Study in 1 Corinthians - Session 17

Study in 1 Corinthians - Session 17  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Rejoin the people in Corinth

We have spent a considerable amount of time trying to understand the life of a Corinthian. Paul continues to warn and teach us of a new lifestyle different than the one we have been raised in.
He recently reminded us in 1 Cor 12 that there are spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues and prophecy, but then he seems to abruptly change over to the topic of love. This is interesting because at first glance this does not seem anything like the previous chapter, but as we learned the context of 13 and the worship of other idols reveals exactly why love is the central part of chapters 12, 13, and 14.
How has studying Corinthian changed the meaning and context for you personally?

Let’s Rejoin them in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:1 NASB95
1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
Here we see Paul winding up 1 Cor 13 and now helping us to put in perspective love and where it falls in order of importance. He is going to use love to help us understand the usage of the gifts.
1 Corinthians 14:2 NASB95
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
Interesting here the word tongue. I wonder what the word “tonuges” was in context at Pentecost? Let’s look together at Acts 2:1-6.
Acts 2:1–6 (NASB95)
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
Appeared, distributed, rested
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
What language were they speaking then? Appears based on the text, they were speaking the native language, even though they did not know how to, of the people that were listening.
5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.
to appear (in sight) v. — to come into sight or view.
language (supernatural) ⇔ tongue n. — any language but often referring to a language one has never studied and a supernatural ability to speak (or be understood) in it.
to stay (continue) v. — to continue in a place, position, or situation.
Remember we were looking at this to understand verse 2. This would then imply that this person is speaking the language of Yahweh. What language does Yahweh speak uniquely? Does he speak Hebrew, English, Hindi? Yes, he speaks them all, but there is a language spoken to the Creator that is beyond a language we have today in mankind.
1 Corinthians 14:3–4 NASB95
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
building up n. — the act of bringing something closer to fullness or completion; understood as if assisting in the construction of an incomplete building.
exhortation n. — the act of earnestly supporting or encouraging (a response or action).
exhortation n. — the act of earnestly supporting or encouraging (a response or action).
1 Corinthians 14:5–6 (NASB95)
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy;
What is prophesy? There are over 451 mentions of a prophet in the Bible:
a message given to a person that is to be delivered to a people from Yahweh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edcqUu_BtN0 - Prophet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNNZO9i1Gjc&t=12s - Holy Spirit
and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
Notice that by interpreting the body is now edified.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?
1 Corinthians 14:7–8 (NASB95)
7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
Paul is setting us up to understand how the gift of tongues should be used. By connecting our minds to music that really would simply be noise if not organized, Paul is leading us to understand communicating with Yahweh within the body.
1 Corinthians 14:9 NASB95
9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
Just like the musical instruments, things being done in the proper way through the speaking of tongues prepares the people for those hearing. We must also keep in mind that it is hard for someone not attuned to the things of God to recognize them when they are freely distracted or given over to temporary things.
1 Corinthians 14:10–11 NASB95
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
Interesting that there is a prejudice toward not understanding the language that someone is speaking. Notice the barbarian comment. We have seen this before when we studied Thessalonians and how the Macedonians were viewed by others. Notice also though that language is understood by those accustomed or understanding of it. I think about when Jesus said that he wanted to speak to us about deeper things, but that we could not understand more because we are not from above.
Let’s think for a moment about the way Jesus instructed the religious in understanding the things of Kingdom of God.
John 3:1–13 NASB95
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 “If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
1 Corinthians 14:12 NASB95
12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
The people were interested in spiritual gifts. I wonder why they were and why people today seem to not be as interested? Seems as if in their culture there was some maturing or deepness viewed as possessing a spiritual gift.
1 Corinthians 14:13–14 NASB95
13 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.
Paul wants to emphasize that the barbarian sounding tongue needs to be interpreted to make it useful to the body.
1 Corinthians 14:15 NASB95
15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
Paul is telling them to live in both realms, spiritual and earthly. The mind seems to somehow make sense of the spiritual and helps the body.
1 Corinthians 14:16–17 NASB95
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 person is not edified.
The Amen means that you are saying it is truthful what was said. Now Paul is trying to help them see that someone ungifted are incapable of understanding what is happening.
1 Corinthians 14:18–19 NASB95
18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
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