Word of God. Personally, I do not believe that modern day prophecy includes predictions. I believe that we have all we need today in the Word of God and through the Holy Spirit.
The reason that Paul so desires that the Corinthians practice the gift of prophecy is because I believe he recognizes their need for instruction. The same instruction that you and I need today. Instruction from the Word of God alone.
I believe that Paul also desires that the Corinthians place a high value on prophecy because only through their boldness in proclaiming their faith in Jesus, will others come to know Him. We may not all have the gift of prophecy - We may not all be gifted with understanding, interpreting and teaching the Word of God, BUT .... We all should be filled with a deep desire to share our faith in Jesus with others. That is part of our responsibility (and privilege) as believers. Amen?
I hope this was helpful. Please email me at hintsofhope@gmail.com with any questions on this text.
Blessings to you as you study the Word so faithfully!
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