1 Pursue love,and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
We have to define what Prophesy is. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Strongs Dictionary says: "NT:4395 propheteuo (prof-ate-yoo'-o); from NT:4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:KJV prophesy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is accurate. As you read the OT, you find it was dealing with people who spoke for God to the people in a prophetic utterance. It is to know the future. And if a prophecy has been uttered, it awaits its fulfillment. Paul here is teaching that there is also a gift of prophecy. Remember it is ceasing (1 Cor 13:8). But at the time this letter was written, this gift was still in existence. As all gifts were. Paul is saying that he has a desire for them to prophesy. The true mark of a prophet of God is if the prophecy came true. If you have people going around prophesying, then they risk the chance of being found out. Either way, Paul would rather them prophesy over speaking in tongues as we will see.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
Keep this in mind, when Paul mentions tongues, it is the
Biblical tongues, not what we see today. Why does he say this? Because tongues were languages that no one could understand. The KJV is somewhat misleading when they insert the word
unknown. They were only unknown to those who did not know that language. Spanish is unknown to me. But it is still a known language. Tongues in the Bible is always a real language. The only person who could understand what was being spoken was God, not man. He is speaking mysteries to those around him.
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
This is important. The person who had the gift of prophesy spoke words that edified those in the Church, and brought comfort. The main reason that it was edifying was because people
could understand what the person was saying, instead of just wondering.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
The reason the one who speaks in tongues edified himself is because that is the only person who could possibly understand what he was saying. And not always did the actual person who spoke in tongues understand himself, but sometimes he did. As we will see. Only God and the person could understand what was being spoken, not anyone in the Church. Unless there was an interpreter. Again Paul teaches that Prophesies edify's the Church. While today we don't have a literal prophet, we do have prophecies such as what is found in the Book of Revelation. And look at what is said in Rev 1:3.
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
Paul is clearly teaching here that he would rather people prophesied. And that this person is the one who is greater! Now this is a verse that is often overlooked. One key phrase that is, unless indeed he interprets, I believe that Paul is saying that the person who is speaking that language is actually
able to interpret his own language. If one of two things were true. Either they were educated to know that language and then it would not be a miracle, or either God allowed them to understand it. Later Paul tells them to pray for God to give them understanding. If God gave me the gift of tongues in Spanish, then I would be able to also interpret that same Spanish into English. All so the Church could receive edification, so they would understand.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
This is all again to say that
what good is it to speak in tongues? What shall it profit? Paul says he needs to either speak by revelation, knowledge, or prophesying, or to teach. These edify. I must say, why do we hear so much about tongues in the Charismatic Churches? Tongues did not profit the Church or edify it.
7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
That would be a description of me trying to play the piano. I can't do it. It comes out as just noise. But put those key in front of someone who can play, and it makes sense.
8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
This has roots in the trumpet callings in the OT. There was a certain sound a trumpet was to make that would call all troops to battle. There has to be a distinguish in the sounds. Otherwise they would not prepare for battle. If the improper sound was made everyone would run around confused.
And not knowing what was being sounded. Same is true of Tongues.
9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
Again this is yet another point of the purpose of tongues. All your doing is speaking to the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
This is a verse to show that tongues is a real language. There are many different kinds, and they all have significance.
11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
This is part two of verse 10. Tongues is a language (Acts 2). It is an unknown language for someone who does not speak that language.
12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
Paul says that they were all wanting a gift so badly, then if so let it be a gift that can be used for edification.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
This goes with verse 5. If you speak it, then you pray that you can also interpret it, otherwise it is completely meaningless.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Paul recognized that there were those who even prayed in tongues. But they did not know what they were praying for. And it was unfruitful, therefore what good is it to try to pray in tongues? How can God be pleased with any communication that we can't even understand? That is not what praying is about.
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Paul says, don't do it in tongues. Speak a language so that you can understand and that those around you can understand.
16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
Doesn't this really start to come together? How can we all agree in Spirit and shout AMEN (so be it) in the service if we have no clue as to what was just said?
17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
If you understand the tongue, you can give thanks, but no one else can. How is this unity?
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
Probably Paul had the gift of every tongue. Remember, he is the vessel to speak unto the Gentiles.
19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
This is my favorite verse in the whole chapter. Five words of a known language, than ten thousand in an unknown. This is very Interesting. How can this be overlooked? How does this possibly give creditability to the Charismatic who wants to speak in tongues?
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
Paul tells them to grow up.
21 In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,"says the Lord.
This is prophetic, and they were living right in the fulfillment of the prophecy. The prophecy was about to be fulfilled. Just as soon as the Word of God is complete.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
This is another key verse. Tongues were a sign to the unbelieving Jews. Not to the Church. Yet we are told in Pentecostal Churches that in order to prove your Salvation then you spoke in tongues.
23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
Charismatic have not only hurt people in their theological damage, but also in this way. A person who is lost who has no Biblical knowledge, or Religious knowledge simply looks at "Christianity" as a whole thinking Pentecostalism is included. They think we are nuts. Have you ever noticed that in the Movies the person who is in the nut house is the one who is quoting Scripture? The world has now pegged us as nuts, and the Charismatic contributed to this greatly. If someone walks into a Pentecostal Church for the first time, they will think they are crazy,
and they would be right. Paul is teaching that they should not all be speaking in tongues at the same time.
24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
This will show the unbeliever that in a true worship service that Christians are seeking God, His will, and His knowledge. They were not nuts. Then he is convicted. Now I am not sure exactly why he is convicted. But I will have to trust Paul on this one.
25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
Because of the understanding. This for sure, it won't have this result if people are speaking in tongues.
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
This is how is should be done. Each person has their own gift.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
One at a time, in turn, and only three people were to speak in tongues. And make sure that someone interprets it, and that person may be the same person who spoke it. This is order, something we don't see in Charismatic circles.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
Keep quiet if you can't interpret or if no one is there to do that.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
Same with the prophets. Keep order.
30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.
Let one person speak at once.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.
This is an orderly fashion, and then its not confusion, and they can all learn and be encouraged.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
This is another key in understanding the gifts. The gifts were given to the person. For example if I had the gift of tongues, then I could use that gift when I wanted to. I was not subject to anything other than myself. I controlled it. It was not like we hear today where God overpowered a person and they spoke as God led them. It is the opposite. God gave the gift and they spoke when they wanted to. The same was true with the prophetic gift here in this verse God is teaching them to be controlled. Don't let your gifts get out of hand.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Because God is not the author of confusion. My question is, where do you find confusion today? Pentecostal Churches is full of it.
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
This is something else I believe about tongues. I don't think that God wanted the gift to be used by any woman in Church. In fact you won't find this being used by women, and in Acts it teaches that only the Men were speaking in tongues. J.V. McGee said that if you take women out of the Pentecostal movement, then it would die overnight. Paul told the women to keep silent. In context here is only speaking of tongues. They were not permitted to speak in tongues. This again fly's in the face of the Charismatic movement, doesn't it.
Chet
[ September 28, 2001: Message edited by: Chet ]
does anyone have toothpicks to prop my eyes open?
