1 Corinthians 14:1-25
Q.1. On what premise did Paul begin this chapter? What is the difference between prophecy and tongues? What makes prophecy a greater gift? Why? – (1 Cor.14:1-5)
Paul set out clearly what he wanted to convey in this chapter -Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy (1 Cor.14:1). He only contrasted prophecy and tongues in this passage. He urged us to pursue love before all else. He also placed the value of prophecy above that of tongues. Any interpretation that reverses that order is false. The reason he gave is plain, since the – one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation (1 Cor.14:3). This agrees with the reason why God gave spiritual gifts to the believers – so that the church may receive edifying (1 Cor.14:5). Comment must be made about the phenomenon of ‘tongue speaking’, that causes much confusion: (i) Tongue speaking recorded in the Acts was clearly known languages and not some kind of repetitious ‘babble’ that is not a language (c.f. Acts 2:1-11). (ii) Tongue speaking recorded later in Acts, was the same as what they had experienced at Pentecost (Acts 11:15-16). (iii) The idea that tongues is an angelic language ‘that no one understands’ defies the fact that angels only ever spoke in a real language known by the hearer (Acts 12:7-8; 27:23-24). It is obvious that the description of speaking in tongues means speaking in other known languages. To endorse speaking in a ‘non-language’ is not Biblically supportable.
Q.2. Under what circumstances may tongues be beneficial? How did Paul support this claim? To whom is a language profitable? What was the point he was making? – (1 Cor.14:6-12)
Paul argued that tongue speaking does not benefit -… unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching (1 Cor.14:6). That placed a serious restriction upon the use of tongues in his day. He supported this with the example of the distinctive notes that turn noise into music (1 Cor.14:7-8). A tongue or language is only beneficial to those who understand that language. Otherwise it will be without value, and sound foreign (1 Cor.14:9-11). The whole point he wanted to drive home was – … since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound in gifts that edify the church (1 Cor.14:12). Our aim must be to build up others.
Q.3. What was Paul’s first conclusion about the use of gifts? How are we to understand Paul’s claim about his own tongue speaking? Why should tongue speaking be limited in the church? – (1 Cor.14:13-19)
Paul did not advocate speaking or praying in tongues. He concluded – … I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also (1 Cor.14:15). The exercising of our gifts should always be done in order to bless each other. As mentioned under Q.1. Paul, as a missionary to the Gentiles, could rightly claim – I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all (1 Cor.14:18). He could make himself understandable to many language groups. What the Corinthians were doing was both selfish and confusing, so Paul added this comparison – however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Cor.14:19). Here he was only speaking comparatively. He would often speak for hours on end (c.f. Acts 20:7-11).
Q.4. Was the speaking in tongues contentious in the church at Corinth? To whom was the sign of tongues given? Did Paul accept the validity of everyone speaking in tongues? How would the church be edified? – (1 Cor.14:20-25)
There is little doubt that the tongue speaking at Corinth coincided with the modern-day phenomenon. Paul urged them to grow up in exercising spiritual gifts (1 Cor.14:20). He reminded them to whom the sign of tongues was given … to unbelieving Israel Cor.14:21 c.f. Isa.28:11-12). It was a proof to unbelieving Israel that what the prophets had prophesied concerning the removal of the nation from the Promised Land, had been true – So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe (1 Cor.14:22). Paul totally disapproved of the notion that all would exercise the same spiritual gift of tongues (1 Cor.12:30; 14:23). By contrast, prophecy is a powerful tool used by God – 24 if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you (1 Cor.14:24-25). This is because the message is understandable, and able to be used by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. However, Although Paul was stating that the benefit of prophecy was greater than that of tongues, he was not suggesting that everyone should have the gift of prophecy (c.f. 1 Cor.12:29).