Edify the Church
1 Cor 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Love is an eternal attribute of God. Faith and hope are for us to hold onto. God is love and love is eternal.
1 Cor 14:1 Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Cor 14:2 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.
1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
This is the purpose of prophesy in the church
1 Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Tongues speak to God through his Spirit. You are encouraged, but others do not benefit. It is better to speak encouragements to the Church, by the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 14:5 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.
Many put great value on tongues, in Church Paul says its better to speak intelligible words.
1 Cor 14:6 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?
Tongues, are least in a church service. The evidence of God's Spirit is love. Love is greater then the gifts.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Father God, give us your love above all else. May we love with great love. The world needs love and your word.
Babel
1 Cor 14:7 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?
As a horn player I may make up some interesting sounds, but when in Church I must blend in with the other music. Even with an instrument, we must play in the melody or harmony to edify the body. If you want others to sing with you, you need to play a tune they know. Likewise in the Spirit, the Spirit speaks the words of God, and brings understanding. An unknown tongue may thrill your heart, but to the body of Christ it may just be confusion.
1 Cor 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
A trumpet call is a message to the troops. One call may be to go forward, another to retreat, still another to go to sleep , and another sound to wake up by. If the soldiers are needing to know, it must be a clear sound. Likewise the word of God should be spoken with sureness, so that the church will all understand.
1 Cor 14:9 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.
You want attention? You want others to be impressed with your spiritual gift? In church speak the word of God so none will miss out on being enriched in Gods message. You have control over your voice. The Spirit is a gentle Spirit and submits to your will.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
1 Cor 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
1 Cor 14:11 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.
Speaking in a foreign tongue to someone to understand is one way tongues are used. But speaking where no one can understand, is not a way to build up the church.
So we are given more illustrations of the need to speak edifying words, and not just babble. Babel separates, as in the tower of Babel. Language was confused and the people divided.
Gen 11:9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
When all speak the same language, and the Lord is lifted up, the body of Christ is in unity and all benefit. Lord build your church by your means. Your word of truth will build the Church. Help us to be builders with you.
Interpret
1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Lord, let nothing be done for self or vain glory. Search our hearts to show any wrong in our ways. Lead us and give us your grace to minister so that it is you that is lifted up.
1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Go ahead pray in private for your own benefit but in public if you pray in tongues, be sure that you also can interpret so that the church body may benefit. Paul speaks a lot about tongues, it must have been a problem in the Corinthian Church. It can be a problem today as well. Let us listen to the voice of the spirit in Paul's words.
1 Cor 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1 Cor 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
1 Cor 14:17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
I remember the first time I attended a church with tongues being spoken, with no interpretation. It brought confusion. Is God's Spirit a Spirit of confusion? The next week I went to a church with no tongues where the pastor proclaimed the gospel and the truth of God's word, my heart was encouraged. Thats where I stayed for 13 years. Let everything be done in order, tongues must be followed by the word of prophecy. You want the Lord to build the church, not empty it by your will.
1 Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1 Cor 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Paul spoke in tongues and was grateful, but he spoke the word of God in public. I am thankful for the word that Paul spoke, it has greatly edified the body of believers. Still; when alone he benefitted by speaking in his "heavenly language" . At times we are overwhelmed, not knowing how to pray;
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Yes, the Spirit searches our heart, God hears and we receive comfort and answers to our needs according to the will of God. Lord hear our unspoken requests, those we know not how to pray for. We know that thou art worthy to receive and to heal our brokeness. Also, Lord help us to speak words of encouragement to others. Bring your wisdom to us through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name.
Speak God's Word
1 Cor 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Be not children in understanding;
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Wise as serpents, satan is as a serpent, be wise knowing his ways of attack, but not wise in knowing evil words.
Understanding as men, with dove like gentleness; Holy Spirit filled mature believers of Christ Jesus.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
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.
Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little:
Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
1 Cor 14:22 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.
Tongues were poured out at Pentacost, words of praise in the language of the devout, yet unbelieving Jews who were present.
Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
The interpretation of prophecy in the church is to build the believers. The unbelievers need the gospel message taught.
1 Cor 14:23 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?
Yes, the presence of tongues, even with prophetic interpreation is not edifying to a non-believer.
1 Cor 14:24 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:
1 Cor 14:25 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.
Hbr 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Faith comes by hearing the word of God ;
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Lord Jesus may your word go forth with clarity so that people may hear of your glorious salvation from sins and receive new life by your Holy Spirit. Increase our understanding of you Lord, so we may be shining lights to a lost and bound world. Let your blessings replace satan's curse on mankind; Amen.
Order
1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Paul describes a normal Corinthian service, A Psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation. All these are to encourage and build the Church.
1 Cor 14:27 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.
1 Cor 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Here is the will of God concerning the use of tongues, no more than two or three in a service, one after another followed by an interpreter; someone with the gift of prophecy or a word of knowledge. If there is no interpreter, be silent in church. Let him speak as a prayer language when in private to himself and God, and he himself will be edified.
1 Cor 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Again order is needed in the service for prophecies; 2 or 3, and let their words be judged by the scriptures. They should not contradict the written word.
1 Cor 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
Once the first has finished, let another speak. Do not start again another word, it is not to be a contest or turned into a debate (my thoughts). All things in order.
1 Cor 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1 Cor 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. We are never overcome as if posessed. The Spirit is gentle. Let all things be done orderly, not in confusion and strife, but in peace.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Let everything in church be for the building of its people. Psalms and hymns of praise and worship, sung in unity. The gifts given for the building of the church. Remember we are not overcome, we are in control of our spirit. Let nothing be done for vanity or show. Love is the greatest of the gifts, love others and seek to help them by speaking God's words. Judge every spoken prophecy by the word of God. do not be led astray by eloquence, be sure that what you believe is of God; if not sure set it aside. Order in the church, not confusion, but do not quench the Spirit. This should not happen if our focus is on Jesus and not on self.
Authority
1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1 Cor 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
This is about order and submission to authority to avoid confusion in a church service. A wife being familiar with the husband may speak when it is not appropriate. Does this mean that the women should never speak in church? Paul has already assumed the right of women to pray or prophecy publicly (11:1-16); Yet a wife should be obedient to the husband.
1 Cor 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
As well, women (or men for that matter) shouldn't be disrupting meetings with questions or chatter.
Let me go into this carefully, looking at other verses about women in church.
The woman should give honour to her own husband. Not to other men in particular.
Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
God has established an order in the church and in the home.
1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.
Order again is important. A woman may teach under the authority of a pastor.
1 Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Tim 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
We must avoid the controlling "Jezebel" spirit.
Remember Lucifer left his place of authority, and God has judged him. We should submit to authority, it is God's will. Everyone is under anothers authority. Does God consider women inferior? Lets look at another verse.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paul himself laboured with women preaching the gospel.
Phil 4:3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
These things are said to keep godly order.
1 Cor 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
1 Cor 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Some think it "spiritual" to defy God's order; others rationalize a "call" to do so. Paul rejects the truth of these possibilities. If we are really spiritual, we will stick to the Word of God, and not go "beyond" it.
1 Cor 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
1 Cor 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Paul summarizes his words. Tongues is not be despised; it has its place in personal devotion; but the gatherings of the church should emphasize prophecy and mutual blessing. God wants order when the church comes together; but the order of something living, not something dead!
Gary
1 Corinthians Chapters
1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 1 Index