Tongues and Prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1-19) *All verses in NKJV*
– This letter is addressed to the Corinthian Church and has mostly been a correction of what they have been doing in Paul’s absence. He has corrected them on allowing sexual immorality in the church, how they conduct themselves as Christians, how they take communion, and their overall attitude about what is important in the Christian faith.
– Ultimately, their attitude and focus had drifted away from what Paul had taught them. They had become prideful about their knowledge and gifts, and forgot about why they even had them at all.
– 1 Cor. 14:1, Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
– “Pursue love” was the subject of chapter 13. “Desire spiritual gifts” is discussed in chapter 12. “Especially prophecy” is chapter 14, and what we will breakdown tonight.
– Chapters 12, 13, and 14 all work together as Paul is trying to make his point to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts, why they are important, and how they should view them as believers.
– Chapter 12 highlights:
- – Manifestations of the Holy Spirit inside the believer include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in foreign tongues, interpretation of tongues… and are distributed to each individual as the Holy Spirit wills it.
- – There is diversity in the spiritual gifts and areas of ministry that each of us can have, but they are all from the same God, and same Holy Spirit, and meant to build up the church body.
- – None of these gifts are “more important” than another, and no one can say that another member of “the body” is not needed. Every part is necessary. Every gift is valuable.
- – 1 Cor. 12:28, God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (We all don’t get all the gifts, but we work together with each other in unity.)
- – 1 Cor. 12:31, 31 But earnestly desire the [i]best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. (The “best gifts” are the ones that benefit others and build up the church.)
– Chapter 13 highlights:
- – The “more excellent way” is to love one another. We can ALL do this! There is no glory in this, no admiration to gain, just the ability to bless others and honor God.
- – Prophecy, speaking in tongues, knowledge, faith, and even costly sacrifices in the name of the Lord are all meaningless if not done in brotherly love, and with the right heart condition.
- – Love is sacrificial and not boastful. Love rejoices in truth and endures in hope. Loving someone means it is not all about you, it is about them, and reflecting Christ.
- – 1 Cor. 13:8, Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
- – Paul puts the gifts, like prophecy and tongues, in their place by showing that action without a loving heart condition doesn’t mean much. Don’t be prideful about your gifts, but recognize they come only through the power of the Holy Spirit, and are meant to edify the church.
– 1 Cor. 14:1-19, Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without [b]significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a [c]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are [d]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [e]edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
- Putting the gifts in perspective.
– In Chapter 14, Paul singles out the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy from the longer list we read earlier. Why these two?
– The contrast of these two gifts helps to illustrate the overall point Paul is trying to make. Our passage is less about the individual gifts, and more about the needed heart condition and maturity to operate in the gifts appropriately.
Paul says:
– Tongues: For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him… He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…
– Prophecy: But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men… He who prophesies edifies the church…
– v5, I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
– Why greater? Because others also benefit. It says, “unless indeed he interprets”, because if people understood what was said in tongues also, it would be just as beneficial to the whole church.
– The focus is not necessarily the gifts in themselves, but the outcome they produce. The words spoken in a foreign or unknown language, no matter how valuable and anointed, only benefit those who can understand that language.
– Example: Being in Kenya at a worship service, I know they are worshipping, and that it is all holy and special, but because I can’t understand the words, I cannot share in the worship of God…
– Paul’s example: Verse 14:7, Even… [a] flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
– Example: Dr. Dre song “Still Dre”, 2001. YouTube video of two different people playing song.
- Classical pianist playing the song for high school music class. Beautiful music, but played in such a way that the kids didn’t hear the tune…. Like it was in a foreign language…
- High school student playing the keyboard during a HS assembly. The kids hear the beginning, it catches their ear, when the classic notes hit, the place explodes!
– Tongues can be like a beautiful song that no one understands the words to. It can lose its benefit.
- Check your attitude.
– 1 Corinthians has been a letter that has included a lot of correction. Paul is writing to people who are surrounded by a pagan culture and have incorporated some of those values into their church.
– The Corinthians had some attitude issues. Paul has corrected them on being arrogant, selfish, and immature. They have a tendency to be self-seeking.
– 1 Cor. 14:12, Even so you, since you are [d]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [e]edification of the church that you seek to excel.
– They are eager for the gifts, but their over-all attitude tells me its because it will make them appear more wise and spiritual. They want to increase their stature and look more holy.
– Paul wants them to desire all the gifts, but for the right reasons… to benefit the body.
– 1 Cor. 13:11, When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
– Paul says this because their attitudes and actions as new believers are still immature. They are grown enough to have it, but still need guidance on how to use it.
– Example: Like driving a car. You can reach the pedals and see over the wheel, but need more experience to operate it, or it can become a dangerous weapon in your hands…
– Everything we do should be out of love, and ultimately be to reflect Christ.
– Phil. 2:3-4, Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
– Gal. 5:13, For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
– Romans 15:1-2, We then who are strong ought to bear with the [a]scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to [b]edification.
– Pursue the gifts that build up and benefit the church, not just the ones that build you up.
- Remember what is most important.
– 1 Cor. 14:18-19, 18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
– The gospel being heard and understood is the most important thing! The message being preached is more important than the messenger or the delivery. No good if not understood!
– Like the expert piano player who overplayed the notes, no one knew the song. Verses the teenager who played it simple and true, and everyone in attendance understood it.
– That’s why complex preaching is sometimes hard for me to sit through. I’m always listening for the connection to Jesus and his salvation. I’m looking for the action step, not just information.
– Know your audience. Like Paul said in chapter 9, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more… I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
– So, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may… speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”
– Be mature in your pursuit and understanding of the spiritual gifts.
– Remember, the gospel being preached and understood is the most important thing of all.
– alter call –
– prayer –
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