Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 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. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and encouragement. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 But I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. And greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates, so that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue a word that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of sounds in the world, and none is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 1 Corinthians 14: 1-12 LSB
1 Corinthians 14: 5
Warning - To hopefully avoid some confusion here, let it be understood that these posts are part of an ongoing conversation between me and a friend, who is Pentecostal but who I also believe to be a brother in Christ. There is no disrespect of people intended. This will include posts #1511 to #1515.
V.5 But I wish that you all spoke in tongues - This was one of my favorite verses when in the Pentecostal movement, as if it was a proof of what I was doing, and as if what I was doing was defined herein. Paul also uses this same hyperbole in regard to a gift he has that many don't, celibacy. Moses also wishes that all could prophesy though we know that all are not given this gift equally, and will contest that the canon is sealed so no one going about today claiming that gift, in reference to foretelling, is legit. I think all should profess, should forthtell, share the gospel, call men to repent both in our words and also by having that modeled in our deeds, but not everyone is called to teach in general assembly. All the cults have "prophets", Christian cults are those that use terms familiar to us. They say Christ, but it is another, the Word of God is insufficient on it's own for them, they usually focus heavily on a few topics, like eschatology, healing, the Sabbath, tongues, and all receive extra Biblical revelation. They always bring their own definition of faith, and most have started by someone receiving a vision, a word, an experience, some special gnosis.
…6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.… 1 Corinthians 7: 6-8
…28Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” 29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!” 30Then Moses returned to the camp, along with the elders of Israel.… Numbers 11: 28-30
But let's ask some basic questions here:
1. Who is Paul talking to? Answer: A church located in Corinth. This was a city where a lot of cultures, languages and peoples intersected. My father refers to himself as a Corinthian Christian, tying this to the very bad doctrine of the carnal Christian. He goes to this book to justify antinomianism, failing to see that Paul's call to this church was not only to correct them, but to have them mature so that they would also correct.
2. Why is he sending this epistle to them? Answer: The church was very carnal, influenced heavily by outside culture, and was struggling with immorality to such a degree that it would make pagans blush. There was also division over leadership, division and misunderstanding regarding the gifts, and a lot of self seeking arrogance.
…11My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?… 1 Corinthians 1: 11-13
…18Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have. 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.… 1 Corinthians 4: 18-20
1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? 3Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.… 1 Corinthians 5: 1-3
On pg. 728 of photo you sent me the commentator says for verse 4, "This has sometimes been called self-edification" and therefore understood as something pejorative." I would say from the overall context of the epistle that would not be a difficult interpretation to come to. He continues, "but Paul intended no such thing. The edifying of oneself is not self-centeredness, but the personal edifying of the believer that comes through private prayer and praise." In the note or reference 444 below, it states, MacArthur, 372, "whose biases intrude on his interpretations, considers it sarcastic here." I would point out that the same could be said of this man's commentary, it reads from a Pentecostal position. I do believe there are things that work toward our own self edification, cause us to grow, like hearing of sound preaching, the reading of the word, private prayer, but whereas this man would seemingly recognize the flux of this being about edification, and rightly points this out, yet he thinks " 'mysteries' that mysteries that are not understood even by the speaker can edify, the answer lies in what is said later (vv. 14-15) Contrary to the opinion of many, spiritual edification can take place in ways other than through the cortex of the brain." That is a self defeating statement, everything is processed in some measure, engaged in some way by the brain, with or without self control. When I thought I was speaking in tongues, "I thought", so I had notions or beliefs that were held by my mind regarding it. Were they sound? No. He seems quite positive that verses 14 and 15 come to mean that I do both kinds, like sometimes I pray without understanding and sometimes with, but again, if we go back to edification, it wasn't edifying if it could not be understood by the hearers, so what sort of edification is derived by the speaker, in "private prayer language" if he doesn't understand. I think this is better expounded as both, that I pray in the spirit with understanding, then it is fruitful. And verse 16 brings back to the body again, so it doesn't seem to be making the man's point.
…14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?… 1 Corinthians 14: 14-16
THOUGHT - I fear much of modern music appeals more to the emotion than to the mind. One could almost get a degree in theology by studying the great old hymns, which engage the mind with deep Biblical truths about God. Sadly, such is not always the case with modern catchy choruses. I recall reading a testimony of many people coming to faith in Christ at the playing of a hymn Arise My Soul Arise. Ira Sankey records in his book, My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns, the following account of the amazing power of the gospel as articulated in this song: "I have a record," said a Wesleyan missionary laboring in the West Indies, "of two hundred persons, young and old, who received the most direct evidence of the forgiveness of their sins while singing 'Arise, my soul.' The conversion of the greater number of these persons took place while I was a missionary abroad." I tried to get a worship leader of a large church to consider using this hymn but sadly he declined, even when I sent him the original story from Ira Sankey's book (see below)! So much for engaging the mind!!! - Precept Austin
Believer's Study Bible - Paul reaffirms his own intention both to sing and to pray with his full understanding, as well as with the Spirit. The Corinthians were reveling in ecstatic experiences. Paul maintains that it is far better to proceed in prayer and song with understanding and points out that the accompanying leadership of the Holy Spirit is present. - BSB quoted in PA
So now, without the bias of saying that Paul is wishing that they all spoke in a private prayer language in verse 5, lets ask the next question, what is tongues?
1. It is a sign for unbelievers. How? In Acts 2 they all heard the Apostles speaking in many different languages. Now, many Pentecostals and other continuationists will say that the contrast with Paul's correction about tongues and unbelievers, the uninitiated, occurs because of the lack of order, that too many are speaking at the same time, out of turn. But in Acts 2 there were many languages represented, but also understanding. We will naturally come to the corrections by course, and it can easily be seen though that whether by many or few, Paul also adds and let the other interpret. It is interpretation, putting it into the form that can be taken up, received and evaluated by the mind, that makes it accessible, useful. Otherwise it is self edifying like any of the people that chant and put themselves forward as gurus, or the Pharisees with their phylacteries. It is also worth noting that Paul's prescriptions to order also kill the fake form of tongue that I operated in, but only when people insist on the interpretation, then it becomes prophecy which is to the edifying of believers, or silence, which kills the babblers. I have seen and read about pagan examples where there was ecstatic babble followed by someone giving an interpretation. That could easily be faked, and there's no denying for the Bible student that there are plenty of false prophets, even those who claim to represent Christ or go so far as to say they are Christ.
…21It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.” 22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?… 1 Corinthians 14: 21-23
And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues like fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 So they were astounded and marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we each hear them in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the district of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others, mocking, were saying, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2: 1-13
2. It is one of the gifts given for the common good. Again we are taken back to one of the main themes, edification of the body.
…6There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,…
…9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.… 1 Corinthians 12: 6-11
3. It was not something that everyone could do or was meant to do. Again, the body, it's not all mouth.
…29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.… 1 Corinthians 12: 29-31
4. It was inferior to prophecy. Tongues had to be interpreted to be edifying, otherwise the edification would appear to be purely euphoric or self-aggrandizing. If you interpreted it then it became prophecy, but also allowed for it to be evaluated. What is the message? Is this in the same Spirit that we were taught? Is it another gospel? Even if you used the gift, which I believe the true gift to be a known tongue that was unknown to the speaker, it needed to be interpreted for the benefit of all, even if it had reached a singular target who spoke in that language. In the same vane, I take my children to hear the Word taught at church, and I pay attention to what the preacher proclaims, I evaluate it against other Scripture, and what is taught most plainly and clearly. If I differ with the pastor and think him in err even after much study, prayer and reflection, I go to him privately and discuss the matter. If it is not an essential doctrine like the deity of Christ, God's right over His Creation, justification by faith etc., then we politely agree to disagree and then I correct it with my kids at home, showing them why I disagree based on Scripture. If it is an essential doctrine, and he is unwilling to change his mind, digs his feet in and embraces error, continues to defend such error, then we part ways. The Scriptures are sufficient for all these things, Sola Scriptura.
…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17
What did it look like? In Acts 2 we have the clearest picture of the gift, and Luke gives this account after Paul's writing, but nowhere do we see mention of a private prayer language. In fact we never see that example, yet people believe it to be inferred based upon their biases in trying to define the practice of uninterpreted, unintelligible speech. We have another example of tongues in Acts 10, and the context of this chapter is the receiving of the gentiles into the faith. It was a sign to the Jewish believers that the Holy Spirit had come to the gentiles, a very difficult thing for them to accept. I don't think this was gibberish here either, for they heard them praising God. If it was gibberish then it would have had the same effect spoken of in 14:23 where everyone would have thought the speakers "mad". From everything I have read in Scripture thus far it is hard to see the case for another type of tongues, another gift of tongues that is a prayer language, or what we see in the charismatic church. The most beautiful miracle associated with tongues was that the people of Acts 2 heard Peter's message and were pierced to the heart, they received the greater miracle, that of being born again. We lose sight of this, that every time a sinner repents and trust solely in Christ, something powerful has happened, no less than when Jesus called, "Lazarus, come forth." That is the miracle I want to see over and over again, sinners coming to Christ.
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10: 34-48
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, “ Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “ we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.…
…4Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.… Acts 19: 1-6
…25I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.… Ezekiel 36: 25-27
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