Prophesy Builds Up and Comforts the Church Paul had already told the brethren that love is most important to Christians. Yet, he thought it was good for the Corinthians to desire the gifts that might aid them in furthering Christ's cause. Preaching by inspiration, or prophesy, was the greatest gift... [ Continue Reading ]
One Must Be Able to Discern To Learn If the people in the assembly could not learn from what was said, what good was the sound? Even in musical sound, there must be a distinct sound made in order to make sense. There are certain rules of beat and harmony that must be followed. A child just playing... [ Continue Reading ]
Desire That Which Builds Up the Church Thus, Paul urged the Corinthian brethren to desire the spiritual gifts that would be most useful. Particularly, he urged them to desire those gifts which would be good for the edification of the church. The word for "edification" originally meant "(the act of)... [ Continue Reading ]
Tongues, A Sign to Unbelievers Paul appealed to the members of Christ's family at Corinth to quit being like children desiring the prettiest gift. Instead, he wanted them to be like men using good judgment to choose the most useful gift. Yet, he wanted them to take a child's approach to differences... [ Continue Reading ]
Orderly Worship It seems there was a large group of Christians desiring to participate in the worship. There were apparently several who possessed each of the gifts. Paul knew it was the Lord's will that everything done in worship to God be done in a manner that would edify. So, he said to limit th... [ Continue Reading ]
Paul's Appeal To God's Order The brethren at Corinth were acting as if God's word was revealed only to them and they could tell everyone else how to act. Actually, Paul had brought them the word. Those who were Spirit inspired would have been able to confirm Paul's Spirit inspired message as truth.... [ Continue Reading ]