Prophecy Preferred (Be a Builder) - Study 10/20/11
Prophecy Preferred (Be a Builder)
About 3 weeks ago, I was overwhelmed with so many issues going on around us that I decided to pray. I was praying in tongues and trying to make pancake for Jonathan who was with me in the kitchen. Jonathan (who will be 6 in December) turns to me and asked, “Daddy, what are you saying?” I replied and said that I was praying. Jonathan followed up and said, “You are not praying that is God”. At this point, I did not know what else to say to him or what to make of what he said. But anyway, there you have it. Out of the mouth of babes God has ordained praise.
Obviously Jonathan was reacting to a language he did not understand. Imagine more people in the scenario and you have a church gathering (where two or more are gathered in my name); and where nobody including the speaker understands what is being said. This is the situation Apostle Paul was addressing in 1 Corinthians 12- 14. In today’s study we will focus on chapter 14 where Paul specifically addressed the use of other tongues in public Christian gathering and the place of tongues in private individual living. God is not a God of disorder but of peace therefore everything we do must be done orderly including public worship by believers.
We must keep our focus on the main point and that is to love one another and build up the body of Christ. Paul said to the Corinthians, “1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” 1 Corinthians 14:1. Love is the goal, prophecy is preferred to tongues because everyone is encouraged and edified in a public gathering. But Paul also said do not forbid the speaking in other tongues because it has its own place publicly (when interpreted) and privately for individual edification. Find someone to love and encourage today. I need it. I just lost my dear father in-law. Please pray for us.
1 Corinthians 14 (NLT)
1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,[a] you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.
6 Dear brothers and sisters,[b] if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language,[c] how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. 8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? 9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.
10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. 11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. 12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.
13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit,[d] and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? 17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. 19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. 21 It is written in the Scriptures[e]: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,”[f] says the Lord.
22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. 23 Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. 24 But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. 25 As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”
+ 26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. 27 No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. 28 But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
29 Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.[g]
34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.[h]
36 Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? 37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. 38 But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.[i]
39 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul once again reminds us of the preeminence of love in exercising spiritual gifts. He had given the whole of chapter 13 to defining love and giving us practical examples. Love is patient and kind, not rude, not easily provoked etc. In fact NIV translates vs.1 as follows. “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy”. You pursue what is ahead of you and that could run away. This is the nature of love. We must pursue others with God’s love otherwise our selfish nature will chase them away. Let love be our highest goal (NLT). God and being with God is our highest goal and along the way, we are strengthened by the equipping and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2. The one who speaks in other tongues does not understand what he is saying otherwise it will just be speaking in a learned language. When you are alone, it is okay but if in public church gathering let there be interpretation. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,[a] you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious … A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally. There is a place for individual use and exercise of speaking in tongues. Yes, we are talking to God, even when we do not know what it is which Paul calls a mystery. Paul says I do it more than any of you i.e. private speaking of tongues. “18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. 19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language”.
3. Let’s keep in mind what was going on at the time of Paul’s writing. The church was being formed in its early baby stages. The New Testament as we have it now had not been compiled. They had the Old Testament but again it was not as we have it commonly available to us today. There was therefore need for prophecy in the Church when they gathered. Prophecy is a communication of the mind of God imparted to a believer by the Holy Spirit and it may be predictive or foretelling e.g. Agabus Acts 11:28; could also be an indication of the will of God in a given situation 14:29-30 and Acts 13:1-3. Paul is saying it is better than speaking in tongues (without interpretation) because it builds the Church.
4. Prophecy does three things. Listen to Paul. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church”. The Church can be strengthened, encouraged and comforted in the midst of many trials and persecutions the early Church encountered and endured.
5. Let’s keep in mind Paul’s question. “Do all speak in tongues?”(1 Cor. 12) and the answer is of course no. The fact that he said here, “5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy” does not invalidate the previous statement. Paul wanted to make sure the Corinthians still understood that tongues was still important (in the context of his tone for chapter 14) and especially to him. However, I wished you all spoke in tongues but I know you all do not speak in tongues because it is a gift given by the Holy Spirit as He chooses. In addition you all cannot speak at the same time so seek more to prophesy in your public gatherings so everyone can be built up. That is my take.
Paul spends the rest of the chapter making his point about the need to speak what benefits all when the saints gather together. If you have to speak in tongues, please interpret otherwise, please shut up and speak to God at home. Next week we will examine Paul’s comments toward the end vs.34-38 and specifically about “34 Women should be silent during the church meetings”. Is Paul really saying that? Be an encourager of the saints of God today. We are in this together and have been called into one body of Christ.
Lord, we thank you for the gift of the person of the Holy Spirit and for the gifts that are manifested through us believers in Christ. Help us to love one another and to desire to encourage, strengthen and comfort one another. Amen.
About 3 weeks ago, I was overwhelmed with so many issues going on around us that I decided to pray. I was praying in tongues and trying to make pancake for Jonathan who was with me in the kitchen. Jonathan (who will be 6 in December) turns to me and asked, “Daddy, what are you saying?” I replied and said that I was praying. Jonathan followed up and said, “You are not praying that is God”. At this point, I did not know what else to say to him or what to make of what he said. But anyway, there you have it. Out of the mouth of babes God has ordained praise.
Obviously Jonathan was reacting to a language he did not understand. Imagine more people in the scenario and you have a church gathering (where two or more are gathered in my name); and where nobody including the speaker understands what is being said. This is the situation Apostle Paul was addressing in 1 Corinthians 12- 14. In today’s study we will focus on chapter 14 where Paul specifically addressed the use of other tongues in public Christian gathering and the place of tongues in private individual living. God is not a God of disorder but of peace therefore everything we do must be done orderly including public worship by believers.
We must keep our focus on the main point and that is to love one another and build up the body of Christ. Paul said to the Corinthians, “1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” 1 Corinthians 14:1. Love is the goal, prophecy is preferred to tongues because everyone is encouraged and edified in a public gathering. But Paul also said do not forbid the speaking in other tongues because it has its own place publicly (when interpreted) and privately for individual edification. Find someone to love and encourage today. I need it. I just lost my dear father in-law. Please pray for us.
1 Corinthians 14 (NLT)
1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,[a] you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.
6 Dear brothers and sisters,[b] if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language,[c] how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. 8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? 9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.
10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. 11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. 12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.
13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit,[d] and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? 17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. 19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. 21 It is written in the Scriptures[e]: “I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,”[f] says the Lord.
22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. 23 Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. 24 But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. 25 As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”
+ 26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. 27 No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. 28 But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
29 Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.[g]
34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.[h]
36 Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? 37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. 38 But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.[i]
39 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul once again reminds us of the preeminence of love in exercising spiritual gifts. He had given the whole of chapter 13 to defining love and giving us practical examples. Love is patient and kind, not rude, not easily provoked etc. In fact NIV translates vs.1 as follows. “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy”. You pursue what is ahead of you and that could run away. This is the nature of love. We must pursue others with God’s love otherwise our selfish nature will chase them away. Let love be our highest goal (NLT). God and being with God is our highest goal and along the way, we are strengthened by the equipping and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2. The one who speaks in other tongues does not understand what he is saying otherwise it will just be speaking in a learned language. When you are alone, it is okay but if in public church gathering let there be interpretation. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,[a] you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious … A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally. There is a place for individual use and exercise of speaking in tongues. Yes, we are talking to God, even when we do not know what it is which Paul calls a mystery. Paul says I do it more than any of you i.e. private speaking of tongues. “18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. 19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language”.
3. Let’s keep in mind what was going on at the time of Paul’s writing. The church was being formed in its early baby stages. The New Testament as we have it now had not been compiled. They had the Old Testament but again it was not as we have it commonly available to us today. There was therefore need for prophecy in the Church when they gathered. Prophecy is a communication of the mind of God imparted to a believer by the Holy Spirit and it may be predictive or foretelling e.g. Agabus Acts 11:28; could also be an indication of the will of God in a given situation 14:29-30 and Acts 13:1-3. Paul is saying it is better than speaking in tongues (without interpretation) because it builds the Church.
4. Prophecy does three things. Listen to Paul. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church”. The Church can be strengthened, encouraged and comforted in the midst of many trials and persecutions the early Church encountered and endured.
5. Let’s keep in mind Paul’s question. “Do all speak in tongues?”(1 Cor. 12) and the answer is of course no. The fact that he said here, “5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy” does not invalidate the previous statement. Paul wanted to make sure the Corinthians still understood that tongues was still important (in the context of his tone for chapter 14) and especially to him. However, I wished you all spoke in tongues but I know you all do not speak in tongues because it is a gift given by the Holy Spirit as He chooses. In addition you all cannot speak at the same time so seek more to prophesy in your public gatherings so everyone can be built up. That is my take.
Paul spends the rest of the chapter making his point about the need to speak what benefits all when the saints gather together. If you have to speak in tongues, please interpret otherwise, please shut up and speak to God at home. Next week we will examine Paul’s comments toward the end vs.34-38 and specifically about “34 Women should be silent during the church meetings”. Is Paul really saying that? Be an encourager of the saints of God today. We are in this together and have been called into one body of Christ.
Lord, we thank you for the gift of the person of the Holy Spirit and for the gifts that are manifested through us believers in Christ. Help us to love one another and to desire to encourage, strengthen and comfort one another. Amen.
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