Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts,
but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1
The subject of 1 Corinthians 14, tongues, if properly considered, is simple to understand. I firmly believe that the below references show what the proper attitude toward the use of tongues should be. I believe they establish the context in which Paul is trying to instruct the Corinthians, babes in Christ who show their lack of understanding and have just about everything wrong.
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
The answer to all those questions is No; hence, tongues can have nothing to do with proof of salvation.
Throughout the whole discourse on gifts/tongues we are instructed they are of little value and that we ought to desire to prophesy (preach the word).
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Why waste time on a lessor-valued gift and not concentrate on the greater one?
1 Corinthians 14:9 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.
“Speak into the air” = Waste your breath.
1 Corinthians 14:11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
Speaking of a language spoken by men, not some angel talk. The English are known for thinking those not speaking English were beneath them, barbarians.
1 Corinthians 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
I will pray with “the understanding” means I will not pray in an unknown tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19Yet 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 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
If it is not right for a woman to speak out in the Church, she certainly should not be speaking in tongues in church?
The point is, I think many put too positive spin on the subject. Paul cannot deny the gift of tongues, he himself had it, but is trying to put it in proper perspective. It is the least of gifts and not for use in the Church, “greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues.” If you desire to serve God do so the best way: diligently study God’s word and preach it.
Views: 0
