This “A Closer Look” post comes as an answer to a question and by request. I trust and pray that the information contained here in will provide the answers and edification that is sought.
In chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul addresses the church for the purpose of teaching them about the issue of speaking in tongues. The first thing that is necessary in order to understand this chapter is to realize that the church in its infancy had gifts bestowed upon it that the church in the modern age no longer possesses.
We are well aware of the fact that the Apostles, Paul included, were given many gifts that ministers of the later church are not given. For instance, in Acts 28 we find Paul bitten by a viper, but experiences no damage from the bite or the poison. But what we often forget is the church at large was given gifts, through its members, that have now died off. I personally believe that these spiritual gifts were given to the early church that they might have more power to proclaim the truth when the church was just beginning. Not that the modern church does not have challenges in front of her, but the church in its youngest state faced tribulations that we cannot begin to fathom. Because of this, the Lord empowered them with great spiritual gifts to convert new believers.
Two of those gifts that were given to the members of the church and not just the apostles were speaking in tongues and prophesying. In order to truly understand what this chapter is teaching, we must first define and explain these terms in more depth.
Speaking in Tongues – In other words speaking in a language that could not be understood. Some claim this to be the Hebrew language which at that time had become all but a dead language and was understood by few. Regardless of the language, the point Paul is making is that no one could understand what was being said. This is not to call into question the sincerity of those that were speaking in tongues. It was quite likely that the spirit was upon them, and that they had a true desire for the Lord, but that desire served no purpose as no one else could understand them. As the scripture says, he edified only himself.
Prophesying – This being another of the gifts given to the young church. We often think of prophesying as being able to tell the future, but in this case that is not the main part of the gift. It does appear as though some had the ability to see future events, and this certainly was for the benefit of the church at times. However, the greater part of the gift was to be able to preach and pray. One that had the gift of prophesy, with the help of the Holy Spirit, would be able to explain all the prophesies of the Old Testament and their fulfillment without the aid of study or preparation. Clearly, this was a beautiful gift for the young church as they could teach how Christ had fulfilled all the prophesies that old Natural Israel had held onto for so long. Furthermore, those that had this gift also had a special gift for prayer as well. All of this being a great blessing for the young but growing church.
With those terms being defined, let us now look at some specific verses from this 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians.
1″Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
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.” (1 Corinthians 14:1-2)
Paul in the previous chapter had taught the church at Corinth how important love or charity was, and he begins this chapter by pressing the same issue. However, he also tells them that they should not despise other spiritual gifts especially the gift of prophesy. In verse two Paul makes it clear that he does not doubt that those speaking in tongues are doing so in the spirit, but he advises them against that gift as they can only speak to God and not to man. What Paul will emphasize throughout this chapter is what is done in the church, especially by a minister, should be done that the congregation might grow in knowledge.
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?” (1 Corinthians 14:6)
Paul is going to further prove his point by using himself as the example. If anyone had the ability to speak in tongues and offer the interpretation of the speaking it would have been one of the apostles. However, Paul asks the reader here, “if I come speaking in a language that you don’t understand, what benefit would it be for me to travel all that distance?” (paraphrase) He tells them that they will not gain anything from his preaching unless they can understand it, and that can come in many forms including prophesying. The ultimate point of any teaching is for the growth of doctrine in the believer. Paul does not specify between revelation, knowledge, or prophesy as long as the form can be understood and the hearer is edified.
8″For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”
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.” (1 Corinthians 14:8-9)
Here, by analogy, the Apostle Paul in my opinion makes one of the most important arguments of this chapter. Paul uses the analogy of a military group preparing for battle. Many nations, the Jews included, used a trumpet and other musical instruments to gather the troops, prepare them for battle, and to charge or retreat. Furthermore, Paul may have been making reference to the two silver trumpets that were given to Moses for Natural Israel that were to be used to gather the assembly and when needed prepare them for battle. However, if the one that was responsible for blowing the trumpet makes an unsure sound as he plays, how shall the army or the assembly know what to do next. Especially, if the sound for retreat comes out sounding much like the sound for charge. That would be a tremendous danger for the people in its hearing.
The same is true for the church of God. The gospel is represented by the trumpet in the analogy, and the minister is the blower of the trumpet. If the minister gives forth an unsure sound how shall the congregation be prepared to stand for the truth. Not only does this apply to the idea of speaking in tongues, but it also applies to the idea of not speaking the truth of the gospel in sound faith. One who is charged with speaking to the children of God should not be in a state of questioning if they believe all the doctrine associated with the true church. Furthermore, the man charged with being the undershepherd of a flock should not mix in the unsure sound of the ways of men with the always sure sound of the truth of the gospel.
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?”
17″For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.”
18″I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:”
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.” (1 Corinthians 14: 16-19)
In the 16th verse, Paul takes on another problem of speaking in tongues, in other words, speaking in a language that could not be understood by the community at large. Paul essentially says to the church at Corinth, what if you have one visiting from the community that has not been there before. If you start giving thanks for all the blessings of the Lord, but you are giving thanks in tongues, how shall that one that is visiting with you join in the thanksgiving. Many times the initial conversion of a believer is when he/she feels a connection with the thanksgiving that is offered by the congregation. If they can’t make that initial emotional connection how are they ever going to be converted to “the faith.”
Paul goes on to say that he thanks God that he could speak in tongues more than any of those at Corinth. Paul does not specify what he means by this, whether that be that he speaks Hebrew more fluently, or that he speaks more languages in general, regardless he has a greater gift for speaking in tongues. However, Paul tells the church there that he would rather speak five words in understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Paul is again highlighting the fact that what he is telling the church, applies to himself as well. Paul sets a great example for ministers in the fact that he never elevates himself above the members of the church. Whatever rules or conditions the congregation should follow the minister is charged with as well.
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?”
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:”
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.”
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.” (1 Corinthians 14: 23-26)
Paul wraps up the teaching of this chapter with these verses. Paul constructs a perfect argument, laying out all of his arguments and concluding them with the ultimate point.
In verse 23 Paul once again tells them of the dangers of speaking in tongues. Again to paraphrase, Paul says what if the church is all come together in one location. What if you are assembled together for the worshipping of God, and everyone decides to start speaking in tongues, with no one else being able to understand them. That would be bad enough for the congregation, but Paul says what if those that are unlearned or unbelievers come in as well. Not only would it not be edifying for them, but they would think that you are all insane. The church was already often thought to be a sect and spoke negatively of, the last thing they needed was to be thought to be insane as well.
Then he concludes it with the ultimate argument, “let all be done unto edifying.” Whatever happens in the church should be to the edification of those involved. He says some may come with prophesying, some with psalms, some with other gifts, but only exercise those that are going to edify those that are in the hearing. Those spiritual gifts died with the young church, but the lesson remains the same. Many churches over the years have tried to bring in many things to show the spirit of God is in the place. Some still claim to speak or pray in tongues, some claim to heal, some claim other spiritual gifts. But the question always comes back to this issue, does what is taking place edify the congregation. The same question can be asked to judge many other things that have been brought into the churches of the world. Things such as popular music, youth programs, and more motivational speaking type sermons. Each should be judged by whether or not it is edifying for the body of the church. When it comes back to it, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that the best way to edify the church is for a man of God to speak from the gospel. The preaching of the gospel can never be matched by the ways of men.
Blessings to All!
(I trust and hope that this answers the questions posed about this chapter of scripture. If others have requests or questions to be answered in “A Closer Look” or a “Tuesday Tea” posts please leave those in a comment and as the spirit leads I will try to address them.)
Thoughts and Meditations of Elder J.W. Cunningham 