CHAPTER 14

1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Again, may I emphasize the first portion of this verse: "Follow after LOVE!"
The treatise in the following verses MUST be preceeded by this statement.

Of course, a truly saved Christian is going to "desire spiritual gifts."
Each Christian wants to be USED by the Lord.
Therefore, we earnestly seek GROWTH in our spiritual being so that we might be useful:
in the home, the church, and the community.

Now the third part of that verse ("rather that ye may prophesy") is antithetical to
the following statements concerning an "unknown" tongue.

To prophesy can mean several things.
It is to speak concerning a revelation given by God's Holy Spirit.
It can mean an exhortation, preaching what God has said, or even a revelation concerning
future events.

Keep in mind, to pursue LOVE is to seek the BEST for others!

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.

Let's go back for a moment to where this all started.
Acts 2:1-4

When God's Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples at that time,
it was exemplified with "a mighty wind", and "tongues of fire"
hovering over them.
THEN, the Bible says they all began to speak "with OTHER tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Take note that the word tongue is derived from the Greek glossa.
That term means simply LANGUAGE.

Keep in mind, there were MANY people gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost.
And, they did NOT all speak the same language!!

The Bible is very plain about saying the disciples began to speak in other LANGUAGES, "as
the Spirit gave them utterance."
In other words, they might not have known that language before, but God was giving
them the GIFT of that language so that others could UNDERSTAND!

Now, what was happening in Corinth?
People were speaking in UNKNOWN tongues.
Couldn't be interpreted, couldn't be understood.

Now God may move by His Spirit upon someone at home in prayer to speak that way.
He/she might speak of great and wonderful "mysteries."
(I don't know that for certain, because it's never happened to me.)

And, even if a Christian is praying in the Spirit and speaks an unknown tongue,
he/she may not have LEARNED anything because he/she was speaking "in the Spirit" to God.
(See 1Cor. 14:14)

But, in church, what USE does it have?
It does not edify the body of Christ, and
it will not lead lost sinners to Christ for salvation!

Also, may I point out that the word "unknown" is in italics in the KJV in EVERY place it appears in conjunction with tongues.
That means that the word does NOT appear in the original manuscripts.
It was INSERTED.
I firmly believe that ALL appearances of the word tongues refers to a known language!

Now let's explore Paul's antithetical argument here.
It is better (in love) to speak in prophecy than with an unknown tongue!

3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Prophecy is spoken clearly, distinctly and concerns a revelation from God that is useful to others.
That revelation may come as God's Spirit helps us apply what we have learned in God's Word
to a specific or general situation.

When a Christian speaks the truths of God's Bible, he/she is speaking prophetically.
EVEN, if he/she is using a language different from the one he/she normally uses.

When I was preaching in the Philippines, often I would use some of their language.
The purpose was to make God's Word more meaningful to them.
It can be used that way to both edify the church and lead others to know Jesus.

If one truly loves Jesus, he/she will seek to edify the church and bring others to know Jesus.
He/she will NOT speak to draw attention to self!

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.

It would be wonderful if we ALL could speak other languages.
But it is more profitable to speak clearly the Word of Truth!

Gifts are not evaluated by how SHINEY they seem, but they are evaluated by
how USEFUL they can be!

If one speaks to a group comprised of several different languages, and speaks in ONE language,
there MUST be an interpretation!
Now, the speaker may know how to interpret for the others.
And, another person may know how to interpret for the benefit of all. (See 1Cor. 14:27)

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?

If Paul came to Corinth and spoke in a language they did not understand,
how could he have brought them to know Christ?
Paul was fluent in several languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Greek and maybe more.

But the way to "profit" them was to speak clearly so that they could understand.
He had to reveal what he wanted to impart to them by making it intelligible.
And, this he did in order to explain the truths of God's Word.

7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
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.

There are many instances in the Old Testament where the trumpet was used to sound alarm, or as a call to battle.
For instance see Ezek. 33:3.

Now if the trumpet made an "uncertain" sound, how would one know what to do?
Thus, Paul relegates speaking in a non-understandable language to a trumpet being blown ineptly.
If, I being a country boy from America, heard a French person speaking the Gospel, how would I know
to turn my life over to Jesus?
It would be VAIN to me.

In 1982, my wife & I attended many classes in international signing.
We learned it so that we could share the Gospel of Jesus with deaf people.
God graciously used that ability we learned on several occasions.
However, now - after almost 25 years of no practice - I find it very difficult to communicate with the deaf.
I'm quite sure if I tried today to communicate the Gospel to a deaf person I would fail miserably.
And, I would be as an "uncertain sound" to them.

It has been my privilege to lead others to Christ, and to educate others in Christian living through
the use of several languages: Tagalog, Illongo, French, Spanish, and German.
But ALWAYS with an interpreter!

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
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.

The word "voices" is translated from the Greek phone (fo-nay').
It literally means sound.
Here, in the context of the Scripture it means sound of a language.
There are indeed MANY languages on earth.
And, EACH of them is significant to those who have learned them.

Have you ever tried to understand someone who could NOT speak your language, and
you could not speak theirs?
In such a case, we each sound barbaric to the other!

This was what was happening in Corinth.
People using languages (in the church) that others didn't comprehend.
What edification or education can that procure?

12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

If a Christian is truly given to Christ, he/she will certainly want to GROW in ability FOR Christ.
So, yes -- be "zealous" of spiritual gifts.
Seek to learn, and seek to use FOR Christ.

And, be sure to seek to EDIFY the church!

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What 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.

Suppose Paul came to your church and prayed aloud in Hebrew.
He would be earnestly praying, but would YOU receive anything from it?

So, in the church, it is better to pray and sing so that ALL may understand!

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.

In the same vein, if someone came to your church pronouncing a blessing in a language you didn't
understand, could you genuinely say "Amen?"
Keep in mind, Amen means trusted, or of a truth.

Even if a person came thanking God in testimony, and used another language,
would your heart be glad?
Not if you couldn't understand what that person was saying.

So, then - to speak in a language others do not understand is not profitable to the church.

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.

Probably Paul spoke in languages more than all of those in the church at Corinth
because he knew more languages than them.

But note what he says about ABILITY.
It is not as desirable as "understanding!"

Paul says it is better to speak FIVE words that impart true understanding than to speak
TEN THOUSAND words that are NOT understood!!!

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

GROW UP!!
Don't be like little children trying to astonish others with their education or ability!

Be an ADULT!!
Try to edify and educate the body of Christ!
THIS exemplifies true love!

21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
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?

The word "law" here is derived from the Greek nomos.
In the New Testament, it sometimes refers to the law explicitly.
And, sometimes it refers to the Old Testament revelation as a whole.

For instance, in John 10:34, Jesus uses the word law, but is referring to Ps. 82:6.

And, in John 15:25, Jesus uses the word law, but is referring to Ps. 69:4.

Therefore, here in vs 21, Paul is referring to the revelation of the Old Testament as a whole
and not to the law specifically.
That's because he is referring to Is. 28:11.

Therefore, Paul says tongues are a SIGN.
They are not a sign to believers, but to non-believers.
The use of tongues then has no application for believers, and is not necessarily profitable to the church.

But speaking in other languages IS profitiable to a person who does not believe.
Because one may use the non-believers language to tell him/her the Gospel of Jesus!

Now, sometimes prophesying can be used to lead others to Christ.
But mainly "prophesying" is profitable to believers, and not necessarily profitable to non-believers.
Speaking the word of God clearly with understanding in the church is edification and education to the church.

Now, suppose the people are gathered in the church, and everybody is speaking in other languages.
Then, a non-believer comes in seeking to know more about Jesus.
What they HEAR makes them think everyone in the church is just CRAZY!

BUT....

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.

But if all manner of speaking is clear and distinct so that all my understand;
THEN a non-believer comes into the church;
that non-believer will hear the TRUTH!
God's truth CONVICTS!!

And God's truth, coupled with God's Holy Spirit brings people to SURRENDER to Jesus as Lord!

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.

Paul is actually asking, "Is THIS the kind of DISORDER you have in church?"
EVERYONE has something, and NO ONE waits on the other to finish?

Sometimes, we are a little TOO programmatic in church.
I agree with that.
We should let God do what God will do.

However, there must be some ORDER to our worship.
It is impossible to put a TIME LIMIT on God working in a worship service.
But there should certainly be some emphasis on time.

In most churches, few are thawed and many are frozen!
It's really hard to get frozen people to stay in a warm atmosphere very long!
And, a frozen church won't keep a spiritually warm person very long either.

(((I remember an old joke that sort of applies here.
A man came into the worship service just before the preacher began the message.
During the message, the man got involved and said, "AMEN! Brother!"
A few minutes later, he did it again.
Then, a few minutes later, he stood and said, "PRAISE THE LORD!"
Just then, an elder of the church sat down next to him.
The elder said, "You're gonna hafta hold it down. We don't do that kinda stuff here."
The visiting man said, "But brother, I have the Spirit!"
The elder looked sternly at him and said, "Well, ya didn't get Him HERE!")))

YES! We need ORDER in our worship services.
YES! We also need spontaneity!

Above all we should be diligent to ensure all receive something for edification!

27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

LIMITS!
REALLY?
Should we LIMIT what is done in the worship service?
YES!

Keep in mind, we come to worship, and praise the Lord.
We also come to learn and to teach others.
And, we want to hear someone preach a good message that both
edifies the church,
and speaks to non-believers about coming to Christ.

There is NO LIMIT on what God can do in a worship service.
Truth is, if God really begins to move EVERYONE will want to STAY!

SO, if someone has just GOT to speak in another language, limit it to 2 or 3.
And, they should speak "by course", or one after the other:
NOT all at the same time!
And, BE SURE that SOMEONE can interpret!!

IF no one can intelligently interpret what is being said, then
the speaker should "KEEP SILENCE" in the church!!
He/she can LATER, when alone, "speak to himself, and to God."

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

The "prophets" would speak in clear, distinct and understandable language.
And, their speech would be for edification and education.
Some may even have spoken for a call to surrender to Jesus as Lord.

Even THIS should be LIMITED!
Only 2 or 3.

The word "judge" is derived from the Greek diakrino.
It literally means to separate fully.
And, in the context of this Scripture means to determine if what is spoken,
coincides with the Word of God.
(See 1John 4:1)

I remember when I first surrendered to the ministry.
Another man, with whom I grew up, had surrendered at almost the same time.

Our pastor asked us to preach in the worship service.
He didn't tell us what to preach, he left that to us.
But, he told us we could only have 15 minutes each.
Now that's allowing spontaneity, but also limiting.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

A much debated passage of Scripture.
In Corinth, people were used to seeing pagan worshippers who
declared they were under inspiration and could not control themselves.

Many of the people in the church at Corinth were acting this way.
One would be speaking in tongues while another sang and another prophesied and
another gave testimony.
However, in the church (of New Testament believers) it is NOT the way to be!

Though God had given the prophets the inspiration to speak,
they did not necessarily HAVE to speak immediately.
This is to say they would not run over one another.
They were able to hold their speech until another had finished.

The "spirits" of the prophet is the PERSON.
Though he be inspired of God's Holy Spirit, he does not lose sense of graciousness.
The prophet cannot control the Spirit of God Who gives him inspiration.
But he CAN control himself to speak at an appropriate time.

When God inspires a person to speak in the assembly of the church,
He does not take away decency!
He does not strip away free agency!
He does not take away the individuality of the speaker.
And, He certainly does not make them rude and selfish!

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Of inspiration - God IS the "Author!"

But God never authors "confusion"!
Again see 1Cor. 14:23 above.

God takes chaos and makes "peace"!
(See Gen. 1:1-3)

Further, Paul admonishes the church at Corinth to follow the example of "all churches of the saints."
The example of other churches did not have confusion, but order.

Confusion causes people to distance themselves.
Peace brings people together.

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.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Oh MY!!
Really?

Let's think about this for a moment.

First, God's INSPIRATION caused Paul to write what we read here.
The word from which inspiration is derived from the Greek theopneustos.
It means God-breathed.
God literally breathed into the writers of the Bible what HE wanted them to say.
(See 2Tim. 3:16)

Second, this was a public gathering of people to worship God.
Some of the women there had claimed inspiration and were involved in both tongue speaking and prophesy.
In 1Cor. 11, Paul made very specific statements about women in the church.
He said they were not to pray with their heads uncovered (See 1Cor. 11:4-5)
And, in that chapter, Paul NEVER mentioned the woman taking a lead role in public worship.

Also, in 2Tim. 1:12, Paul expressly states the woman is NOT to "usurp authority over the man."
This is understood that she is not to take the role of TEACHING the man in public worship.
They were not to take the role of conducting public worship.

Now, women were NOT kept from teaching younger women and children (See Tit. 2:4).

Now, are we to take Paul's writing as inspired or not?
Is it indeed from God?
If it is inspired from God, can we cut out those Scriptures which we believe are impertinent?
Do we honor God by dismissing part of His Word?

In today's world, we see women teaching (and preaching to) men in public worship.
Some have said that the men WON'T take leadership, so the women MUST.
But what the Bible says is quite DIFFERENT!
Women taking leadership in public worship is "a SHAME" to the church!
For it is a shame when men abdicate their responsible leadership in the church,
because they have obviously forsaken their leadership in the family!!

Yes! Women have a VERY important role in the church.
They are to be admired, respected and encouraged with kindness.
However, they are NOT to take leadership in public worship!

That's not what Bro. Bruce says.
That's what GOD says!
It's there boldly in God's Word!
Let's take it as eternal truth!

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

If a person considers himself a "prophet" (inspired by God to speak);
or, if a person is "spiritual" (in a right relationship with God);
then he should "acknowledge" that Paul's writing was indeed inspired of God.

I believe verse 36 above is addressed to the church at Corinth as a WHOLE.
They were one of the last churches to have been founded.
They were certainly not in a position to determine the things they had allowed.
There were other churches from which they could learn and follow as an example.
And Paul had quite clearly taught them truth.

They had allowed confusion.
They had reported irregularities in a letter to Paul (See 1Cor. 1:11).
Certain customs from pagan worship had been allowed in the church.

The word "ignorant" is derived from the Greek agnoeo.
It can mean a lack of knowledge.
It can also mean to IGNORE the knowledge.

Certainly they had knowledge that Paul was an apostle.
Certainly they had knowledge he had always taught them TRUTH.

Would they ignore his truth NOW?
If they would, then so be it.
Let them continue and reap the consequences.

The consequences of confusion is more confusion, and eventually bitterness.
The church at Corinth openly criticized Paul.
And, they probably even criticized John (See 3John 9-10).

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Paul's last exhortation concerning the divisions, devaluation of the Lord's Supper,
exhorbitant tongue speaking, and unruly prophesy.

Three points made here.
1) Earnestly seek after "prophesy".
Especially in orderly fashion with clear and distinct meaning.
2) Forbid NOT to speak in tongues.
Wow! Really?
It is not improper when meaningfully edifying the church, and properly interpreted for the whole.
Speaking in foreign languages is not to be prohibited.
Speaking in unknown tongues IS!
3) Do things "decently and in order."
Don't run over each other!
Keep the worship service in a general programmatic manner.
Be sensitive to what God says, and to others when speaking it.

Let us remember that God is our COMMANDER!
We are His army!

Therefore, let the church(es) follow an orderly fashion so that the forces may be
educated,
edified,
exhorted,
and sent out to evangelize!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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