I have not added to or taken away from the true meaning of the Word of God! therefore you accuse me unjustly!
Well, I will do as the Bible says and not what you want to add to or take away to fit your theology.
Paul makes it clear in chapter 14 what tongues are...
vs. 2 speaking to God!
1Co 14:2 If you speak languages that others don't know, God will understand what you are saying, though no one else will know what you mean. You will be talking about mysteries that only the Spirit understands.
Nothing about praying in a private language here; only a rebuke not to speak in tongues.
vs. 13 If you speak in tongues PRAY that you may interpret
1Co 14:13 When we speak languages that others don't know, we should pray for the power to explain what we mean.
Again this is for the entire church, the assembly. There is nothing here about a private prayer language. An interpretation is always necessary. (Another translation [CEV] makes this very plain).
vs. 14 If I pray in tongue...my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful ( I do not understand what I am saying unless God gives me the interpretation..which happens when you pray for it vs. 13)
1Co 14:14 For example, if I use an unknown language in my prayers, my spirit prays but my mind is useless.
Note:
for example. This is an illustration and not doctrine. He is not teaching one that prayer is allowable. He is using prayer as an illustration. And even then, private prayer in another language is useless because the mind is useless. You don't know what is being said. The spirit is not the Holy Spirit but your emotions. There is no capital S, just the emotional part of your being.
vs. 15 Is praying with both..with the spirit and with the understanding.
1Co 14:15 Then what should I do? There are times when I should pray with my spirit, and times when I should pray with my mind. Sometimes I should sing with my spirit, and at other times I should sing with my mind.
--You didn't quote the whole verse, and have taken a portion out of context. Again this is part of an example, an illustration. He is not condoning private prayer. Plus, everything done in another language is public, for the assembly. The "spirit" is the emotional part of man's being.
vs. 16
Bless with the spirit/giving thanks...is praying!
1Co 14:16 Suppose some strangers are in your worship service, when you are praising God with your spirit. If they don't understand you, how will they know to say, "Amen"?
--It specifically says "praising God" and in your own emotional part of your being. Again the context is public prayer, and it is used as an illustration. Paul never condones private prayer, and in fact he does not condone prayer at all. He is simply using it as an illustration. "FOR EXAMPLE." Don't forget those words. Without the mind being used it makes no sense. You must use your mind in all things. Paul condemns this type of praying or speaking.
vs. 17 You give thanks well!...last time I witness someone giving thanks, it was praying.
1Co 14:17 You may be worshiping God in a wonderful way, but no one else will be helped.
--It is an obvious condemnation. Again it is in the context of an illustration, as Paul does not condone any private prayer or even public prayer. The prayer is simply an illustration. He is simply saying that in a public worship service you are being very selfish and self-centered using a gift that is given for the whole assembly for your own self-serving purposes. How arrogant and selfish can one be. This is as strong as a rebuke as one can be.
No one else is helped!
vs. 18 Paul speaks with tongues more than all...but in church he would rather speak where everyone can understand him.
1Co 14:18 I thank God that I speak unknown languages more than any of you.
--Another rebuke. This is obviously not praying. He spoke in the legitimate gift other languages. He thanked God for this legitimate gift that God had given it to him and not to them, for he used it in the way that God had purposed it to be used. They did not. That is what he is saying.
vs. 26 He is not denying tongues in church...just do it in order!
vs. 28 If there is no interpreter we are to keep silent and speak to God (speaking to God silently is a silent prayer).
The obvious question needs to be asked: Why aren't you silent. You don't have an interpreter. And it isn't speaking of the Holy Spirit.
1Co 14:28 If no one can explain, you must keep silent in church and speak only to yourself and to God.
--The word speak is used and not pray. There is no prayer here. And there is no tongues here. You deliberately add to the Word of God, adding all the curses mentioned in Revelation to yourself. This is anathema.
vs. 39 Forbid not to speak in tongues!
1Co 14:39 My friends, be eager to prophesy and don't stop anyone from speaking languages that others don't know.
1Co 14:40 But do everything properly and in order.
--The word is languages--actual foreign languages that were given to those that they previously did not know. Now they knew what they were speaking and why. They knew the language and could fully understand what they were saying. You don't have this gift.
You lie about it and play the hypocrite.
You deserve the same condemnation as Charles Taze Russell, don't you?
