1 Cor. 14

Intro

The goal of gifts: the edification of the church. (v. 1-13)

After highlighting the supremacy of love in chapter 13, Paul begins this chapter by commending the pursuit of love to the Corinthian believers.

the word pursue (diokete) means to pursue persistently indicating a never terminating action

in other words, the pursuit of love is to be the never ending activity of Christian discipleship in relation to the body of Christ.

this pursuit necessarily excludes other behaviors, such as the envious, prideful, selfish and irritable traits we see reflected in chapter 13.

Moreover, it isn’t wrong to desire spiritual gifts (same word as 12:31)!

The problem was the Corinthian desire for the gifts they perceived as “better” and “more spiritual” at the cost of love and edification of the body.

“Especially that you should prophesy (1b)”

What does Paul mean by “prophesy”?

This is a loaded word we need to unpack

The “O.T. prophet”—whose ministry was was to proclaim new divine revelation to the people of God

This ministry seems to have concluded by or during the early NT ministry of the apostles

The author of Hebrews treats this category of “prophet” as a group from a former age

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Hebrews 1:1 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

Yet the terms “prophet” and “prophesy” persist

The Greek word here simply means “to proclaim or speak forth, preach”

The NT instructions to “prophesy” are exhortations that those gifted in speaking and preaching should proclaim the gospel—NOT to reveal some new truth

remember, the cannon of Scripture is closed

>This is clearly not how many denominations view prophesy

-prophetic word spoken over people or in the service at many pentecostal/charismatic churches

"I probably had as many as 40 or 50 specific prophesies spoken over me. Only they weren't general oracle of Delphi study in ambiguities. They had specific content: 'such and such a thing is going to happen to you by such and such a date. Here's what God wants you to do, blah blah blah.' And in terms fulfillment of the discernible content of the specific date, they were 0 for 40. Not one came to pass, not one! And at some point in there I said 'you know, I'm going to live my life by what it says in the Word, because I know the Spirit has superintended that."- R.C. Sproul

—> What Paul is commending here is the proclamation of the gospel, not the enduring practice of speaking forth new revelation each time the church is gathered together.

Contrast: Better than Tongues

Without interpretation, speaking in tongues is only speaking mysterious things to yourself that neither you nor anyone else understands (v. 2-5)

Essentially, without interpretation, speaking in tongues is as useless as instruments playing a monotone note—just unhelpful noise!

Their speaking was not to be characterized by ecstatic utterance and meaningless babel. It was to be intelligible.

The Corinthian obsession with tongue-speaking (without regard to interpretation) revealed they were not concerned with edifying one another, only in exulting themselves!

The key:

1 Corinthians 14:12 NKJV

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

1 Corinthians

What was the purpose of tongues? (v. 14-25)

Tongues were not for a private prayer language

Paul sees no benefit in prayer or worship where the spirit is disengaged from understanding.

He says that he would rather speak 5 words of understanding than 10,000 words in an unintelligible tongue.

Tongues were a sign to unbelievers of the authenticity of God’s work in the church

Yet the use of all gifts needed to occur in an orderly way for the benefit of all