1 Corinthians 14:1-19

Applebury's Comments

Text

1 Corinthians 14:1-19. Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6 But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? 7 Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? 9 So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification. 11 If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me. 12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 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. 16 Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all: 19 howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Commentary
Misuse of the Gift of Tongues (1-19)

Follow after love.Paul wrote First Corinthians to correct the disorders in the church. One of the most serious of these was the misuse of the gift of tongues. Jealousy over the possession and use of the gift was causing faction and division in the body of Christ. To correct this misuse of the gift, Paul showed the brethren a most excellent way, the way of love. In chapter fourteen he discusses two more serious misuses of the gift of tongues: (1) The unrestrained use of the gift without considering the necessity of edifying the church. This was to be corrected by properly using the gift of interpretation of tongues, that is, by translating the message spoken in a foreign language for the benefit of the whole church that all might be edified. (2) All speaking in tongues when the church came together. This resulted in such confusion that men who did not possess the gift or unbelievers who might be present would say that they were mad. This misuse of the gift was to be corrected by following the rules which Paul gave so that all things might be done decently and in order.

yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts.They were to pursue the course that love points out and to seek eagerly the things that belong to spirit. There would be no problem over these gifts if love governed their use. The gracious consideration of others forbids the spirit of jealousy that divides the body of Christ and prohibits the selfish use of the Spirit-distributed gifts that overlooks the need of the whole church for edification. These gifts were to be done away when they had fulfilled their intended purpose; but while there was a need for them in the church of the first century, they were to be desired and used according to the principle of love and regulated by the rule which the apostle gave for their use.

While Paul wrote to correct the misuse of the gift of tongues, he did encourage its proper use as indicated by the following:

a)

Desire earnestly spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). While prophecy was to be preferred because of the need of the church for edification, the gift of tongues was not prohibited.

b)

I would have you all speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5). There is no suggestion here that he was attempting to discourage the use of this gift.

c)

Since edification is the essential purpose of the gifts when used in the church, Paul says, Let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret (1 Corinthians 14:13).

d)

Paul thanked God that he used the gift of tongues more than all of the others, but he said that he would rather speak five words to instruct the church than ten thousand in a tongue. This clearly implies that if the foreign language was used in the church it had to be translated for the edification of those who did not understand. See 1 Corinthians 14:19.

e)

Tongues are a sign to the unbelieving (1 Corinthians 14:22). That's why its use in the church was prohibited unless the foreign language was translated that the church might receive edification.

f)

When they came together each one had, among other things, a tongue or an interpretation. Paul says, Let all things be done unto edifying (1 Corinthians 14:26).

g)

Paul gives rules for the correct use of tongues and other gifts (1 Corinthians 14:27).

h)

Desire earnestly to prophecy, and forbid not to speak with tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39). If nothing else were said in the entire chapter on the matter, this would be sufficient to prove that the assumption that the apostle was trying to discourage the use of the gift by the church at Corinth is not valid.

i)

In the divine purpose of the gifts, they were to pass away when the perfect revelation had come. Until that time, they were to be used in accordance with the regulations given by Paul to prevent their misuse.

but rather that ye may prophesy.The emphasis on prophecy did not forbid the use of the gift of tongues. Prophecy was speaking forth the message of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit as well as predicting events to come. Peter uses the expression, the word of prophecy to refer to the message proclaimed by the apostles (2 Peter 1:19). Since the message of the prophet was spoken in the language of the people for their edification, there was no need for translation. The message spoken while using the gift of tongues could be made equal to prophecy in edifying the church by translating the foreign language in which the message was spoken.

he that speaks in a tongue.The gift of tongues which was distributed by the Holy Spirit enabled one to speak in a foreign language without previous knowledge or study. This was demonstrated on the Day of Pentecost when all heard in their own native tongue. It cannot be claimed, therefore, that the apostles while in a state of ecstasy were uttering unintelligible speech-like sounds. There is no indication that Paul used the term tongue in chapter fourteen to mean anything other than what it means in chapter twelve or in Acts two. Some have assumed that the gift at Corinth was different since the message had to be translated for the edification of the church. But tongues were for a sign for unbelievers throughout the apostolic period while the New Testament was being committed to writing. The unbeliever could understand the message spoken in his own language, but it could not edify the church unless it was translated. It is not possible to translate unintelligible sounds into intelligible language; nonsense cannot be interpreted so as to make sense.

Claims are made today that some perfectly sincere people who may utter speech-like sounds while under emotional stress are speaking in tongues. These persons, it is claimed, are speaking in a foreign language; others may attempt to interpret what is being said. There are several things that should be considered in an attempt to evaluate this claim:

a)

The Bible is the final, complete, and authoritative revelation from God. The modern missionary to a foreign land must learn the language before he can successfully work in the language of the people. Some missionaries even claim to have the gift of the Spirit to overcome the language barrier; nevertheless, they must patiently learn the language just as anyone else. This, it seems, invalidates their claim to be under the power of the Spirit of God.

b)

The providence of God, which any faithful Christian can see by looking back over the pathway of his life, is not to be mistaken for direct guidance by the Spirit such as that enjoyed by the apostles. The light for our pathway is the Bible. God's blessings do accompany the one who walks in its light. See Ephesians 1:7-10. The story of Joseph illustrates this truth in a beautiful way (Genesis 45:1-5). The light that guided him during the long period of trial in Egypt came from the moral instruction and knowledge about God which he received in his father's home. Later, as he looked back over his life, he was able to see the hand of God in the things that had happened to him.

c)

The ability to speak in tongues was given to the apostles when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. They in turn were able to impart these gifts to others upon whom they laid their hands. No one can claim to have contacted that source of transmission of the divine power today.

d)

There is no point in attempting to speak in a tongue since the Bible must be translated into the languages of the world to be understood by the peoples of the world. One of the greatest of the missionary efforts today is the translation of the Word of God into the languages of the world that all may read the message of salvation and hope in their own tongue.

e)

Paul made it clear that the gifts were not to be used except by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching. In the light of this rule, one of two things is certain: Their attempted use in the church today is wrong, or the Bible is not the completed revelation of God's will.

f)

Speaking in tongues today is often carried on in the churches today in the absence of an interpreter. This is in violation of the regulation laid down by Paul for the use of the gift at Corinth. It is evident that the Holy Spirit would not lead one to do a thing today that violates what He caused to be written in the Bible.

speaketh not unto men, but unto God.The gift of tongues, it seems, could be used by the one who possessed it to speak to God, although its primary purpose was to convince the unbeliever that God was speaking to him through this means. The message could not benefit those who did not understand it. Evidently men could use the gift in speaking to God if they so desired, but in doing so they left the church without edification unless they translated for the edification of the church. This was to be done by the speaker himself or by some other person who possessed the gift of interpretation. The one who used the gift of tongues was to pray that he might interpret for the benefit of those who heard him speak.

in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.Some translators have assumed that the word spirit in this context refers to the human spirit as it does in verse fourteen where Paul says, My spirit prays. But the gift of tongues was given by the Spirit of God. The one who used it was speaking under the power of the Spirit; his spirit was directed by the Holy Spirit. It seems better, therefore, to translate this verse, in the Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, he speaks mysteries. RSV so translates. The mystery that was spoken was that which would have forever remained secret if God had not made it known through His Spirit to the inspired apostles and prophets. See comment on 1 Corinthians 2:7.

he that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself.This definitely implies that he understood what he was saying under the power of the Holy Spirit. If edification for the church required that a message spoken in a foreign language be translated, it is evident that the edification of the one using the gift of tongues required his understanding of what he said in the tongue.

rather that ye should prophesy.By translating the message spoken in a foreign language that was for the primary benefit of the unbelieving foreigner, the whole church might receive edification. If this was like pagan jargon uttered in ecstasy, how could it be so translated as to edify the church or anyone else?

greater is he that prophesieth.See comment on 1 Corinthians 12:31. The prophet was of greater assistance to the church than the one who spoke in a tongue unless he translated the message spoken in a foreign language. This was contrary to the view held by some of the Corinthians who seemed to feel that the Lord had elevated those who had the gift of tongues above their fellows. This spirit of arrogance was causing strife and division in the church. The reminder about the superior value of prophecy should have had a wholesome effect on those who were striving for power and position through the misuse of the gift of tongues.

if I come to you speaking in tongues.This is the first of three arguments for the necessity of using the gift of tongues in such a manner that the church might be edified. It plainly implies that the message spoken in a foreign language had to be translated for the benefit of the church. Paul indicated that it was necessary for him to speak by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching in order to help the church. This he could not do unless the church understood what he was saying; therefore, the message spoken in a foreign language had to be translated to be of benefit to the church.

pipe or harp.The second argument implies the very same thing. There must be a distinction of sounds made by pipe or harp for one to know what was piped or what was played on the harp. Just so, the message spoken in a tongue had to be translated for the church to understand what was said. The use of the bugle illustrates the same need. If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare for war?

by the tongue.This is the third argument in the series. While some think of the tongue as the gift of tongues, the context seems to indicate that it is the human tongue as the organ of speech. It corresponds to the other instruments that make sounds to communicate intelligible messages such as the pipe, the harp, or the bugle. It was necessary to use the human tongue, just as it was the lifeless instruments, in such a manner that the message spoken could be understood. To speak a foreign language that was not understood by anyone present was to speak into the air. Therefore, the message spoken by the gift of tongues (as it was uttered by the human tongue) had to be translated in order that the church might understand and be helped by it. Language has one purpose: to present a message that can be easily understood. The Corinthians were misusing the gift of tongues by failing to translate so that the church might receive edification.

I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian.That is, a foreigner. Paul is thinking of the one who speaks a foreign language and who would be like a foreigner to him if he did not understand the language that was spoken.

seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.This is the conclusion of the first series of arguments. The gifts are not to be used in the church for the private benefit of the one who possessed them. But this was being done in the church at Corinth with the result that the church was being divided over the gifts which were intended to benefit all the church.

pray that he may interpret.This begins the second series of arguments for the necessity of interpreting the message spoken in a foreign language. The first series proved the necessity of edifing the church through using the gifts. It also implied the necessity of translating messages spoken in foreign languages. The individual who used the gift of tongues was to pray that he might also interpret. This would indicate that the message was capable of being translated into the language of the people.

if I pray in a tongue.This is the first point in the three-fold argument for the necessity of translating the message spoken in a tongue so that the church might understand. Paul says, If I pray in a foreign language my spirit prays. As an intelligent being he prays under the control of the Holy Spirit. Since the gifts were distributed the Spirit of God, we are to understand that the Holy Spirit exercised control over the spiritthe personof the one who was praying. Paul assumes a situation in which one might speak without the message being understood by the hearer. But the speaker himself would also need to understand what he was saying under the control of the Holy Spirit or his understanding too would not be fruitful. Such praying wouldn-'t help even the one who prayed. What was one to do in such a situation? Paul answers his question. I will pray with my spirit (under the control of the Holy Spirit) and I will also pray with the understanding (by translating the foreign language). The same applies to singing, for he was to sing under the control of the Holy Spirit and to translate that he might understand. This shows that the one who used the gift had to understand what he was saying just as those who heard had to understand to be edified.

he that filleth the place of the unlearned.This is the second argument for the necessity of translating the message spoken in a tongue. By unlearned we are to understand that Paul meant the one who did not possess the gift of tongues. See footnote in American Standard Version. The word signifies one who did not belong to a class of specialists. Peter and John were called ignorant and unlearned men by their persecutors (Acts 4:13). They were not school men and they were not priests, but it would be wrong to think of them as ignorant in the sense in which we use the word. There were some in the church at Corinth who did not have the gifts. Paul was thinking of such people in this case. What were they to do when they heard some one speak in a foreign language? How could they say Amen if they did not know what was said? It was necessary to translate that all might understand. Some think of the unlearned as being outsidersnot members of the church. The contrast is between those who did have the gift of tongues and those who did not. It would seem, therefore, that by unlearned Paul is speaking of the church members who did not have the gift. The point of the argument is the same which ever view of the word is taken.

the other is not edified.The purpose of the gifts was to edify those who heard. Even the gift of tongues that was primarily a sign for the unbeliever was to be translated for the benefit of both the speaker and the one who heard.

I speak with tongues more than you all.This is the third point in the argument for the necessity of translation. Far from discouraging the use of the gift, Paul says that he used it more than all. But he placed a limitation on its use: it had to be translated if it was to be used. That is why he says that he would rather speak five words in the church that he might understand than ten thousand in a tongue (foreign language) that no one understood. He argued for the necessity of translating the message spoken in a foreign language. The misuse of the gift of tongues was to be corrected by observing two rules: Use them to edify the church and, in order to do this, translate messages spoken in a foreign language.