Allan said:
1. Tongues have nothing to do with the Spirit of God praying through you.
I have never made such an argument.
2. Vs 2 in no way is making the statement that the person speaking in tongues is praying (as in a private prayer language) to God. You have to take a huge leap of logic (even leaving logic) to come up with the supposition.
I don't think it is a "huge leap of logic" when the ongoing context supports it.
I Cor. 14:2
"
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God....."
Compare with I Cor.14:13-17
"
Therefore, let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. (14)For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
Clearly, Paul here concedes that praying in a tongue engages the spirit but not the mind.
(15)What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also...
Paul encourages them to engage their minds when they pray and sing praises (which amounts to blessing God and giving thanks as the next verse demonstrates.)
(16)Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the Amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? (17) For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
Verse 17 clearly indicates that Paul concedes the possibility that when they "
bless in the spirit" (which he linked with speaking in tongues in verse 14: Context, context, context) they are, in fact, giving thanks to God.
He encourages them not to speak in tongues
in the church because it does not edify others, and is no benefit to unbelievers.
However, this passage does not state they are praying but speaking.
Actually, the context demonstrates that speaking, praying, singing, blessing, and giving thanks were all done "in a tongue".
Secondly, the Paul states that since no one understands what he is saying (not praying) the only person who benifits is God because what he is saying is meaningless to the others. If you will notice the very first thing Paul actually does is show them that they are not using this gift for the purpose God give it - to benifit or edify the body (1 Cor 12:7). Therefore Paul states let the message (not prayer) remain silent (between you and the Lord).
I don't disagree with you here, and I have, in fact, already stated much the same thing several times. I would point out, however, that the instruction to "remain silent" is accompanied by "in the church".
Thus you see in verse 3 the word "but.." showing a comparison being brought forth in the manner in which tongues was being used and not the gift of tongues itself.
You are simply wrong, here. The "but" in verse 3 compares the results of one speaking in a tongue "
no one understands...he speaks mysteries" to the results of one who prophesies "
edification, exhortation and consolation".
Now why did Paul not state you are speaking to God iwhen no one understands you like in verse 2 but instead stated they are speaking into the air. Because the intent of Paul was not to say it is a private prayer language but that what was being done is meaningless and unprofitable according to the purpose for which the gifts are given.
It is meaningless and unprofitable to those around the person speaking in a tongue.
Chapter 12 established that the gifts were given to benifit the body or the Church and was not for self edification. In chapter 14 he is rebuking them for the abuse of it (as a status symbol) AND ignorance regarding their usage of it. Thus his beginning in chapter 12 "brethren, I would not have you stay ignorant regarding spiritual gifts". What Paul was doing was first explaining what it was for and the how it was to be used so that everything would be done properly AND in order (regarding the disruption of fellowship)
I don't think you're reading my posts very well. I have stated much the same thing several times now.
peace to you
raying:
