Tongues vs. Prophecy pt. 1
1 Corinthians: Order in the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
Let me point out, chapters 12-14 are connected, dealing with the misuse of spiritual gifts within the church. The gift of tongues being the most misused gift of all.
Chapter 13 reveals the real problem was they were exercising their gifts without love for others, and chapter 14, we will soon see, Paul concludes that tongues are an “inferior” gift.
Tongues or Prophecy? v. 1-5
Tongues or Prophecy? v. 1-5
Verse one begins the closing section on this subject with these words: 1 Cor. 14:1
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
“Follow after charity” = “follow after love”
To “follow after” something means to pursue it diligently.
Love for others ought to be the very motivation for everything we do, especially concerning our spiritual gifts.
Paul instructs the Corinthians to “desire spiritual gifts”
The word “desire” means to have a warm feeling toward something. Please note they are told to desire “prophecy” not tongues.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
What is the biblical gift of tongues?
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue”…Tongue = language.
Please notice the word “unknown” is in italics. This means it was inserted by the translators to complete the thought.
The biblical gift of tongues is centered around two primary things:
It is a real, understandable language.
The utterance was for the purpose of praising and exalting God by giving the gospel to others.
Notice also, in verse 2, the person speaking in tongues (when there is no need for it) is only edifying or building up themselves.
There were some in Corinth who were using the gift of tongues without an interpreter, in this case the other church members had no idea what was being said.
The reference “In the spirit” most likely refers to the human spirit, not the Holy Spirit - that is the problem! There is nothgin wrong with using your spiritual gift, the problem is using it for your own self gain.
“Mysteries” refers to a truth not yet known, but being revealed by God -
Let me illustrate: If we were able to time travel and go back to Corinth in Paul’s day. If I were allowed to enter the church, I would be clueless to what was being said because I don’t speak Greek. Likewise they do not speak English. Now, suppose I stood up and preached my entire Sunday morning message from Revelation. The Corinthians did not have this book, nor did they heave the knowledge of the rapture, tribulation etc. I could preach this message, present the gospel, and none of it would do any good. Why? Becasue they don’t understand a word of it!
I’m revealing truth, but that truth would be better shared if I would hold my tongue until someone who could interpret were available.
I want to point out just how misused this gift was...
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Contrary to tongues, prophecy was easily understood by all in attendance.
Notice the three-fold purpose of prophecy:
To edify = build up.
To exhort - strengthen and encourage. (ILLUS. “Facing the Giants” - crawling across the field.
To comfort - people who are hurting or confused need to be comforted
Tongues does not meet any of these needs.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Tongues:
Edifies oneself, not the church
There is a catch:
The “speaker” doesn’t even understand it himself.
How then is he the only one edified? Its emotional edification.
Prophecy:
The exercise of prophecy is done for the edification of the entire body of believers.
Everyone present, including the prophet, fully understands the message.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
What is Paul saying?
Some claim he is teaching that the entire church should speak in tongues.
What he is actually teaching is that tongues, in and of itself, offers no real value if it is understood.
Prophecy is much more beneficial since all understand it.
Another good question regarding tongues...
What is the Point if the Message Isn’t Understood? V. 6-19
What is the Point if the Message Isn’t Understood? V. 6-19
It is interesting in this section the word “understanding” appears 8 times!
I wonder if God wants us to “understand” something?
In the next few verses Paul gives some illustrations for a very simpl fact:
- You can speak all day, but if no one understands you, you have accomplished NOTHING!
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
Paul is explaining in this verse that he could come speaking in tongues, but he could accomplish much more if he spoke rather by:
Revelation - imparting new/unknown truth
Knowledge - unfolding of the the divine will for decision making.
Prophecy - both foretelling (future) and forthtelling (exposition).
Doctrine = teaching
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
Musical instruments serve a purpose in worship, but let’s for a minute suppose Gwen began playing Amazing Grace, while Freda was playing How Great Thou Art, and I started plucking out I’ll Fly Away, and Brian or Todd are singing Blessed Assurance!
How would you know which to follow? the result is confusion…more on that later.
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
In ancient Israel there were trumpet calls to prepare for battle, to go to battle, to cease from battle, and to retreat from battle. Both the soldier and the trumpeter had to know which call was which, and if one got it wrong it could spell disaster.
When you’re going to battle you better know what the trumpet is calling for!
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
Paul compares speaking in tongues when no one around you is able to understand what you’re saying to playing an uncertain call on the trumpet. It’s like speaking into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
These verses begin to deliver some application.
“So many kinds of voices” = there are several distinct languages and dialects, each one distinct from each other.
Two people of different languages trying to communicate are like barbarians to each other.
We’ve all seen it. You have probably experienced it yourself. You are trying to communicate with someone who speaks another language, one of which you do not understand the first syllable. It always has the same ending. You begin talking more slowly and with ever increasing volume, as if slowing down and speaking louder would help!
Barbarians! Uneducated, someone not from the Roman or Greek cultured world.
The Corinthians, seeking the gift of tongues to impress others, were no different. They needed to realize they were harming the church, not helping.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
Paul is trying to teach that it is not the speaking that is important, but what is being said. For this reason interpretation is necessary any time the gift of tongues was being used.
Take away:
Take away:
Remember:
Spiritual gifts are to be desired, but especially those which edify the entire body.
The biblical gift of tongues centers around real spoken languages.
The gift of prophecy is preferred to tongues because it edifies the entire body.
No matter how often you speak in tongues, if no one understands you might as well be speaking into the air.