Ed, I thank you for your answer. I do not agree with you but I gave the challange and you responded and I commend you for that. Many here just ignore things and so I thought that you perhaps didn't have an answer but you did, and an interesting one at that.
I really believe that the interpreters of the KJV put "unknown" before tongue when they believed that Paul was speaking of gibberish. It was there way of saying in a laungage that doesn't make sense, or isn't a real language. The real gift of tongues was to speak in a known language not an unknown one. It wasn't just saying words to the air that no one understood, it was communication between a speaker and someone/s who did not speak the language. An interpreter would interpet what was said to the rest of the people so ALL were edified which Paul says spiritual gifts are for.
What can me or you possibly gain by saying words that we don't understand? that nobody else understands? how can that profit "the body(believers)"? Paul says it can't and in fact is self-edifying which has to be wrong by the nature of what a spiritual gift is for. Think on that for a bit
Your answer to the "sign" verse took me by surprize and I just think you are reading something into the text that is not there. LOok at this: KJV 1 Cor. 14:
"[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
[22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
[23] If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
[24] But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
[25] And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
[26] How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
[27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
[28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God."
Now, I must say there is a problem here as the "unknown" word pops up and counterdicts what I said before. I believe there was a mistake made here and that unknown was not the true intention. That may sound lame but when looking at the whole of the chapter it seems that at this point paul is speaking of the real gift, unknown to the general assembly but stll a real language, and that of someone who spoke the language that joined them. The gatherings back then were different because the different languages and dialects of the people varried a lot in small geographical areas. Tongues were needed to edify all who came to the service. But only a very limited number of speakers were supposed to use tongues to speak to the foreigners as not to make the service last too long. A tongue speaker could only speak if a person who could interpret was present, meaning that they knew ahead of time who the "gifted" interpreters were. The tongue speakers could not speak because without interpreters the "assembly" could not be edified. Hope that makes some sense. Remember when Paul says unbelievers it is directly after a verse that speaks of unbelieving Isreal, and that is who he is talking about, he would not change cocepts that abruptly. Anyway some thoughts to ponder. Take care,
In Christ,
Brian
[ January 29, 2004, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: Briguy ]
. Thanks much.