©2002 Pastor Tom Miles

Chapter 14 is a continuance of the subject matter began in chapters 12 and 13. In this chapter Paul becomes a little more detailed in the importance of certain things.  He began this detail at the closing of chapter 13 with faith, hope, and love!

In verses one to three Paul says we should earnestly desire spiritual gifts.  We should strive after love with zeal but also with patience.  Paul says that prophesying is greater than tongues.  Paul is not speaking of the foretelling of future events.  He is speaking of the building up and edification of the body of Believers through the Scriptures and through the message of Christ!  The Corinthian believers were trying to put the gift of tongues above all over gifts and Paul wanted it known that it was not the superior gift.  To prophesy is to chiefly communicate God's message to believers.  It is to provide insight, correction, edification, and warning.  We are to strive towards love and desire the gifts of the Spirit but the gift of prophesy we should want more because it is in harmony with love due to its nature of edification, teaching, caring, etc.  Paul says that the person speaking in the unknown tongue is speaking directly to God not to men.  It is to God alone and God alone understands his words.  Paul instructs that the person with the gift of prophecy has much more to give to the body than he who has only the gift of tongues.  The person with the gift of prophecy teaches, edifies, uplifts, and reveals the truth and blessings of God along with the revelation of the scriptures.

In verse four Paul continues to say that the person speaking in tongues edifies only self because only he knows what it is he speaks.  The one that prophesies though edifies the entire body!  I would that ye all spake with tongues (5).  Paul feels it is important to have the gift of tongues but only when used properly and not abused.  He says he holds no prejudice against it or jealousy of those that have the gift.  It is more important though to exalt the more humble gift of prophesy that edifies the body.  It is impressive to speak with an unknown tongue but it is more valuable to speak with a humble gift of teaching, edifying, and loving.  The only way the gift of tongues is useful to the body is if the person speaking interprets also or someone else interprets so the whole body may be blessed by it.

And now brethren says Paul in verse six if I come with: revelation which would denote some type of spiritual or gospel mystery or with knowledge which would refer to things known from the past or present, or with prophecy to lift up, build up or tell of things to come, it matters not unless that in which I do or say has meaning or can be understood by all not just by me!  Verses seven to 11 refer to the idea that the Corinthian Believers were abusing the gifts and especially the gift of tongues.  Instruments are distinguished by their tones or sounds and should be recognized if not what value do they have? An uncertain sound is one that is confusing and without meaning.  The different sounds of the trumpet during battle had significant meaning:  One would call to battle; one would call to retreat, etc.  It was a form of communication and would sound out above the other sounds around it during battle.  And if the speech you use in the Church or within the body of Believers is not understood your gift is useless and you are only speaking for your self into empty air.  A message must be given if it is done in public.  Tongues in public are for the edification and building up of the body of Christ.  Paul also stresses that interpretation is needed and should be coupled with the gift of tongues.  He says by the multitude of languages if one speaks without interpretation it is as if they did not speak at all.  He goes on to say it is as a foreigner or a barbarian that would be so rude as to speak without an interpreter.  And concluding in 12 and 13 Paul says if you will use the gifts as they are meant to be used then you would first seek after the edifying of the church.   Paul also says they must not use the gift of tongues in the church unless they can interpret or another is able to interpret.  And also if you have the gift of tongues then pray that you receive the gift also of interpretation!

Verse 14 says if we pray in an unknown tongue it goes to God and our spirit is edified but it bears no fruit for the body unless it is interpreted. In 15 Paul says he will pray with the spirit, but also he will pray with the understanding.  In other words he will use the power of the Holy Spirit and his own understanding.  He will not say something in the church that will do nothing for the rest of the church.  If he speaks or if he sings in the Spirit he will do so only with the interpretation so that it edifies the entire body.  Paul is trying to teach the proper use of the gift of tongues.  If no one is available to interpret Paul will not use tongues and feels no one else should either because it only benefits the one speaking not the whole!  And if you are speaking in a language unknown to the rest how can anyone agree with or confirm what you say?  No one would be able to even say thanks because only you had understanding!  And in verse 17 it says that even if you use an unknown language and it is done from the heart and accepted by God from you--it is accepted as an offering from you to God and no one else can benefit from it unless you interpret it.  Paul sets himself as an example in 18 by giving thanks to God that he speaks in tongues abundantly, but goes on in verse 19 to say that in the church he would rather speak 5 words with his mind so as to teach and bless with instruction and wisdom than to speak 10,000 words in tongues with only himself receiving the blessing.

In verse 20 Paul expresses that the Corinthian Believers were but babes in their thinking and needed to grow up both in life and in understanding of God!  Paul says if they do not grow in understanding they will not have knowledge of God's ways.  They need to put aside the thoughts of great shows of earthly wisdom and such as that and stop looking to men for edification instead they should turn their hearts to purifying the mind and heart.  Putting away the childish things yet maintaining a child-like heart from God.  Paul is paving the path for the words that follow in verses 21 to 25.

Isaiah 28:9-13 is referenced by Paul in verse 21 to 26 is saying, “it is written in the scriptures.”  This passage from Isaiah refers to God punishing the disobedient unbelievers by bringing confusion upon them from unknown tongues.  Paul is alluding to the words of the Lord as meaning that tongues were also given to confuse or keep hidden from the unbelievers the things of God.  As unbelievers they would not have understanding if tongues were used.  Tongues are a sign to unbelievers that God is speaks through HIS children.  Prophecy is the confirming words and thoughts for those that believe and prophecy edifies and lifts up the body even when it rebukes.  The Corinthian Believers were abusing the gifts and especially tongues and Paul wanted them to recognize the greater purpose of prophesying.  Paul says that when everyone speaks with tongues only it appears as if they are all crazy!  Any person coming in to the church new would not understand what was going on and look at them as if they were nuts!  In turn those newcomers might turn away and leave having not received.  If though, the ones that teach or preach do it in the native tongue instead of the Spirit's tongue any newcomer would then be able to understand and thus the Holy Spirit would have opportunity to convict their heart.  When the Holy Spirit is able to penetrate the heart something glorious happens.  The hidden secrets, inner thoughts, and yearnings of the heart and soul are manifested before the Lord and the Power of God is released in the new converts life.  Speaking in tongues were supposed to be a sign to the unbelievers as it was in Acts 2.  It is a revealing so to speak that something supernatural is happening.  Once the act of speaking in tongues happened an explanation or interpretation was given so all would understand thus causing any unbeliever to know it was from God and not man.  Paul also states that if this does not happen and all simply speak in tongues with no interpretation it is confusion and it would be better to just receive clear preaching than to hear babbling.  For the worship service Paul says is for the Believers!  When everyone has a tongue, a song, a doctrine, a message, and an interpretation together at one time or right after the next it does not give time for the body to absorb that, which was given and edifies only the giver.  What takes place in the body is to edify the whole.  We are to come together in public gatherings to receive teaching from God's Word and to worship and praise our God!  Anything happening in the worship service should be done for the benefit of all the worshippers.  This should include all aspects of the service--prayer, singing, exhorting, use of the gifts, etc.  Anyone participating in the service must express love and respect for the body and for God!
See 1 Cor. Chapter 14-2 for rest of this chapter.

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

For instructions on being Born Again click on banner at top of page.
Thank you for reading.