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CORINTHIANS 14
OK, If 1 Corinthians 12 pointed out the need for
spiritual manifestations to minister to the common good
of the congregation, then chapter 14 clarifies the need
for self-control in those manifestations, tempered by
chapter 13’s love.
Specifically Paul speaks to exercising the gifts of
prophecy and tongues in public gatherings by comparing
their public benefits with private exercise.
First the supernatural nature of spiritual gifts has
caused some to view them as “strange,”
“eerie,” and generally undesirable. Paul seeks
to remove unnecessary fear by showing that the primary
purpose of speaking in tongues is for supernatural
communication with God.
At the personal or devotional level, the use of tongues
can be summarized in three words: prayer, praise, and
protection.
1 Corinthians 14:2 says, “For one who
speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for
no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks
mysteries.” NASU
When we speak in “other tongues,” we are
sharing what someone has called the “sounds of the
Spirit.” We are making the sounds and forming the
syllables as the Holy Spirit is prompting the material
about which to pray and praise.
Romans 8:26-27 reminds us, “In the same
way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not
know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself
intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27
and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the
Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according
to the will of God.” NASU
In these situations our spirit communicates with God, who
is spirit, and there is a flow of praise, prayer, and
worship which is extremely natural, refreshing, and
fulfilling!
Paul told the Ephesians that all believers are in a
spiritual warfare and need to be “strong
in the Lord, in the power of His might.”
Paul then goes on to describe the spiritual armor and
concludes with “praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit.”
Thus prayer and supplication in the Spirit is a powerful
tool and weapon of protection in living the victorious
Christian Life.
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Corinthians 14:4 says, “One who speaks in
a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies
the church.”
Paul is saying that the spirit-filled believer’s
devotional use of tongues is building a wall of
protection for himself.
Jude says in verse 20 that “praying in
the Holy Spirit,” is a means of “building
yourselves up on your most holy faith.”
So first and foremost tongues is for personal use. As a
“spiritual language” it helps us speak to God
in praise, prayer and for protection.
The second purpose has to do with its public use as a
spiritual gift for the “profit of all”
(1 Corinthians 12:7).
Paul says he wishes all spoke with tongues (privately) in
verse 5, but acknowledges that God uses only some in the
gift of tongues with responsibility to use it in a public
ministry.
Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 12:30, “All
do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak
with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do
they?” (NAS)
1 Corinthians 14:26-28, “What is the
outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a
psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue,
has an interpretation. Let all things be done for
edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should
be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one
must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he
must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to
himself and to God.” NASU
Paul does, however, say that the gift of prophecy is
preferred in a public setting because we can all
understand immediately what is being said. Some have said
then that tongues should be forbidden in a public setting
in preference to the gift of prophecy, but verse 39
clearly states: “Therefore, my brethren,
desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak
in tongues.”
So how are we to interact with each other when it comes
to being filled with the Spirit?
Ephesians 5:18-20, “And do not get drunk
with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with
the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with
your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all
things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even
the Father;”
Colossians 3:16-17, “Let the word of
Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching
and admonishing one another with psalms {and} hymns {and}
spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts
to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, {do} all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him
to God the Father.” (NAS)
For Paul, these practices were meaningful and normal
activities worth preserving for personal and corporate
edification.
See
you in service!
Pastor
Mike
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